Round 1, 2021 WAFLW Wrap-Up

On a day that would reach over 35 degrees, it was a hard fought slog for all three sides against Claremont at Steel Blue Oval on Sunday.

With a number of debutants and new faces pulling on the black and white jersey, see below for a rundown on how our teams faired in their first hit out for the year.

WAFLW Rogers Cup

After a 2020 season that saw the Rogers Cup girls able to put just one win on the board, a match against last year’s Preliminary finalists, the Claremont Tigers, was a good test to see how much they’d progressed during the preseason.

After a tough opening quarter which saw them register just a solitary point, an impressive two goal haul in the second from Paige Bower and Porsha Jetta saw them take a 5 point lead into the half.

The hot conditions proved too much for the young Swans after half time, with Claremont turning on a 41-point scoring spree to run out winners; SD 2.3 (15) to CT 6.14 (50).

Ivy Harding was voted best on ground from the coaches.

WAFLW Reserves

If last year’s Reserves Premiers came out thinking that a game against a second-last 2020 Swans side was going to be an easy win, then they couldn’t have been more wrong.

It was a strong, new look black and white Development side that ran out onto the field for Round 1, ready to prove themselves after a solid preseason.

The Swans came out with an attacking mindset in the first quarter, getting their hands on the ball much more than their opponents. Costly turnovers saw Claremont rebound into attack, scoring each time the ball went into their forward 50m, to take a 13 point lead into the first break.

The Swans fought back hard in the second, getting within just 7 points of their opponents, before the ball slipped past the home sides defence to see the Tigers add another major as the siren sounded, maintaining their 13 point leading heading into the half.

As the temperature continued to rise, it was the Swans who took advantage of the Tigers defensive lapse, pouring on 35 points to take the lead for the first time in the game, giving themselves a 3 point buffer heading into the final term.

Claremont proved why they were last season’s champions in the fourth quarter, keeping the home side scoreless in the last to take the victory; SD 7.5 (47) to CT 10.2 (62).

Fiona Boucher and Carla Vidovich were judged best on field for the black ducks.

WAFLW League

Swan Districts vs Claremont is an important game on the WAFLW League calendar, for more reasons than just footy. Teams play for the Dhara Kerr Memorial Cup, to honour one of the best female footballers to have played the game. Throughout the early 90’s, the late Dhara Kerr won almost every football award imaginable and captained her side to their first Premiership in 1995. That same year, after a long battle with mental illness, Dhara sadly lost her life. Following her death, the two teams decided that for the first time they meet in each season, the game will be dedicated in her memory.

After exceptional preseasons, eight debutants could not be denied senior opportunity, making their way into the Swan Districts League side for the first game of 2021.

As the temperature continued to heat up, scoring came hard for both teams in the first quarter, with the only goal going to the Tigers after they slipped behind the Swans defence.

Bella Edgley opened the scoring in second, kicking her first goal in league football, giving her side their first lead of the day. An easy miss by Claremont shortly after saw the Swans rebound quickly out of defence. Pushing the ball up the wing and into their attacking 50m, Edgley kicked her second goal to extend the Swans lead to eight, heading into the main break.

The pressure from both teams proved hotter than the weather in the third, with each side failing to kick a goal. This defensive mindset was on show in the final term, with only one point being scored for the entire quarter to see the Swans take a six point win; SD 2.6 (18) to CT 1.6 (12).

With the efforts from each player making it almost impossible for the coaching staff to award the best two players for the day, Lauren Osborne and Eliza Gelmi were the well-deserved winners, putting on a defensive masterclass across the Swans backline.

Coach, Adam Dancey, said although there was a lot they can work on from Round 1, he couldn’t fault the efforts of the girls playing across all levels.

“It was really exciting to see what they produced today” he said. “We have a lot to build on and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can produce as the season goes on.”

“The great thing about footy is that it if someone has talent and they understand the game enough, age doesn’t seem to be a barrier in seeing them play at a higher level.

“Giving them that knowledge and experience by allowing them to play in the League side creates something that they can take with them, because playing as little as as 10-20 games can really change their football careers.

“As a group, we still need to work on taking the ball from defensive into offense, and that’s something we will look at across all teams.

“All in all, I’m really proud of all our girls and the way they played today”.

With each team now facing a string of three away games, make sure you get down to each match wearing your black and white to show your support for all our women’s sides.

Round 2

Rogers Cup

Sunday February 28^th

3:15pm vs West Perth

Provident Financial Oval

WAFLW Reserves

Sunday February 28^th

5pm vs West Perth

Provident Financial Oval

WAFLW League

Sunday February 28^th

9:30am vs South Fremantle

Fremantle Community Bank Oval