Round 15 WAFL Men’s Match Report

Round 15 WAFL Men’s Match Report

Swan Districts put themselves in a strong position for a third straight WAFL Men’s win to close in on a finals spot before the reigning premiers South Fremantle finished with the only four last quarter goals.

Swans arrived at Fremantle Community Bank Oval having won their last two games over West Perth and East Perth to breathe life back into their season ahead of taking on the reigning premiers at their home ground.

Swan Districts kicked the first two goals of the game and went on to lead by 10 points at quarter-time, by 15 at half-time and still by 13 at three quarter-time.

But South Fremantle then kicked the only four goals of the last quarter to secure the 7.10 (52) to 5.11 (41) victory to leave Swans now in eighth position with a 5-9 record.

The two key forwards for Swan Districts, Leigh Kohlmann and Caleb Ernst, both kicked two goals from limited opportunities finishing with a combined 10 kicks and five marks to turn that into the four goals from the five the team kicked.

Clint Hinchliffe continued his standout first season in the WAFL and racked up another 33 possessions for the Swans with Josh Cipro racking up 22 disposals, Chase Loftus 20 (13 tackles), Blake Kelly 20, Bryce Watson 19, Ethyn Kane 17 and Jackson McLachlan 17.

Leo Steed was back into the line-up for Swans with the 18-year-old having 15 possessions, five marks and four tackles while they did lose captain Jesse Turner in the first half to a hamstring injury.

Swan Districts were looking to keep their momentum going when taking on South Fremantle on their home deck and Leigh Kohlmann helped them to the first goal of the contest at the 10-minute mark.

Kohlmann also kicked another five minutes later and Swans were still leading at quarter-time by 10 points as a result.

Caleb Ernst then stretched that lead to 16 points with the first goal of the second quarter before Otis Harvey and Ernst again also kicked goals before half-time with the black-and-whites still leading the reigning premiers by 15 points at the main break.

Neither team managed to kick a goal in the third quarter with Swan Districts kicking four behinds and South Fremantle six points and as a result the Swans were still leading by 13 points at three quarter-time.

However, it was then all the Bulldogs in the last quarter kicking the only four goals and overrunning the Swans to secure the 11-point victory.

The day’s action at Fremantle Community Bank Oval got underway with the Colts match up that saw South Fremantle beat Swan Districts 15.16 (106) to 4.7 (31).

Swan Districts managed just the one goal in the first half and two in the second with the Bulldogs ending up winning by 75 points to retain their hold on top spot while the Swans are now in sixth position with a 4-8 record.

Jude Stanley kicked two goals on the morning for Swan Districts with Reeve Sheldon finishing with 24 possessions, Xavier Daniel 22, Hayden Young 21 and Charlie Crotty 18 while Brayden Lee-Gowland had 24 hit outs in the ruck.

That led into the Reserves match up and Swan Districts were able to turn the tide on South Fremantle with the 14.19 (103) to 10.11 (71) victory.

Swans started on fire with four goals to one in the opening quarter before another five to three in the second term to go into the half-time break with the 30-point advantage.

Even with South Fremantle kicking three goals to one in the third quarter, Swan Districts had another four goals to three in the last term on the way to the 32-point victory.

Swans remain perfect now this season in the Reserves by improving to a 12-0 record as a result to be four games clear of West Perth who sit in second position.

Lewis Zolnier-Owens ended up kicking four goals in the win for Swan Districts from his eight kicks and five goals with Ned Reiger, Basil Hart and Ryan Hall all kicking two goals apiece.

Tom Cathcart also finished with 25 possessions, Ayden Cartwright 23, Harley Cummings 21, Luke Cotellessa 19, Soren Feast 19, Dylan Matson 18, Chayse Martinson 18 and Tyrone Virgo 18.