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East Fremantle’s past and present players reminisce over Shark Park memories

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Ben SmithPerthNow - Fremantle
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Current East Fremantle captain Mathew Jupp with club legend Eddie Donnes reminisce over Shark Park.
Camera IconCurrent East Fremantle captain Mathew Jupp with club legend Eddie Donnes reminisce over Shark Park. Credit: Andrew Ritchie/Perth Now

East Fremantle legends past and present have reminisced about the historic East Fremantle Oval as it prepares to host its last WAFL game in its current form.

The Sharks will play their last game at the oval for two years this Saturday against West Perth, with the club set to play at the WACA for the next two years while their home undergoes a dramatic refurbishment.

The $25 million development will see the the old stands come down and new clubrooms constructed, while the entire precinct will connect the various sporting clubs who call it home.

While the makeover is much-needed, there is a tinge of sadness from former premiership player Eddie Donnes and current club captain Matthew Jupp about leaving behind their spiritual home until 2023.

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Donnes recalled the days when East Fremantle Oval and the former Richmond Raceway were the beating heart of the town.

“Years ago, they had the racetrack right across the road, so it made it a big day when the Richmond Raceway was going,” he said.

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“You had the football and people would stay here in their droves and then go straight across.”

Jupp’s first game at Shark Park came in 2013 and ended with him taking a heroic mark on the back flank late in a tight-fought win over West Perth.

“There was about 30 seconds to go and we were about five points up, the ball was travelling down the flank here and I read the play a bit early and headed back and took a mark in front of my opponent to seal the match,” he said.

Jupp counted the 2014 WAFL semi-final, when the Sharks kicked nine goals in the final quarter to steal a 25-point win over West Perth, as one of his favourite moments at the ground, although he said his best memories were never witnessed by big crowds.

Jupp and Donnes.
Camera IconJupp and Donnes. Credit: Andrew Ritchie/Perth Now

“The memories that last with you are the funny little moments you have at training with your teammates,” he said.

“I look at the ground and I don’t necessarily think too much about the wins and the losses; I think about all the times I spent out here kicking with my teammates, having a laugh, putting our arms around each other and the friendships I’ve made.”

Donnes’ highlights during his 12-year, 157-game tenure were the derbies, when Fremantle football lovers would pack the oval like sardines in a can.

“There was so much competition between South Fremantle and us that the derbies would attract everyone,” he said. “You couldn’t move; it was full house.

“You played to the audience a bit and they were great games, quite vigorous and no room for the light-hearted.”

Donnes said the oval became a sacred site because of the hard work of volunteers who kept the headquarters in working order and helped contribute to the community around the club.

Jupp said while the refurbishments could entice talented players to the club, the most important aspect was the retention of East Fremantle Oval as their home.

“It has that sense of place and belonging for a lot of people,” he said. “A lot of the guys that came before us, they still hold on to this place.

“It’s fantastic that it’s getting a facelift, but what’s going to be dear to a lot of the people is we’re staying here and holding our ground.”

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