Round 14 Men’s Match Report v South Fremantle

Swan Districts took the challenge right up to the league-leading South Fremantle in the WAFL Men’s clash on Saturday and despite the 13-point loss, there was plenty to be encouraged about.

Swans returned to Steel Blue Oval on Saturday afternoon fresh off a victory against West Perth at Joondalup last week as they attempted to take it up to a South Fremantle team on a seven-game winning streak.

South Fremantle did end up recording the 9.11 (65) to 7.10 (52) victory but Swan Districts fought hard the entire way against a team that is now three games clear in top spot.

Jackson McLachlan kicked three goals on the day for Swans to go with 19 possessions, six marks and four inside-50 entries.

Swan Districts captain Jesse Turner produced another strong performance in the midfield racking up 34 possessions with Jye Chalcraft finishing with 33 disposals, Aidan Clarke 29, Josh Cipro 27, Max Chipper 19, Bryce Watson 18, Lewis Tester 17 and Nathan Blakely 17 to go with 21 hit outs and seven tackles.

It took more than 11 minutes for the game’s first goal to be kicked and that went the way of South Fremantle thanks to Isiah Winder. Just three minutes later and the Bulldogs added another courtesy of Lewis Rayson.

Leigh Kohlmann couldn’t quite convert his two opportunities in the opening term for Swans but Jehb O’Donohue did kick a goal for the home team just before quarter-time to limit the South Fremantle lead to four points.

Swans then drew level with the first goal of the second quarter thanks to Jackson McLachlan before the home side hit the front with Tom Smith also kicking truly.

South Fremantle responded through Haiden Schloithe to draw scores back level before he kicked a second just four minutes later.

The Bulldogs kept that momentum going with goals also to Matthew Parker, Brandon Donaldson and Zac Strom heading into half-time with the 28-point lead.

Swans again started the second half strongly with a goal to McLachlan and it took almost 10 minutes for another to be kicked, but that also went the way of the black-and-whites courtesy of Otis Harvey and it was back to a 14-point ball game.

South Fremantle did steady with a late goal to Parker to take a 22-point lead into three quarter-time but Swans wouldn’t go away and also kicked the first of the final term through Bryce Watson.

South Fremantle did seal the deal with a goal to Kyle Russell in his first league appearance of the season before Swans kicked the last goal of the game when McLachlan booted a third.

The Colts contest opened the day’s action at Steel Blue Oval and that saw South Fremantle score the 10.8 (68) to 6.6 (42) victory against Swan Districts.

It was a flying start from the Bulldogs as they kicked five goals to one in the first quarter on the back of nine scoring shots to just one from the black-and-whites.

South Fremantle also kicked the only goal of the second quarter to head into the half-time break leading by 31 points before Swans hit back in the third term.

Swan Districts kicked four goals to two in that quarter and by three quarter-time had cut the South Fremantle lead back to 18 points.

The Bulldogs responded with two goals to one, though, in the last quarter and went on to score the 26-point victory with Swans now sitting in fourth position as a result but still a game clear of the fifth placed Claremont.

Blake Kelly ended up with 27 possessions for Swan Districts while Leon Kickett gathered 23 disposals, Jamie Sidebottom 19, Tylah Williams 18, Ace Wareing 17, Soren Feast 17 and Cooper Rullo 16.

The Reserves contest was up next and that saw South Fremantle also score the 10.5 (65) to 6.5 (41) victory against Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval.

It was three goals to two in favour of South Fremantle in the opening quarter before the Bulldogs then kicked five goals more in the second term with Swan Districts adding another two.

That saw South Fremantle take a 23-point lead into half-time and then it was a goal each in the third term with the Bulldogs still leading by 21 points by three quarter-time.

It was then one more goal each in the final quarter and that saw South Fremantle come away with the 24-point victory with Swans now sitting in third position on the reserves ladder with an 8-4 record to be only percentage out of second spot.

Henrick Alforque kicked two goals from his eight kicks in the game for Swan Districts to be his team’s only multiple goal scorer.

Brenton Hilton racked up 37 possessions as well for the black-and-whites with Luke Kelly collecting 28 disposals, Brodyn Fitzgerald 24, Connor Blakely 24, Chase Loftus 22, Luke Cotellessa 17, Jacob Coniglio 17 and Chayse Martinson 16.