East Fremantle will meet East Fremantle council tonight in a bid to resolve the fence issue that threatens the existence of WA’s second-oldest football club.

The Sharks were given permission last year to play homes games without a fence at redeveloped East Fremantle Oval.

But WA Football has refused to issue an exemption this season, placing the 128-year-old club in potential breach of its licence and its future in jeopardy.

Free public access to matches was part of the State Government funding arrangements to provide $35million to build a new community facility at the ground.

East Fremantle council controls the ground and leases it to the football club.

WA Football instructed East Fremantle last October to install a fence this year if they want to continue to take part in the WAFL competition.

A meeting of WAFL club presidents last week confirmed that stance by a vote of 8-2.

East Fremantle and West Perth were the only clubs to vote against the mandatory fence.

East Fremantle’s auditor has questioned the club’s ability to continue as a going concern if the fence issue is not resolved.

The club’s dilemma is clear – adhere to the fence condition and breach the funding agreement and terms of their lease to operate at East Fremantle Oval, or refuse to install a fence and find themselves in breach of their WAFL licence.

The issue was addressed in East Fremantle’s disastrous audit report that warned the club was in danger of collapse.

Auditor Daniel Papaphotis warned that the club, which reported a surplus of $131,280 last year, has liabilities exceeding its assets by $527,127.

“The club may not be able to meet its obligations as they fall due,” he said.

“These conditions indicate the existence of material uncertainty that may cast significant doubt on the club’s ability to continue as a going concern.”

Mr Papaphotis said the fence was critical to the club’s existence.

“Failure to meet the fencing requirements could result in a breach of the sublease, leading to the termination of the sublease and licence,” he said.

“This would significantly affect the club’s financial position, cash flows and its ability to meet financial obligations.”

East Fremantle CEO Adrian Bromage told Business News the audit warning was real but the Sharks were trying to negotiate a suitable outcome over the fence.

“The refusal of an exemption for 2026 is still under active consideration and dialogue, and achieving clarity on that point remains a priority for the club,” he said.

“The auditor’s emphasis is therefore real and appropriate – it highlights a genuine dependency that we must resolve – but it should be read in conjunction with the alternative revenue strategies the club is actively developing to operate successfully in an unfenced environment.

“Based on factors direct out of the club control, our entire operating model is based on the oval being unfenced.

“This reflects both the funding conditions of the redevelopment and the broader community-access model under which the precinct was delivered.”

East Fremantle were formed in 1898 and have won 30 league premierships – more than any other WAFL club.

IMAGE: FILE