The Swan Districts Round 7 Wrap-Up

A tough weekend for Swan Districts fans, players and coaches with the Colts the only team able to register a win on the board.

It wasn’t all bad news though, with the women’s League side securing a spot in the 2020 finals series, along with a couple of new goal scorers kicking their first goals in the top sides.

Check out the breakdown of each game below…

WAFL Colts

Josh Middleton and Luke Taylor started where they left off last week, registering the first two goals of the game. In what has been the story of the year so far for the Colts, inaccuracy in front of goal cost them the opportunity to take a big lead into the first break, holding their opponents to just one major while kicking 2 goals 5 behinds.

East Perth were first to strike in the second, tying the game up during the quarter. With the scoring dried up for the Swans, it took a run from Ty Sears across halfback and through the middle to push the ball deep in attack. Jaxon Saylor kicking truly for his first goal to see his side take a six-point lead into the half. Zane Trew showing why he is touted as a high draft pick this season with 18 disposals and 6 tackles at the main break.

The Swans continued their pressure going into attack, Ayden Cartwright striking first with a beautiful goal from deep in the pocket, followed by a Jack Green soccer from the goal square in heavy congestion. Taylors strong lead was causing problems for the Royals defenders, marking strongly in the forward half. East Perth continued to push, kicking goals, including one as the siren sounded, the black ducks retaining a six-point lead into the final term. Playing relentless footy and understanding the importance of doing the 1%ers, the message during the huddle.

Both teams struggled to convert early in the fourth, the home side registering the first goal to bring the game within a point, with just 10 minutes left in the game. The Swans were able to dig deep, with excitement machine Lawrence Tyson taking it beyond a kick, before Dylan Brockbernd put the game out of reach, taking the win EF 6.3 [39] to SD 7.12 [54].

The game was soured by a hamstring injury to Noah Hannan late in the fourth, after a strong game of 21 disposals and 5 tackles. Trew was unstoppable all over the ground, voted as one of the best on the day racking up 31 disposals, 10 tackles and 5 inside 50’s, along with Cian Ehlers and Jehb O’Donohue.

WAFL Reserves

It was nothing short of an almighty start for the Swans Reserves, facing an unbeaten Royals side on Saturday afternoon. Tom Edwards was the first to get on the board, kicking two goals in the opening 5 minutes of the game. His confidence was high early, as he leapt over his opponent on the wing to almost pull down a mark of the year contender. Giacomo Paduano kicked his first goal in Reserves while on the run, before Ryan Letessier converted from 30m out from a free kick. In what looked like a quarter where the visitors would keep their opponents goalless, the Royals converted in red time before the siren.

The wind proved difficult to kick against in the second, with East Perth taking control of the game and capitalising on their opportunities, tying the game at the 18-minute mark, and seeing them up by five at the main break.

The third saw teams trading goals, both missing easy opportunities in front of the big sticks. With the black and whites regaining the lead, only one point separated them going into the last quarter.

A goalless quarter for the Swans saw the Royals use the breeze to their advantage, running out EP 11.9 [75] to SD 7.11 [53] victors.

Tim Oosterhoff, Matt Germs and Paduano were voted as the best on ground for the day.

WAFL League

In a winnable game for the League side, it was East Perth that scored first, rebounding the ball out of the Swans attack and directly into their forward 50m for a goal. Their second coming shortly after. Playing at the opposite end of the ground to where we usually see him, Denver Grainger-Barras showed his versatility up forward kicking, his first goal in league footy and getting his team on the board. With his side down -10 contested possessions at quarter time, coach Adam Pickering was unhappy with the boy’s efforts, letting them know that he expects more from them.

The Royals were able to lock the ball in their forward half for much of the second quarter, the Swans only goal coming against the flow from Nathan Ireland. Small errors in defence cost them, with the home side taking a 16-point advantage into halftime. Sam Fisher was strong to the half, leading all possession getters with 19.

Fisher came out with an even stronger purpose in the third, getting involved early and setting up the first of the quarter. Leigh Kohlmann closed the gap not long after, taking a strong grab and slotting it from 45m out. The Swans pressure inside their forward half was evident, their hard work paying off with Ireland receiving a quick handball from a turnover to put the black ducks up for the first time in the match. The lead then swung back to the Royals before Josh Cipro roved the pack to put his team up by three. A late goal to the home side gave them a three-point lead heading into the final term.

