Round 4 Men’s Match Report v Peel Thunder

Swan Districts went heartbreakingly close to the first win of the WAFL Men’s season before Peel Thunder kicked the last goal of the game at Steel Blue Oval to snatch the five-point victory.

Both Swans and the Thunder came into the Round 4 match up at Steel Blue Oval on Saturday afternoon looking for their first wins of the season.

They last played one another twice in the finals series of last year where Swans won the qualifying final match up before the Thunder won the preliminary final on the way to securing the premiership.

Swans hit the lead midway through the fourth quarter when Evan Smith kicked truly, but it was Peel who managed the last goal of the game to end up winning 7.11 (53) to 6.12 (48).

It was all single goal scorers on the afternoon for the black-and-whites while Zane Trew made a strong debut with Swan Districts in his first game of the season with the former West Coast midfielder racking up 24 possessions to go with five tackles and a goal.

Jye Chalcraft also finished the game with 24 disposals, Jesse Turner 24, Brad Lynch 21, Jackson McLachlan 21, Aidan Clarke 17 and Lewis Tester 17 while Troy Yukich had 32 hit outs in the ruck.

Swan Districts were hunting a first win of the season against the also winless Peel but it was the Thunder who got the perfect start in under a minute with a goal to dropped Docker Bailey Banfield.

Peel then added three more and had four goals in the first 12 minutes with Swans not managing to get on the board until Josh Cipro kicked an impressive goal from the 50m arc at the 24-minute mark.

Leigh Kohlmann added another to cut the Thunder lead to 11 points at quarter-time before it took 16 minutes for either team to kick a goal in the second term, and it went the way of Zane Trew in his first game of the season for Swan Districts.

But Peel did kick the last two of the half to go into the main break leading by 20 points before Jackson McLachlan kicked the first goal of the second half to bring the margin back to 12 points.

Jiah Reidy added another before three quarter-time with Swans getting back within three points and then Evan Smith put them in front when he kicked truly at the 12-minute mark of the final term.

However, Peel kicked the last goal of the game thanks to Jack Sears a few minutes later to secure the eventual five-point victory.

First up on Saturday morning was the Reserves contest and Swan Districts maintained its unbeaten start to the season with the 13.14 (92) to 7.5 (47) victory against Peel Thunder.

Swans started strongly with three goals to one in the first quarter before another three to two in the second term to go into half-time leading by 20 points.

Swan Districts then finished on fire with five goals to two in the last term on the way to the 45-point win to improve to a perfect 4-0 record to open the 2025 season.

Cruz Woodley kicked five goals from 13 kicks in the win for Swans with Henrick Alforque and Lewis Zolnier-Owens booting two apiece.

Ayden Cartwright racked up 29 possessions, Otis Harvey 26, Luke Cotellessa 22, Brenton Hilton 21, Ethyn Kane 18 and Brodyn Fitzgerald 18.

Then on Sunday afternoon, the Colts were in action and were also victorious at Steel Blue Oval with the 16.11 (107) to 8.6 (54) win against Peel Thunder.

After three goals apiece in the first quarter, Swans started to pull away with four goals to two in the second to head into half-time leading by 13 points.

It was then four goals to one in the third term and five to two in the fourth with Swans going on to win by 53 points to improve to a 2-2 record so far this colts season.

Blake Kelly produced a brilliant all-round display in the win with 30 possessions and three goals while Cooper Dudfield and Levi Calcott kicked three goals each too, and Liam Hrabar and Leon Kickett two.

Leo Steed also picked up 25 possessions, Sam Feast 22, Hrabar 22, Kickett 17, Calcott 17, Tylah Williams 14 and Jamie Sidebottom 14.