Swans again take down Eagles

SWAN Districts might be asking for more fixtures against the West Coast Eagles moving forward following Saturday's four-point win in a thrilling finish at Steel Blue Oval.

Swan Districts came into Saturday's clash at Steel Blue Oval on a seven-match losing run but that last victory had come against the West Coast Eagles back in Round 7 so the black-and-whites were hoping that the same result could occur in Round 17.

As it turned out, it was a strong and committed performance from Swan Districts and it was a six-goal second quarter that put them on their way. Swans then had to withstand a spirited Eagles fight back in the last quarter to hold on and record the 12.8 (80) to 12.4 (76) victory.

George Hampson was once again tremendous for Swan Districts both when in the midfield and then when getting forward. He finished the afternoon with another 23 possessions and two goals.

Matt Riggio also got forward and took his chances kicking two goals while Aidan Clarke also booted two majors for the black-and-whites.

Warrick Wilson was back from injury for Swan Districts too playing his first game since Round 11 and he was superb with 25 possessions, four marks and two tackles.

Josh Cipro racked up another 22 possessions for Swans with Steven Payne gathering 19 disposals, Mitch Howlett 19, Brayden Hackett 18, Jesse Turner 17, Jackson Beck 16 and returning ruckman Nathan Blakely 14 to go with 17 hit outs.

The Eagles made a strong start kicking the first two goals of the game inside the opening six minutes courtesy of Nick Reid and Jarrod Brander before Swans got on the board through Dylan Smith.

Jackson Beck then added another for Swans before Brendon Ah Chee responded for West Coast. But when Matt Riggio kicked truly just before quarter-time, the home side went into the break leading by two points.

But the Eagles regained the lead quickly in the second term with a goal to Chaz Flint before an immediate Swan Districts response by George Hampson. 

Aidan Clarke then added another for Swans as did Josh Cipro before Clarke kicked a second, Brayden Noble another and Hampson his second and it was the black-and-whites on top by 26 points entering half-time.

It took only 11 minutes of the second half for West Coast to kick three goals from Nathan Vardy, Reid and Mark Hutchings to close to within eight points but Swans did steady with Riggio's second major of the day to still lead by 16 points at three quarter-time.

Tony Notte then put Swans 22 points up with a goal to start the last term but the Eagles were building momentum and finishing the better. They kicked four goals in the space of eight minutes to hit the lead but somehow Swans showed the poise and resilience that has eluded them most of 2019 so far.

In the end, Jesse Turner put them back in front at the 21-minute mark and Swans held on for the spirited four-point victory.
 

The win for Swan Districts snaps a seven-game losing streak since that last up win over West Coast in Round 7 and is the third victory of 2019 for the black-and-whites. They now have three games of the season to go against Subiaco, Peel Thunder and Claremont.

ROUND 17 OPTUS WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON

SWAN DISTRICTS        3.1    9.5    10.7    12.8    (80)
WEST COAST EAGLES        3.3    5.3    8.3    12.4    (76)

SWAN DISTRICTS – Goals: Hampson, Riggio, Clarke 2; Smith, Noble, Cipro, Notte, Turner, Beck.
Best: Hampson, Wilson, Cipro, Howlett, Hackett, Beck, Payne.
WEST COAST EAGLES – Goals: Reid 3; Flint 2; Brander, Vardy, Hutchings, Mutimer, Ah Chee, Allen, Fisher.
Best: Allen, Brayshaw, Reid, Hutchings, Ah Chee, O'Neill.