Match Report - Swans v Ocean Ridge

Swans took on Ocean Ridge at Steel Blue on Saturday who are also in their first year in the integrated competition.

With skipper Dylan Farrow out of the side due to COVID, it was going to be a challenge for coach John Stone to replace his drive and pressure in the midfield, as well as his leadership around the ground.

The game got off to a quick start with each side scoring quickly with our first goal coming from experienced player Jayson “Juddy” Mann. Once again, vice-Captain, Luci Gill was having an impact from the opening bounce and after a relentless attack on the ball, scored her first of the day.

Josh Rudd was having an impact early, setting up opportunities inside the forward 50, and with 2 goals from Gill, we were up by 9 points at the first break.

Ocean Ridge fought back in the second quarter to close the gap to 7 points at half time. The margin could have been greater with the siren sounding just before Kiara Hicks was able to get a shot away on goal. Once again, it was Gill who was providing the options up forward for Swans and every time she went near the ball, the crowd rose to their feet expecting magic.

Mann started the 3^rd quarter like he did the first with the first goal of the term for Swans, and Gill quickly followed up with a snap from long range to take the lead out to 19 points. Swans continued to drive home the advantage to the lead out to 32 points at three quarter time.

Jackson “Spider” Foskett was a work horse in the ruck all day, and Will Brenssell seems to get faster each week and created many forward entries, while also working hard in defence. Foskett and Brenssell combined on a number of occasions setting up inside 50’s.

Gill moved to the wing at the start of the last, and Damien de Grussa moved forward from full back, quickly bringing Stephanie Pearson and Ben Klaassen into the game with his leadership and experience, before using his trusty left boot to goal from a set shot deep in in the pocket.

It wasn’t all one way traffic though as Ocean Ridge continued to show grit and determination, capitalising on any mistake me made in defence. The sealer came from Klaassen mid way through the last and it was then we were sure that we would be getting our first win in the competition.

Special mentions to Aaron de Grussa, Blair Maitland and Lewis Collins who worked hard in defence throughout the game, and to the top-up players from Mandurah Mustangs who helped to even numbers for Ocean Ridge.

This week we take on Kelmscott on Sunday (May 29) at 340pm, following our WAFLW game against South Fremantle at Steel Blue.