Swans still with another crack at WAFLW decider

SWAN Districts couldn’t quite overcome Peel Thunder in Sunday's WAFLW second semi-final but having dominated the home and away season means they have a second chance now to reach the Grand Final.

Swan Districts dominated the 2021 Optus WAFLW Premiership Season winning their opening 13 matches in-a-row to secure the minor premiership and to get to play the second semi-final at home at Steel Blue Oval on Sunday.

However, Peel was the team to end the undefeated streak of Swans back in Round 14 and the Thunder won last year's WAFLW premiership while Swan Districts played in the 2019 Grand Final.

So both teams have been around the mark in the WAFLW competition and the stage was set for a fascinating second semi-final on Sunday and even more so with the tough wet weather conditions thrown into the mix.

Peel quickly worked its way on top during the first quarter despite playing away from home. The Thunder had three scoring shots to one in the opening term and managed the only goal to lead by seven points at quarter-time.

Swan Districts kicked three further behinds in the second quarter and with Peel only managing one point themselves, the lead for the Thunder was back to just five points at half-time.

Swan Districts bombarded the goals in the third quarter desperate for that elusive goal, but it wouldn’t eventuate. Instead the home team managed just the six behinds but with the Thunder only adding a point, scores were all locked up by three quarter-time.

However, Peel kicked its second goal of the game in the fourth term and that was enough to secure the 2.4 (16) to 0.11 (11) victory.

Peel now is through to a second straight Grand Final and a chance to make it back-to-back WAFLW premierships. Swan Districts still has a chance to reach the Grand Final with a win in this Sunday's preliminary final against Subiaco at Steel Blue Oval.

Swan Districts might not have managed to kick a goal in the tough conditions on Sunday at Steel Blue Oval in the second semi-final, but Tara Stribley, Sarah Wielstra and Emily McGuire all had multiple opportunities and kicked two behinds each.

The best players on the afternoon despite the result for Swan Districts included Stephanie Cain, Lauren Osborne, Eliza Gelmi, Tara Stribley and Bianca Webb.

Meanwhile the Swan Districts WAFLW Reserves team were also in action at Steel Blue Oval on Sunday and they won the first semi-final against Claremont 7.2 (44) to 2.1 (13).

That means Swan Districts remains alive in the WAFLW Reserves to advance now to this Sunday's preliminary final against Peel Thunder back at Steel Blue Oval.

Fiona Boucher kicked two goals in the win for Swans with a goal each to Shannan Rene, Shannon Matthews, Jacinta Anderson, Chanel Jetta and Abbygail Bushby.

Naomi Baker, Olivia Cripps, Emma Nanut, Renee Holwill and Jacinta Anderson were among the standout performers for Swan Districts.

OPTUS WAFLW PREMIERSHIP SEASON – SECOND SEMI-FINAL

SWAN DISTRICTS                              0.1          0.4          0.10        0.11 (11)

PEEL THUNDER                                 1.2          1.3          1.4          2.4 (16)

SWAN DISTRICTS: Goals – Nil.

Best – Cain, Osborne, Gelmi, Stribley, Webb.

PEEL THUNDER: Goals – Grieve, Bartlett.

Best – Bilcich, Wrigley, Fenton, Barnden, Davidson.