The East Fremantle Football Club will officially return to its traditional Moss Street home this week, following completion of the East Fremantle Community Park project.
The East Fremantle Football Club will officially return to its traditional Moss Street home this week, following completion of the East Fremantle Community Park project.
It marks the end of a challenging period for the Sharks, who’ve been forced to train and play at several venues across the Perth metropolitan area since the end of the 2021 WAFL season.
Despite being faced with this off-field adversity, the Sharks completed a senior men’s and women’s premiership double in 2023.
The $34 million project – $26 million of which came fromy the state government – will not only benefit the Sharks, but also the neigbouring East Fremantle Bowling and Croquet clubs.
On Saturday, the state government confirmed an additional $340,000 would be provided to the Sharks, assisting in not only with relocation and fit-out costs, but also a new video scoreboard, signage and temporary gameday facilities.
“The players will soon be training and playing there and enjoy new modern facilities that will not just benefit the club, but also other sporting groups and the wider community,” Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman said.
"After a three-year absence, Sharks' fans will be delighted to see their team play once again at their original home ground in the 2025 season.
"I commend both the Sharks club and local council for finalising negotiations over lease and licence agreements so that footy can now return to East Fremantle in a brand new, state-of-the-art facility that will be a valuable asset for the local community.”
Last week, the Sharks announced that chief executive Addy Wetzler had departed the club, following mutual agreement with its board.
Adrian Bromage, a former Sharks player and 1998 Sandover medallist, has been appointed interim CEO.
Mr Bromage was appointed general manager of football operations on September 25, following the departure of longstanding official Brad Dodd to the Perth Football Club.
Appointed during November 2023, Mr Wetzler arrived at a time when the club was navigating the revenue stream challenges – for example, food and beverage-based income – that come with not having a permanent home base.
This was highlighted in the club’s 2023 annual report by both president Mark Stewart and acting CEO David Depane.
During the 2022 and 2023 seasons while playing at the WACA Ground in East Perth, the Sharks posted losses of $322,104 and $139,924, respectively.
As of October 31 2023, East Fremantle’s retained earnings fell to $15,081 from $154,849, while its total cash and cash equivalents rose from $258,450 to $370,093.
The financial year for WAFL clubs runs between November 1 and October 31.
Throughout the 2024 season, the club had hoped to return and play home games at East Fremantle Community Park, however this didn’t eventuate due to a multitude of factors, including ongoing negotiations with the Town of East Fremantle regarding sub-lease and licence agreements at the venue.
