By PETER ROWE
Experience proved vital at Treeby Oval on Saturday as veteran Delane Edwards orchestrated a Fremantle performance that was too good for the Rockingham Sharks in round two of the Fuel to Go and Play Premiership.
Edwards was everywhere, organising in attack, calling out on defence and ensuring the Roosters controlled the ruck as they battled through a tough opening 20 minutes to eventually run away with the game.
The Sharks defended their line superbly early as the home side pushed for more points after halfback Ishmael Leilua had opened the scoring in the sixth minute.
Having lost captain Ben Bolth with a pec injury and second rower Ashton Hure with a wrist injury the Sharks struggled.
Leilua scored again 19 minutes later as the Sharks, who had little possession, dug deep.
A penalty made it 12 before big centre Ei Beattie grabbed his first of the day and another disciplinary error saw Fremantle kick two more on the halftime siren.
The second period opened as the first had ended, with another penalty kick – and Beattie’s second.
Gethin Thomas then showed his pace as a forward, running 40 metres to add to the score with another penalty pushing the margin out before the hard working Chris Siddons crossed for a consolation try.
Thomas again outpaced the Sharks defence for his second and Tuakana Williams finished the scoring for the day.
“That was much better than last week,” player-coach Duane Butler said.
‘Our error count dropped and we controlled the ruck well.
“Delane was influential, as he so often is. He continues to surprise as he gets older.”
Butler said the game was tight at the start and midway through the second half they ran out of a bench so had to make some positional changes.
“That was why Gethin found himself further out and he capitalised on Sharks errors to score twice. He had a very good game.”
Butler also praised big centre Beattie for his two-try day and halfback Ishmael Leilua.”
“It was good to get a win at home for our sponsors. I think we are more consistent this year, our spine is in place and we have less Fifo players.
“Harry (Debique) at the back is solid and we just capitalised on their errors.”
Errors, Sharks Coach Reece Potter admitted were his team’s downfall.
“We only completed three of 11 sets in the first half,” he said.
“Our defence had plenty of resolve in that half, so there were positives to take from the game, but it was a reality check.
“Freo had a gameplay and stuck to it, we didn’t.”
Potter said he wasn’t too despondent as it was only round two, but there was still plenty of work to be done.
“Jarrad Whitty had a solid game, as did Chris Siddons and young winger Ben Cottam, at only 18, is definitely one for the future. He was impressive.”