All the Swans hard work was for nothing in the fourth, going scoreless against their opponents five goal haul, to go down EP 11.9 [75] to 6.4 [40]. Fisher ended the game with 37 disposals and 7 tackles receiving best on ground honours, along with Brayden Spackman, Corey Gault and Ireland.

WAFLW Rogers Cup

With a goal of 40 tackles for the game, our youth girl’s intent was obvious from the first bounce. Tyla Fitzgerald was the first to score for the Swans, giving her side a two-point lead going into the first break. The pressure around the ball was so strong for the young ducks that they had almost reached half their tackle goal, with 19 at quarter time.

Their efforts continued in the second, but their hard work went unrewarded on the scoreboard. A late arm injury to Chanel Jetta saw her leave the field, unable to participate in the remainder of the game.

The halftime message was similar to last weeks… Don’t be reactionary and get on the front foot. The message was well received as the girls went on the attack in the third, with Aimee Williams, Abbey Shepherd and Fitzgerald giving them a nice lead leading into three quarter time. A late goal from the Sharks cut the lead back to seven.

In a final quarter that proved hard to score in, it was East Fremantle who were able to convert, tying the game up with just 8 minutes to go. Consecutive goals to the home side saw them run away winners EF 6.6 [42] to SD 4.5 [29].

In a pleasing display, and arguably their best performance of the season, the young Swans were able to tick off all their goals set before the game, including notching up an impressive 50 tackles.

Jaime Henry, Caitlyn Xavier and Williams were voted as the best for the day.

WAFLW Reserves

It was an unbeaten East Fremantle side that faced our Swans Reserves ladies, who showed that they sat on top of the ladder for a reason.

Although the black and whites couldn’t register a score up to half time, their team effort, tackle pressure and basic skills were pleasing.

In what could have seen the ladies drop their heads, knowing they wouldn’t be able to make up the 56 point deficit, they proved that they were proud of the jumper they were wearing, fighting to register their first goal through Taylor Cornwell, while keeping their opponents to just a single major for the quarter.

Finishing the game strong and in high spirits, their defenders stood strong with the ball coming in thick and fast. The backline pressure causing the Sharks inaccuracy of 1 goal 7 behinds in the final term, with East Fremantle winning EF 10.15 [75] to SD 1.1 [7].

Shannan Rene, Caitlin Hill and Tessa Jones receiving best on ground honours.

WAFLW League

The calculations were simple for the women’s side going into their game against East Fremantle… Win and receive the second chance in the finals or lose and be faced with an elimination game.

The start of the game saw the ball parked in the Sharks forward line, before some quick rebounding out of defence saw Mikayla Morrison open the scoring for the Swans. A strong play involving Shannon Matthews and Ash Sharp set Bri Hyde up for her first goal in league football and a 10-point lead going into the first break.

The Swans pressure increased in the second, rebounding strongly out of defence and keeping their opponents scoreless for the term. Strong efforts up forward went unrewarded, with the black and whites able to register just four behinds, to take a 14-point lead into the half.

The Sharks came out with one intent in the third, tackle hard and try turn the game around by niggling at their Swans opponents. With the ball locked in their defensive 50m, the black ducks’ defenders held strong, the Sharks taking 8 minutes to convert their first major of the term. Unable to score, it was the Sharks that took the lead in red time, heading into the final term.

The fourth quarter saw one of the most physical battles of the year. Unfortunately, the Swans had their chances to win the game, but with East Fremantle’s season on the line, it was the home side that took the victory EF 3.8 [26] to SD 3.5 [23]. In what is set to be the grudge match of the year, both sides meet again next week in an elimination final.

Captain Emily McGuire was voted best on ground, along with Eliza Gelmi and Morrison. Gelmi also received the Players Player award as voted by her teammates. Aimee Ralph received the Play of the Game award, after running the ball out of defence, taking three bounces up the wing and setting up a teammate in the forward line.

Round 8

This week sees the men’s teams at home for NAIDOC round, against a Perth Demons side desperate to make finals for the first time in 23 years. With the women’s season completed, our League side head back to East Fremantle to take on the Sharks in an elimination final.

Saturday 5th September

Colts (Men’s)                     10am (Steel Blue Oval)

Reserves (Men’s)             12:30pm (Steel Blue Oval)

League (Men’s)                 3:05pm (Steel Blue Oval)

Sunday 6th September

Rogers Cup (Women’s) Season completed

Reserves (Women’s)      Season completed

League (Women’s)          2:30pm (New Choice Homes Park)