Swans lose another tight one to open 2019

DESPITE another competitive showing, Swan Districts fell just short of victory on Saturday with East Perth holding the Black Ducks goalless to claim the eight-point win at Leederville Oval.

Swans have now done plenty right in the opening two rounds of the 2019 WAFL season, especially at the defensive end conceding just 13 goals, but for the second straight week they fell heartbreakingly short of victory.

Swans did lead at every change, but couldn’t quite manage a goal in the last quarter for East Perth to end up winning 7.14 (56) to 7.6 (48).

New Swan Districts recruit George Hampson kicked two goals from 18 possessions for the Black Ducks with Brayden Noble also booting those two early majors.

Swans' back-line held up well again conceding just even goals and that was led by Tony Notte at centre half-back who had 20 possessions, six marks and four inside-50 entries.

But also as part of that defensive unit, Riley Garcia had 16 possessions, Warrick Wilson 14, Graydon Wilson 11 and Alex Howard 11.

Corey Gault battled hard for 19 possessions, six marks and 10 hit outs while Nathan Blakely was impressive with 16 disposals, four tackles, 26 hit outs and a goal.

Steven Payne collected another 17 possessions for Swans, Josh Cipro 17, Matt Riggio 16 and returning co-captain David Ellard 14 to go with go with six tackles. 

East Perth didn’t take long to get the first goal thanks to usual defender Tom Gorter before Swan Districts responded when George Hampson booted his first major in black-and-white.

Shaquille McKenzie then put East Perth back on top but it was Swans who finished the first quarter the better ending it with two goals to Brayden Noble in the space of three minutes.

There might have been five goals between the teams in the first quarter, but they would only manage nine more the rest of the afternoon.

Swan Districts did maintain their edge holding a one-point advantage at half-time after two goals apiece in the second term. Swans then kicked two goals to one in the third quarter to remain on top by seven points at three quarter-time.

But East Perth kicked the only two goals of the last quarter thanks to Will Maginness and Sharrod Wellingham to secure the eight-point victory.

Meanwhile, it was tough going for Swan Districts' reserves at Leederville Oval with East Perth ending up winning 12.18 (90) to 2.10 (22).

Swans kicked a goal in just the first and last quarters of the game courtesy of Lachlan Riley and Atem Deng.

There were some impressive individual performers for the Black Ducks, though, with Chad Daniels amassing 29 possessions, Mitch Mackenzie 28, Jordan Bill 20, Riley 18, Patrick Italiano 18, Callum Garcia 16, Joe Hinder 16 and Tom Whittle 16.

Swan Districts had to come from behind but the Black Ducks kicked four goals to one in the last quarter to score a 16-point colts win against East Perth at Steel Blue Oval on Saturday.

East Perth made a flying start to the contest with seven shots to one in the first quarter, and four goals to one, to head into quarter-time leading by 21 points.

It was then three goals apiece in the second quarter with the Royals still leading by 21 points at half-time.

But Swans were able to turn the tide in the third quarter with the only two goals while holding the Royals scoreless.

The Black Ducks maintained that momentum in the last term kicking four goals to one with Swan Districts taking out the 10.8 (68) to 8.4 (52) win against East Perth.

Ayden Cartwright booted three goals for Swan Districts from 12 possessions.

Kade Wallrodt, fresh off kicking the winning goal in Round 1, racked up 33 possessions, five marks, five inside-50 entries and three tackles for Swans on Saturday.

Zane Trew also gathered 26 disposals, Brenton Hilton 22, Ethan Nordahl 21, Ty Sears 21, Ashley Brockbernd 19, Jake Pasini 18 and Seb Bright 17 to go with 10 tackles and a goal.

SWAN DISTRICTS        3.2    5.2    7.4    7.6    (48)
EAST PERTH            2.3    4.7    5.9    7.14    (56)

SWAN DISTRICTS – Goals: Hampson, Noble 2; Blakely, Maguire, Simpson.
Best: Notte, Blakely, Hampson, Gault, Garcia, Cipro. Payne.
EAST PERTH – Goals: Maginness, Wellingham, Eaton, Gorter, Johnson, McKenzie, Magro.
Best: Blee, Kerr, Ramsay, Scott, Ajang, Maginness, Gorter.