Swans Struggle In The Wet At Joondalup

SWAN Districts struggled to ever get going in wet conditions at Joondalup Arena on Saturday losing to West Perth but the black-and-whites remain in the WAFL finals hunt heading into a crucial clash with East Fremantle.

West Perth and Swan Districts have become fascinating WAFL rivals over the past 15 years, but Saturday at Joondalup Arena wasn’t another chapter in that with the Falcons continuing their impressive form and Swans continuing to struggle.

The Falcons delivered a dominant performance at home to Swans on Saturday to record their second win against the black-and-whites in 2018 on the back of losing last year's elimination final at Steel Blue Oval.

West Perth had the only 10 scoring shots of the opening quarter to assert its dominance early and the Falcons never let up. They went on to lead by 25 points at quarter-time, 38 points at half-time, 73 points at three quarter-time and then to end up winning 16.22 (118) to 4.4 (28).

Swan Districts has now lost six straight matches to slip to a 5-9 record but they are just one game outside of the top five despite that.

It was another tough afternoon for Swan Districts and there's no hiding from the fact that the absences of Jarrad Blight, David Ellard, Todd Banfield, Levi Ridley and Kirk Ugle who were all set to be key players at the start of 2018 is being felt.

Brayden Noble, Josh Cipro, Matt Riggio and Steven Payne kicked a goal each for Swans.

Tobe Watson was again a shining light for the black-and-whites despite the scoreboard with 27 possessions and five tackles. Jesse Turner continued his good form too with another 24 disposals and seven marks.

Rhys Palmer finished with 21 touches, Freddie Clutterbuck 21, Steven Payne 20, Corey Gault 18, Graydon Wilson 18, Brayden Hackett 17 and Matt Riggio 17.

Nathan Blakely did fight hard in the ruck ending the afternoon with 21 touches and 23 hit outs.

West Perth's dominant afternoon began with complete control in the opening quarter with the Falcons having the only 10 scoring shots. They kicked three behinds before the opening goal of the game thanks to Tyler Keitel at the 16-minute mark.

Shane Nelson and Andrew Strijk then also kicked goals before quarter-time with West Perth putting up 3.7 with Swan Districts unable to score.

Swans did have the first two scoring shots of the second quarter, a behind to Brayden Noble and goal to Josh Cipro, but West Perth then again took over and with goals to Keegan Knott, Keitel and then Mills' first of his league career the Falcons went into half-time leading by 38 points.

It was more of the same to start the second half with West Perth having the opening five scoring shots including a goal for Strijk. Corey Chalmers, Strijk, Jay van Berlo and Mills then also added goals heading into three quarter-time with the Falcons well in control with a 73-point advantage.

Things really opened up for both teams in the final term with West Perth kicking 5.6 and Swan Districts 3.1 as the Falcons cruised to the 90-point victory that shot them to second spot on the WAFL ladder.

It was a thrilling contest in the reserves on Saturday at Joondalup Arena with Swan Districts ending up winning by the solitary point against West Perth.

West Perth did kick the only goal of the first quarter and the Falcons still managed to lead by two points at half-time in difficult conditions with the rain falling, and wind gathering momentum.

West Perth then kicked two more goals to one in the third quarter to lead by 10 points at the last change before Swan Districts finished strongly with three goals to one in the final term to win 6.5 (41) to 5.10 (40).

Kirk Ugle returned after a couple of weeks' absence from Swan Districts to kick two goals while Taryce Stewart also booted two majors.

Albert Dean collected 35 possessions for Swans, Ethan Maguire 28, Chad Daniels 21, Jacob Coniglio 17, Jackson Slater 17 and Callum Garcia 17.

It was a crucial colts contest to open the day at Joondalup Arena on Saturday with West Perth trying to stay in the finals hunt and Swan Districts trying to hold on to a top three position to secure a finals double chance.

West Perth made an impressive start during the cold and wet of the early morning kicking the only two goals of the first quarter.

Things then opened up in the second term for both teams with the Falcons and Swans kicking four goals apiece with West Perth head into half-time leading by 13 points.

Swan Districts took over in the third quarter looking strong kicking the only three goals of the term to heading into three quarter-time with a four-point advantage.

But West Perth responded well in the last quarter kicking five goals to two to come away with the 11.10 (76) to 9.6 (60) victory to improve to a 5-9 record to be just a game outside of the top five while Swans slip to 8-6 in fourth spot.

Ben Taylor kicked three goals for Swan Districts and Ethan Nordahl two to go with 17 possessions, five marks, four tackles and four inside-50 entries.

Brenton Hilton gathered 20 possessions for Swans, Kade Wallrodt 19 (nine tackles), Jackson Beck 17, Joe Hinder 16 and Patrick Farrant 15.

Swan Districts has now lost six games in-a-row and they now head to East Fremantle Oval on Saturday to play the bottom placed East Fremantle. It's a must-win game for the black-and-whites if they want to remain in the finals hunt for 2018.

SWAN DISTRICTS                             0.0          1.2          1.3          4.4          (28)

WEST PERTH                                      3.7          6.10        11.16     16.22     (118)

SWAN DISTRICTS – Goals: Noble, Cipro, Riggio, Payne.

Best: T Watson, Turner, Blakely, Rogers, Payne, Palmer.

WEST PERTH – Goals: Strijk, Keitel 4; Mills 3; van Berlo 2; Chalmers, Nelson, Knott.

Best: Black, Nelson, Meadows, Strijk, Manzone, Keitel, Wilhelm, Keunen.