Round Twelve
Fremantle Roosters 42 – Rockingham Sharks 36
At times end-to-end football saw points scored at will as both sides played out a full 80 minutes.
“We stayed in the grind in the first half with a late try and were in the game at the break,” Sharks seniors director Ian Wood said.
“A 15-minute lapse after halftime cost us three unanswered tries, which was probably the difference between the two sides.
“But we fought right to the end – which was really positive.”
Roosters and Lions in action / Photo – Libby McMillan
Veteran Delane Edwards was forced off in the first half with a hamstring injury and winger James Anthony had to go off with a rib injury which forced Fremantle player-coach Duane Butler to adjust.
“We reshuffled in the second half and kept in the grind when we had to,” Butler, who scored a double, said.
“I knew Rocky had tries in them and we had to fight at the end for the points as they pushed. I think we defended six sets on our line at one point.
“Their No. 8 (Waylen Anrtonelli) played a blinder and Siddo (Chris Siddons) controlled the ruck. They kept coming at us.
“So I was proud the boys stuck in there for the win.”
Lochlan Christy in action for the Sharks / Photo – Libby McMillan
Backrower Brandon White scored a hat-trick against his old club with fullback Tuakana Rangihaeata crossing twice to seal the points.
Player-coach Pete Worth missed the game, he has been bedridden with flu for three days, but he would have been impressed with the grit shown by the young Sharks team, who have now scored 96 points in three games, without a win.
“We look good in attack and can score points, it’s defensively we need to tight up,” Wood added.
Halfback Dave Quinlin and forward Terrence Rameka crossed as centre Keiron Lawton and gun forward Chris Siddons scored doubles with the visitors losing out on the try count seven to six.
Photo – Libby McMillan