Beckett dazzles in league debut for East Fremantle

Busselton Football Club product Beth Beckett collected a team-high 15 disposals during her WAFLW debut for East Fremantle on Saturday against Swan Districts at New Choice Homes Park.

It was a towering display from Beckett, who dominated in the corridor throughout her side’s 6.3 (39) to 4.8 (32) win over the black and whites.

The Sharks blooded eight new players for the match — however what they may have lacked in experience, they made up for in pressure.

Only two of Matt Templeton’s players did not lay a tackle in his side’s tally of 59, which ensured Swans players could never quite feel comfortable under pressure.

Both sides were level heading into the final term, however the Sharks’ pressure ultimately swung the game into their keeping. Fittingly, a series of efforts by a determined Beckett resulted in the home side’s final goal, which secured the win.

On Saturday night in Mandurah, reigning premiers Peel Thunder were challenged for three quarters against last year’s wooden spooners South Fremantle, before breaking clear in the final term to run out 8.6 (54) to 3.6 (24) victors.

They might have returned to the port with a defeat, but Bulldogs officials would have been thrilled with Donnybrook’s Jessica Verbrugge who was one of her side’s best.

Eagle-eyed SWFL supporters also would have noticed former Collie Eagles skipper Tahlia Dawson-Gibbs in red and white, having joined the club after relocating to Perth.