Wins for colts, reserves; loss for league v Sharks

WHILE Swan Districts' league side fell to East Fremantle on Saturday with the Sharks winning their first WAFL match in almost a year, the reserves and colts were impressive scoring strong wins for the Black Ducks.

Swan Districts had every right to come into the game feeling confident. They might have only won once in their first five games of the season, but they had gone agonisingly close in losses to South Fremantle, East Perth, Perth and Subiaco.

Then up against an East Fremantle team who hadn’t won since Round 8 last year and who lost to West Perth by 26 points prior to the State Game break and 91 points to South Fremantle the week before, everything was pointing towards a good day for Swans on their home deck.

It wasn’t to be, though, with East Fremantle a hungry and determined outfit to record its first win under new coach Bill Monaghan.

The Sharks kicked three goals to one in the first quarter to lead by 11 points at quarter-time and then continued on with the job in the second term with another four goals to two to lead by 22 points at the major break.

Swans did fire back in the third term, kicking four goals to one and suddenly it was game on with the Sharks' lead cut to just two points by three quarter-time.

East Fremantle wasn’t going to let this chance slip, though, and went on to win the game 13.8 (86) to 10.12 (72) to end its losing run in style at the expense of the Black Ducks.

Josh Simpson was another player up against his former team and he kicked three goals from nine kicks and six tackles for Swan Districts. Leigh Kohlmann also booted two majors.

George Hampson continued his tremendous form for Swans in his first game against the Sharks, collecting 25 possessions to go with six marks, five tackles and a goal.

Matt Riggio also gathered 17 disposals for the Black Ducks, Jesse Turner 17 and Steven Payne 16.

Swan Districts remains the only undefeated team this WAFL colts season following a commanding 66-point victory against East Fremantle at Steel Blue Oval on Saturday morning.

On the back of winning its first five games of the season under new coach Simon Bergin after playing in last year's Grand Final, Swan Districts continued its momentum with a tremendous performance at Bassendean on Saturday against the Sharks.

Continuing on with the momentum from winning the opening five games of the season prior to last week's general bye for the WAFL State Game, Swans dominated the first quarter against the Sharks.

East Fremantle went scoreless in the opening term while Swan Districts had the only seven scoring shots, kicking three goals to lead by 22 points at quarter-time.

East Fremantle did manage to kick a goal in the second term but the Black Ducks added another two goals to head into half-time leading by 29 points.

It was more of the same in the third quarter with East Fremantle managing just the one behind and Swans kicking another three goals.

Then with five more goals to two in the final quarter, Swans went on to win the game 13.10 (88) to 3.4 (22) to improve to a perfect 6-0 record on the season while the Sharks are now 2-4 with the defeat.

Kade Wallrodt delivered a best on ground performance for Swan Districts finishing with 28 possessions, seven inside-50 entries, five tackles and three goals.

Ben Taylor also kicked three goals for the Black Ducks with Ryan Letessier, Jamison Ugle and Atem Deng all kicking two goals apiece as well.

Seb Bright gathered 27 disposals for Swans, Ethan Nordahl 25, Jak Watson 23, Brock Fisher 23, Kade Screaigh 22, Hudson Babich 20, Brenton Hilton 18 and Letessier 15 to go with 18 hit outs and the two goals.

Then in the reserves, Swan Districts also recorded a strong 11.12 (78) to 7.8 (50) victory against Steel Blue Oval.

Kye Barker kicked three goals for Swans in the win while Brad Fullgrabe and Joe Hinder booted two goals apiece as well.

Chad Daniels compiled 26 possessions for Swans, Aidan Clarke 25, Patrick Italiano 24, Lachlan Riley 23, Callum Garcia 22, Patrick Farrant 22, Albert Dean 21, Jacob Coniglio 20, Freddie Clutterbuck 19 and Jackson Beck 19.

Oskar Matthews battled hard in the ruck too for 13 disposals, 18 hit outs, four marks and four tackles.

SWAN DISTRICTS        1.4    3.7    7.10    10.12    (72)
EAST FREMANTLE        3.3    7.5    8.6    13.8    (86)

SWAN DISTRICTS – Goals: Simpson 3; Kohlmann 2; Hampson, Noble, Riggio, Turner, Howlett.
Best: Hampson, Notte, Turner, Howard, Kohlmann, Riggio.
EAST FREMANTLE – Goals: Ryan, Bennett, Baskerville 2; Kommer, Manning, Strnadica, Jansen, Loersch, Tassone, Murdock.
Best: Kommer, Jansen, Eardley, Davies, Strnadica, Bennett, Baskerville.