Young WAFL Eagles midfielders Xavier O’Neill and Brayden Ainsworth fought against the tide as the East Fremantle Sharks snapped up a 125-point victory today.
Several top-up players were late additions to the undermanned West Coast team, after the squad was hit with copious injuries throughout the week.
But, positive signs were exemplified through the growth of AFL-listed players Xavier O’Neill (one goal, 29 disposals, 3 marks, 9 tackles), Brayden Ainsworth (22, six, one) and Ben Johnson (26, one tackle).
Young ruckman, Callum Jamieson, is also developing well, with 19 hitouts, seven tackles and two marks.
Unfortunately, the side were too undermanned to get the job done, and was eventually knocked down by the Sharks 22.15 (147) to 3.4 (22).
The match started on a high note, with Xavier O’Neill snapping a sensational goal in the opening minute of the match, but the momentum regrettably didn’t last the term.
The Sharks swimming laps around the Eagles, to enter the half time break with 11 goals to the Eagles one.
There was a late opportunity for Christopher Paunich to snap a goal after the siren, and the kick looked strong after connecting well of the boot.
But, while the snap made the distance, it unfortunately swayed off course and hit the post.
In the beginning of the third term the Eagles generated more input inside 50, which resulted in two early behinds for O’Neill.
Eventually, the side snared their second of the match, thanks to a soccer goal from utility Jack Wilson.
Versatile forward Michael Humble also joining the list of goal scorers with one of his own early in the fourth.
However, the Eagles struggled to shut down East Fremantle’s repeat inside 50 entries, eventually succumbing to the side at Shark Park.
WEST COAST: 1.0 1.1 2.4 3.4 (22)
EAST FREMANTLE: 4.4 11.5 15.7 22.15 (147)
GOALS
West Coast: O’Neill, Wilson, Humble
East Fremantle: Marsh 6, Dixon, Murphy 2, Ah Chee, Bockman, Davies, Eardley, English, Jansen, Schoenfeld, Strnadica
BEST
West Coast: O’Neill, Ainsworth, Trew, Wilson, Johnson, Marlin
East Fremantle: Boekhorst, English, Jansen, Marsh, Dixon, Murphy
