The WAFL Eagles fell victim to a fourth-quarter fade out against East Fremantle on Saturday, the visitors falling by 49 points at The Good Grocer Park.

Following a successful pre-season, the reinvigorated Eagles put on a competitive and spirited display against the Sharks, but they couldn’t match East Fremantle’s experience in the 20.11 (131) to 12.10 (82) defeat.

The Eagles started well with a quick play on the wing finding Jack Petruccelle, who kicked the first goal of the game, and his first of five majors for the day.

The East Fremantle defence was tested early by the Eagle’s young and lively forward line, but the Sharks quickly hit back with a nice passage of play through the middle, with debutant Jack Cocking kicking his first goal.

West Coast responded with goals to Petrucelle and Coen Livingstone, while Matt Flynn was dominant in the ruck, finishing with an impressive 51 hitouts.

The second term started in West Coast’s half but quickly shifted to the opposite end seeing Cam Eardley capitalise with a goal, extending East Freo’s lead to 12 points.

Petruccelle hit back scoring his third goal for the Eagles, taking it to a four-point ball game, however the lead quickly extended to 10 points off the boot of Shark’s Rueben McGuire.

West Coast failed to utilise opportunities while McGuire took easily the mark of the day for the Sharks just before half time, extending the margin to 21 points at the main break.

The third quarter opened with two vital goals from Flynn and Luke Yeo for the Eagles, bringing them within nine points, but the Sharks’ Tom Joyce pushed the lead back out to 15 shortly after.

The Eagles held strong at the start of the final quarter but their challenge to remain competitive fell short as the Sharks continued to dominate through the likes of Jono Marsh, Jarrad Jansen, Thomas Bennett, Jack Avery and Cody Leggett.

Flynn finished with a team-high 27 touches, five tackles, four mark and two goals, while Harvey Johnson impressed with 23 disposals, and Bo Allen managed 22 touches, four marks and seven tackles.

EAST FREMANTLE       5.3    9.4    14.7  20.11  (131)
WEST COAST                 4.2    5.7  8.8   12.10    (82)

GOALS
East Fremantle: Jed Hagan (4), Jack Cocking (4), Tom Joyce (2), Rueben Maguire (2), J Marsh (2), Cody Leggett (4), Cameron Eardley, M. Tassone.

West Coast: Coen Livingstone (2), Jack Petruccelle (5), Matt Flynn (2), Luke Yeo, Cooper Brown, J. Shanahan.

BEST
East Fremantle: Jack Avery, Cody Legget, Reuben Maguire, Cameron Eardley, Jack Cocking.

West Coast: Matt Flynn, Harvey Johnston, Coen Livingstone, Bo Allen, Shannon Lucassen.