Swans prevail over Thunder by a point

Swan Districts went a giant leap towards securing the minor premiership in the WAFLW competition for 2021 and kept its undefeated season alive in the process, but only by a solitary point against Peel Thunder on Sunday.

Swan Districts came into the game at Steel Blue Oval on Sunday afternoon looking to keep its unbeaten record in the 2021 Optus WAFLW Premiership Season going, and while they did it in the end, the Thunder certainly made them earn it.

Peel are the reigning premiers in the WAFLW competition and this could very well end up being a Grand Final preview based on what a tremendous contest it was, and how close it turned out to be.

Swans made a flying start by kicking the only two goals of the opening quarter and on their home turf, the 14-point lead at quarter-time did appear to have them right on track to keep their undefeated streak rolling.

But the Thunder were able to hit back in the second quarter and kicked three goals themselves. Swans added just the one and that saw the home team take the narrowest of leads into the half-time break, up by a solitary point.

That set the stage for a cracking second half and it didn’t disappoint starting with Swan Districts kicking away again in the third quarter. Swans managed to kick the only three goals of the term to head into three quarter-time having opened up a handy 20-point advantage.

But the Thunder aren’t the reigning WAFLW premiers for nothing and with the breeze at their back, they threw everything into the final term attempting to hand Swans their first loss of the season and to keep the race for the minor premiership alive with a month to go in the season.

That saw Peel manage the only three goals of the final term and keep Swan Districts to just the one behind, but ultimately Swans managed to hold on to win by the slimmest of margins, 6.6 (42) to 6.5 (41).

The result all but wraps up top spot for Swan Districts with a month remaining in the season and with them sitting three games clear, but Peel remains in second position as well despite the defeat.

Tara Stribley ended up kicking two goals for Swans with Mikayla Bowen, Mikayla Hyde, Kellie Gibson and Sarah Wielstra adding one each.

Best on the afternoon for Swan Districts were Bianca Webb, Dana East, Melisha Hardy, Tara Stribley and Aimee Ralph.

Swan Districts' WAFLW Reserves were also at home but took on East Fremantle on Sunday, and lost to the Sharks by two points.

Stephanie Graskoski, Lexi Chapman and Fiona Boucher kicked a goal each for Swans while Kareema Kheder, Renee Holwill, Naomi Baker and Shannan Rene were among the best performers.

And in the Youth Girls Rogers Cup, Swan Districts also played host to East Fremantle and went down by 20 points to the Sharks.

Sarah Price, Kyra Daitlyn and Tyla Fitzgerald kicked a goal each for the black-and-whites while the best players included Kyah Chirichilli, Caitlyn Appleford, Tahlia Lough, Hayley Sykes and Danielle Wright.

OPTUS WAFLW PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 11

SWAN DISTRICTS                              2.3          3.3          6.5          6.6 (42)

PEEL THUNDER                                 0.1          3.2          3.3          6.5 (41)

SWAN DISTRICTS: Goals – Stribley 2; Bowen, M Hyde, Gibson, Wielstra.

Best – Webb, East, Hardy, Stribley, Ralph.

PEEL THUNDER: Goals – Bartlett 4; Hayes, Phillips.

Best – Duffy, Wrigley, Rowley, Bartlett, Davidson.