Round 9 Preview - East Fremantle v East PerthFriday, May 12, 2017 - 12:52 PM - by Chris Pike

EAST Fremantle is back at East Fremantle Oval on Saturday in search of its first win of 2017 but ahead of them is a fresh East Perth team coming off two victories prior to last week's bye.

The Sharks enter the clash having lost their opening six games of the season while the Royals did lose their first five matches too, but have since won two before the bye to get things back on track.

East Fremantle's opening two games were especially disappointing with big losses to Claremont and Peel Thunder, but the four defeats since to Perth, Swan Districts, South Fremantle and West Perth have been vastly more competitive despite still being losses. 

East Perth, meanwhile, struggled in the opening five weeks losing to Peel, West Perth, Swan Districts, Claremont and Subiaco.

The 91-point Good Friday loss to Subiaco proved a line in the sand moment it appears for the Royals. Since then they have beaten Perth by 20 points and Peel by 33 before the bye last weekend.

Now all of a sudden at 2-5, East Perth is only one game out of the top five and another win on Saturday over the Sharks would have their finals hopes well and truly back on track.

East Fremantle, meanwhile, won't want its losing run to extend any further and could have another milestone to celebrate.

After Andrew Stephen brought up his 150th game in last Saturday's loss to West Perth, Sean Henson could return to the team this week to play his 100th match with East Fremantle.

The clash is the first meeting between the two teams this season but in each of the past two years, they have split their contests.

It's no surprise that while winless, East Fremantle is the lowest-scoring (68.3 points) and highest-conceding (113.2) team in the competition. But East Perth isn’t too much better on attack going at 68.7 points a game but are significantly better defensively at 86.1.

Despite an improved last quarter against West Perth in Round 8, East Fremantle is still conceding 39 points a game over fourth terms this season, and being outscored by 22 points in them across the campaign.

East Fremantle could make several changes from its team last week that lost to West Perth by 35 points also at East Fremantle Oval.

Henson was outstanding in the reserves with 29 possessions and three goals to knock down the door to be selected to play his 100th game this week.

Jye Clements, Josh Cuneo and Ben Harding and Alex Howson are the other players in the mix for selection with East Fremantle. Harding was especially impressive in the reserves last week with 35 disposals and two goals.

Liam Anthony again goes out of the team for the Sharks after returning for just the one game. Alex Moreno is also out of the line-up.

Unless there is a late change to the West Coast side to take on the Western Bulldogs at Domain Stadium on Friday night, East Perth's team should feature all three Eagles emergencies Lewis Jetta, Will Schofield and Mark Hutchings.

Ruckman Jonathon Giles will also return for the Royals after losing his place at the Eagles at the expense of Fraser McInnes who likely was in career-best form prior to the bye.

Luke Partington will also be back for the Royals after missing the win over the Thunder a fortnight ago with Jack Hick, Mitch Lague, Callum Hart and Jordan Snadden the other players in the mix at selection.

With East Fremantle looking for its first win of 2017 and East Perth out to make it three straight wins, there plenty on the line at Shark Park on Saturday.

EAST FREMANTLE (0-6, 9th) v EAST PERTH (2-5, 7th) – EAST FREMANTLE OVAL, SATURDAY 2.15PM
Selected teams, live stats
Broadcast – HFM (107.3FM)