Improved experience, fitness, skill the focus for SharksWednesday, March 14, 2018 - 10:24 PM - by Chris Pike

IT'S fair to say 2017 went anything but to plan for East Fremantle but coach Rob Wiley is buoyant over the debutants they blooded and after identifying that they need some experience while improving their skill and fitness levels, he's confident of a vastly improved 2018.

The Sharks did at least avoid the wooden spoon last season with a 61-point victory in the final round against the finals bound Swan Districts. That was a rare glimmer of joy in a year that only included the three victories though.

Things were especially tough in the first half of the season culminating in the WA Day Foundation Derby loss to South Fremantle by the tune of 145 points.

That meant East Fremantle's first nine losses came at an average of 57.1 points a game which saw them only average a score of 64.7 points while conceding 123.8.

Things did improve in the second half of the season somewhat. East Fremantle's last eight losses were only by an average of 29.9 points while they did win three of the last 10 games in that stretch scoring 74.4 points and conceding 84.5.

Things were improving by the of the season adding to the fact that the Sharks did give the chance to 20 debutants with an eye to the future. It wasn’t all doom and gloom by the end of the campaign.

The great positive for East Fremantle on top of a strong recruiting drive has been the retention of players too. Aside from the retirement of Andrew Stephen and departure of Matthew Watson, really there are no players moving on who had much of an impact in 2017.

Then there are the arrivals including East Fremantle products Jordan Snadden, Jarrad Jansen and Jonathon Griffin along with Blaine Boekhorst, Nick Kommer and Cameron Loersch coming off being on AFL lists.

As much as adding experience and talent was a priority for Wiley, really what he wanted over summer was to improve East Fremantle's fitness and skill level coming into 2018 and he's confident that has happened.

"I just felt our skill level and fitness levels were down a little bit last year along with the fact we needed a little bit more experience too so those were the three main things," Wiley told 91.3 SportFM.

"We've been really happy with the way the group has taken on the challenges and they want success, they don't want to finish second last. They are doing everything in their power to make that upward trend for East Fremantle."

Nobody at East Fremantle was willing to tolerate what happened in 2017. That's why so many steps have been taken to improve rapidly heading into 2018 both in terms of the addition of personnel and improving the players remaining.

That doesn’t mean there weren’t some positives from last year and the 20 debutants that did get game time they otherwise might not have is something that Wiley will certainly feel helps the Sharks moving forward now.

"There were a lot of things we took out of last year and sometimes you are confronted with lots of challenges. We certainly had a lot of challenges last year and unfortunately for the East Fremantle hierarchy, members, supporters and the club as a whole, it was tough," he said.

"But the positive part was that we played 20 debutants, which is unheard of. South Fremantle finished third and played 29 players for the whole season. When you put that into perspective we were able to develop a lot of young kids but at the same time knew that we would have to recruit to help them. 

"Our off-season has been pretty aggressive and we've been able to add really great experience and talent to this development of the young boys that has happened in 2017. We also knew we had to get fitter, more skilful and understand our style of footy much better. 

"At this stage we're happy with the way things have gone but there's an air of confidence with the new blood coming and the progression of these young players."

The Sharks recruiting drive coming into 2018 has been significant with Griffin, Jansen and Snadden returning after stints in the AFL while Kommer, Loersch and Boekhorst are on board too with James Bristow returning to add height up forward and to back up Griffin in the ruck too.

Wiley isn't hiding from the fact that he's delighted with the new arrivals at East Fremantle.

"Half of them are East Fremantle boys and want to come back to support their club. It's been great to get those guys back, in particularly Jon Griffin who is going to be our captain for this year. He just offers so much in leadership and skill, but most importantly he's an East Fremantle player," he said.

"When you go on your recruiting campaigns, if you can get your old players back it makes a big difference. Unfortunately we missed out on getting Rhys Palmer, but we were able to get Griffin, Jarrad Jansen and Jordan Snadden. 

"Add that to the class of Blaine Boekhorst, Nick Kommer and Cameron Loersch, and we are happy with what we've added. 

"We also have a few returning players like Jimmy Bristow who in my first year in 2016 was a big, strong ruckman cum forward. He took a year off to travel but is back bigger than ever. We can add depth to the club in that manner also."

The Sharks have a new captain in 2018 with former Adelaide and Fremantle ruckman Griffin taking over the captaincy on his return to the Sharks full-time.

The fact that former captain Jamie McNamara is still playing is another significant bonus too for Wiley along with Liam Anthony and Brock O'Brien who missed most of 2017 through injury.

"Jon Griffin will be our captain, Matthew Jupp who has been in the leadership group the last couple of years will be vice-captain and Cam Eardley and Jonathon Marsh will be the deputies. We believe that's a good blend of experience and youth," Wiley said.

"We've got the likes of Jamie McNamara and Liam Anthony who just want to concentrate on their footy while being part of a successful East Fremantle side. It's a bonus for us to have those blokes still keen to play and the same with Brock O'Brien. 

"Our last two Lynn Medallists in Brock O'Brien and Liam Anthony played a total of nine games last year so they are both back raring to go. There are a lot of positive things, which doesn't guarantee success, but there is a good feeling down at Shark Park."