Fast start sees Swans keep winning form going

Swan Districts made a flying start with a six-goal to nil opening quarter and that set up an eventual 13-point win against East Perth to continue their impressive start to the 2021 season.

The WAFL season resumed on Saturday following the week off forced by the COVID-19 lockdown and that left East Perth back at home at Leederville Oval hunting their first win of the campaign up against a vastly improved Swan Districts outfit.

Swans shot out of the blocks quickly with six goals to nil in the final quarter and ultimately that would be enough to set up their eventual win.

But the Royals did outscore them with seven goals to four the rest of the way, but couldn’t quite close the gap fully with Swans going on to record the 10.8 (68) to 7.13 (55) victory.

Jesse Palmer kicked another two goals for Swan Districts to be the only multiple goal scorer for the black-and-whites in the win to take his season tally to 13 to be right in the Bernie Naylor Medal race in his debut WAFL season.

Reigning Sandover Medallist Sam Fisher delivered a best on ground for Swans in the midfield racking up 37 possessions, eight marks and a goal. His fellow 2020 recruit Frank Anderson was terrific as well finishing with 35 disposals, six tackles and a goal.

Josh Cipro continued his strong form this season as well with 25 possessions and seven tackles while Jackson Beck finished with 20 disposals, Lachlan Riley 19 and Jak Watson 15.

Corey Gault was the best big man on the ground with 20 possessions, 28 hit outs, seven marks and a goal in the ruck for Swans while down back, Nelson Waite gave good drive again with 19 disposals.

Eddie Simpson provided a strong target in attack for East Perth and would end up kicking five of the Royals' seven goals for the game from his nine kicks and five marks.

Angus Scott might not be garnering a lot of headlines, but he remains a remarkably consistent big ball winner for East Perth and he racked up another 36 disposals to go with six marks, five inside-50 entries and four tackles.

Aidan Lynch also collected 33 disposals for the Royals to go with five marks, five tackles and five inside-50 entries with Matthew Young gathering 20 touches, Mitch Dobson 20, Nathan Blee 18 and Thomas Edwards-Baldwin 18.

Christian Ameduri worked furiously as well laying 13 tackles to go with 19 possessions and six entries inside the forward 50.

It took little over a minute for Swan Districts to get the first goal of the game courtesy of Frank Anderson.

It took 10 minutes for the next but when Thomas Edwards kicked truly, Jesse Palmer, Corey Gault, Jak Watson and Lachlan Riley all followed soon after to give Swans the only six goals of the opening term and a 37-point advantage that would prove a match-winning lead.

East Perth got its first goal of the game to start the second term thanks to big man Ajang Ajang. Eddie Simpson added his first soon after and when he kicked a second heading towards half-time, it was just a 14-point ball game.

But Sam Fisher kicked a steadier for Swans to give them a 20-point edge to take into the main break.

The Royals peppered the goals to start the second half but only had four behinds to show for it in the opening 10 minutes before finally Simpson was able to kick truly and bring the home team within 10 points.

Palmer's second goal proved a steadier again for Swan Districts but East Perth was now in control and got a goal back through Simpson, but inaccuracy was the only reason they still trailed by five points and hadn’t assumed the lead by three quarter-time.

Simpson's fifth goal to start the fourth term did see East Perth take the lead but it only lasted two minutes before Jiah Reidy put Swans back in front and then Brayden Noble would kick what would be the ultimate sealing goal at the 12-minute mark.

The day started at Leederville Oval with the colts contest and that saw East Perth beat Swan Districts 13.5 (83) to 7.7 (49).

Luke Taylor kicked three goals for Swans and Bryce Watson two while Max Chipper finished with 22 possessions, Lawson Humphries 20, Ben Hewett 19, Ty Sears 19 and Noah Hannan 18 to go with seven tackles.

Then in the reserves, Swan Districts scored a big 13.10 (88) to 3.8 (26) win against East Perth.

Jaxon Saylor kicked three goals for Swans with Jacob Sideris, Jack O'Sullivan and Warrick Wilson all kicking two apiece. Kade Wallrodt racked up 25 possessions, Sideris 23, Denzel More 19, Jack Cox 18, Kade Screaigh 17, Callum Garcia 17 and Patrick Italiano 17.

OPTUS WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 5

SWAN DISTRICTS                              6.2          7.4          8.5          10.8 (68)

EAST PERTH                                       0.1          4.2          6.12        7.13 (55)

SWAN DISTRICTS: Goals – Palmer 2; Anderson, Riley, Fisher, Reidy, Gault, Edwards, Noble, Watson.

Best – Fisher, Anderson, Gault, Waite, Cipro, Beck, Riley, Palmer.

EAST PERTH: Goals – Simpson 5; Ajang, Merritt.

Best – Scott, Lynch, Simpson, Ameduri, Dobson, Robertson, Young.