Premiership and Personal Milestone on Jupp’s RadarThursday, August 15, 2024 - 9:32 AM

East Fremantle premiership captain Matthew Jupp could have a double reason to celebrate at the end of this incredibly tight WAFL season. 

With the reigning premiers pushing to win back-to-back flags, Jupp is also closing in on his 200-game milestone. 

“Yes, it's possible that Grand Final day will be my 200th,” Jupp said. 

“I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate a milestone than winning a premiership, albeit the 200 would mean very little in comparison to team success. 

“We'll see how it plays out, but to be honest my eyes are firmly set on the week-to-week space. 

“We've got some big games ahead of us, including this week against an in form East Perth side, so I can't look too much further than that.” 

Jupp has done the numbers to calculate whether reaching a double century is achievable this year. 

“It's a bit confusing but basically I'll finish the home and away season on 197 games (196 WAFL League Games) (1 Foxtel Cup League Game) then if I play three finals, I'll reach 200,” he said.? 

Whether that milestone comes this year or in 2025, it would be a proud moment for the defender who turns 31 next month. 

“It's feels like 200 is a pretty significant one, especially at this level with shortened seasons compared to the AFL,” Jupp said. 

“To be honest, it would mean a great deal for me to get there as this football club has given so much to me and to be a 200-game player at the club would be one of my greatest achievements.” 

Coming off an impressive win over Swan Districts, the Sharks finish their home and away season with matches against the Royals followed by the Eagles. 

“It does feel like we are finding our best form at the right time of the year,” Jupp explained. 

“We were fairly inconsistent early in the year but when we brought our best, we really showed our strength. 

“It feels like we are just more consistent in the past few weeks and that's with both performance but also personnel. 

“It helps being healthy at the right time of the year.” 

In fourth position, East Fremantle has its sights on grabbing the double chance to give the club its best chance of winning consecutive premierships for the first time since 1945-46. 

“It's important to finish top three and history shows that,” Jupp said. 

“I think the quirk of this year’s competition is how even it is, and I think any team can win the premiership from any position in the five. 

“The challenge is finishing as high as you can to give yourself a better chance.” 

Jupp is yet to confirm whether he’ll play on in 2025, but Sharks supporters will be buoyed by his appetite for the game. 

“I've been a year-by-year prospect for a while with all that is happening outside of footy,” Jupp revealed. 

“On the footy side of things, my body, mind and form are still strong, and I genuinely love playing WAFL football, so I have a desire to play for a lot longer. 

“I'll assess it once the dust settles on the season and make a call then.”