Two Wins Over Bulldogs To Open Swans' Pre-Season

SWAN Districts' preparations for the 2018 WAFL season heated up on Saturday with the opening official pre-season matches against South Fremantle with wins for the colts and reserves while the league side lost in a nail-biter.

The build up to Round 1 against Perth at Lathlain Park on Saturday March 31 is now in full swing after the official pre-season fixtures began on Saturday.

That saw Swan Districts fixtured to take on South Fremantle at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

The day started well for the black-and-whites with the colts winning 6.12 (48) to 6.11 (47). Swans' reserves then also beat the Bulldogs 11.9 (75) to 5.13 (43) before it was another tight affair in the league match up with South Fremantle finishing strongly to win 9.8 (62) to 8.12 (60).

The league contest was a rematch from last year's first semi-final at the same venue between the two teams.

That game didn’t quite go to plan for Swans but it was a strong 2017 season from the black-and-whites just to reach that far having beaten West Perth in the elimination final the previous week.

Now Saturday was the first proper hit out under new coach Adam Pickering and it started well for Swans who kicked three goals to one in the opening quarter to lead by 14 points by quarter-time.

It was two goals apiece in the second term with Swan Districts still leading by 12 points at the main break.

South Fremantle did close the gap with three goals to two in the third quarter, but Swans were still on top by seven points by three quarter-time.

South Fremantle continued the momentum in the last quarter, though, with three goals to one to end up winning the thriller against Swan Districts by two points.

Earlier, Swans made a strong start in the reserves contest with five goals to two to lead an inaccurate Bulldogs by 11 points at half-time.

It was then another impressive third quarter from the Daniel Wulf coached Swans reserves team with five goals to two in the third term as they opened up a match-winning five-goal advantage.

There was then one goal kicked apiece in the last quarter with Swans running out 32-point victors over the Bulldogs.

And to start the day, Swan Districts made a slow start in the colts contest with South Fremantle kicking the only two goals of the first quarter and holding Swans to 1.8 by half-time.

That saw the Bulldogs lead by 13 points at half-time and two goals apiece in the third quarter still saw the home team leading by 15 points.

Swans finished on fire, though, with the only three goals of the last quarter to come from behind to win a thrilling contest by a point in Greg Harding's first match back at the helm.

Swans now take a break from official pre-season action this Saturday before hosting Claremont on Saturday March 24 at Steel Blue Oval.

SWAN DISTRICTS PRE-SEASON FIXTURES
SATURDAY MARCH 10 – FREMANTLE COMMUNITY BANK OVAL
COLTS
Swan Districts 6.12 (48) defeated South Fremantle 6.11 (47)

RESERVES
Swan Districts 11.9 (75) defeated South Fremantle 5.13 (43)

LEAGUE
Swan Districts 8.12 (60) lost to South Fremantle 9.8 (62)

SATURDAY MARCH 24 – STEEL BLUE OVAL
COLTS
Swan Districts v Claremont, 8.30am

RESERVES
Swan Districts v Claremont, 11.00am

LEAGUE
Swan Districts v Claremont, 1.45pm

By Chris Pike