Swans beat Lions to send message

SWAN Districts showed just how far they have improved in the 2021 WAFL season by knocking off Subiaco at Leederville Oval on Saturday to strengthen their finals credentials.

Subiaco had enjoyed a great dominance over Swan Districts in recent years having won 12 straight matches against them coming into Saturday's clash, including seven in-a-row on their home turf at Leederville Oval.

But this was a different Swan Districts outfit who were determined to bounce back from their loss a week ago to West Perth and make a stand against the Lions.

Swans ended up controlling most of the contest and then withstood the Lions fightback that was always going to come to hold on for the thrilling 7.12 (54) to 8.5 (53) victory.

It is a first win for Swan Districts against Subiaco since Round 20, 2015 and their first against the Lions at Leederville Oval since Round 7, 2014.

It's the first win for Swan Districts against Subiaco under coaching of recently re-signed coach Adam Pickering as well.

Aidan Clarke and Jiah Reidy kicked two goals apiece for Swan Districts but Jesse Palmer threatened to have a match-winning day. He had seven shots on goal from 13 kicks and eight marks, but only ended up kicking 1.6 for the afternoon.

Swan Districts had some impressive performers through the middle but the change in dynamics to the team with the addition of debutant ruckman Matthew Germs was stark.

Corey Gault had already confirmed himself as the league's standout ruckman, but the chance to use him up forward was an opportunity too good to pass up.

As a result, Germs did well in the middle on debut with eight disposals and 21 hit outs while Gault contributed well up forward and on the ball for 16 touches, five marks and 17 hit outs.

Jesse Turner also racked up 28 possessions for Swans, Josh Cipro 22, Sam Fisher 20, Frank Anderson 19, Brandon Erceg 19 and Lewis Jetta 18. Mitchell Bain came into the team too and battled hard for 13 disposals, six marks and six tackles.

Recent history between the two teams said Swan Districts were right up against it having lost 12 straight against Subiaco, but this Swans team shot out of the gates determined to make a stand.

The only problem was their first four scoring shots were all behinds before eventually Aidan Clarke managed to kick truly at the 11-minute mark. Ben Sokol responded immediately, though, for Subiaco.

Swans still went into quarter-time leading by 10 points thanks to a goal to Jiah Reidy and then Clarke's second early in the second term had the visitors out to a handy 14-point edge.

Subiaco again responded quickly, this time through Nick Martin before eventually Swan Districts snapped a string of behinds with a goal to Jesse Palmer which helped them to a 16-point lead by the half-time interval.

Swans snapping that run against Subiaco became a realistic possibility early in the second half when the black-and-whites continued to pepper the goals. They had the first five scoring shots of the second half but only one turned into a goal and that was through Reidy.

But still the lead got out to 26 points before a couple of Subiaco goals to Brandon Matera and Michael Braut just before three quarter-time.

Subiaco was back within seven points to start the fourth quarter with a goal to Martin but Swan Districts responded through Lachlan Riley. The Lions kept their charge going and got back within a point after goals to Max Walters and Leigh Kitchin, but Swans held on to win by that margin.

The day started at Leederville Oval with a dominant colts win for Swan Districts, beating Subiaco 15.15 (105) to 4.1 (25).

Ayden Cartwright kicked five goals for Swans, Ben Hewett three and Brodie Morris two while Cartwright amassed 27 possessions, Noah Hannan 27, Max Chipper 25, Hewett 25, Ty Sears 21 and Alec Clark 18.

It was a thriller in the reserves with Subiaco beating Swan Districts 9.9 (63) to 9.5 (59).

Tom Edwards, Atem Deng and Cameron Yukich kicked two goals each with Jak Watson racking up 34 possessions, Jacob Sideris 28, Nelson Waite 27 and Jehb O'Donohue 20.

OPTUS WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 12

SWAN DISTRICTS    2.4    5.7    6.11    7.12 (54)

SUBIACO                  1.1    3.3    5.4      8.5 (53)

SWAN DISTRICTS: Goals – Clarke, Reidy 2; Palmer, Riley, Wilson.

Best – Turner, Fisher, Cipro, Anderson, Notte, Erceg, Bain.

SUBIACO: Goals – Martin 3; Kitchin, Walters, Sokol, Braut, Brandon Matera.

Best – Kitchin, Marsh, Martin, Harris, Delahunty, W Hickmott, Clark.