Round 13 WAFL Match Report

Swan Districts fell one-point short of what would have been a drought breaking win at Fremantle Community Bank Oval against South Fremantle on Saturday.

Swans headed to the port as part of Round 13 in the 2022 WAFL season in impressive form following wins against Subiaco and Perth to have the chance to move up to third position with a victory on Saturday afternoon.

However, it was going to be a tough task against the third placed Bulldogs and at a venue that Swans hadn’t won at since 2014 on top of being without key players Matthew Germs, Jesse Palmer, Mitch Bain and Will Collins.

Swans put in a strong showing, though, and were still leading by 13 points early in the fourth quarter. However, South Fremantle kicked the last two goals of the game to claim the 7.14 (56) to 8.7 (55) victory.

Sandover Medallist Sam Fisher made a standout return for Swan Districts kicking two goals from 29 possessions with Brayden Noble also booting two goals.

Jesse Turner was back to his best on the wing for Swan Districts racking up 33 possessions while Aidan Clarke picked up another 29 touches, Jehb O'Donohue 19, Tony Notte 18, Jarvis Pina 17 and Tony Notte 18 to go with six marks.

Nathan Ireland stepped up impressively in the ruck in the absence of Matthew Germs for 17 touches, 22 hit outs, 10 marks and six tackles.

South Fremantle got off to a flying start with a goal to Nick Suban inside two minutes, but it would be more than a quarter before the home team managed another goal.

In the meantime, Swan Districts got on the board courtesy of Brayden Noble before he added a second at the 10-minute mark after taking a strong contested grab on the goal line.

Jarvis Pina then managed to convert the first goal of his 26-game WAFL career and Swan Districts went into quarter-time at a venue they hadn’t won at in eight years with the 10-point advantage.

It was Brendon Ah Chee that kicked South Fremantle's second goal of the game at the six-minute mark of the second term before Caleb Datson added another and that put the Bulldogs back in front.

It wouldn’t last long with Swans getting one back through Sam Fisher but then after the half-time siren, Jimmy Miller kicked truly and the Bulldogs took a four-point lead into the major break.

Fisher opened up the second half with his second goal of the day to put Swans back in front and then Lachlan Riley added another for the black-and-whites, and Tom Edwards did the same.

That put Swans 13 points in front and the possibility of the first win at nine attempts at the port was a distinct possibility. However, Ah Chee's second goal for South Fremantle just before three quarter-time had the home team back within six points at the last change.

Then six minutes into the last term and Greg Ottaviano kicked a goal that put Swans back out to a 14-point lead again, and then Tony Stephens produced the most inspirational of chase down tackles to deny Datson a second goal for South Fremantle.

Swans had all the momentum but the Bulldogs were able to stem the tide and captain Dylan Main kicked a goal that made it a six-point game once more.

It was then small forward Tyson Headland who proved the hero in his fifth game for the Bulldogs as he kicked his third goal to be the match-winner at the 20-minute mark and South Fremantle went on to win 7.14 (56) 8.7 (55).

Meanwhile, the day started with a narrow colts loss for Swan Districts with South Fremantle winning 11.6 (72) to 10.7 (67).

Lewis Zolnier-Owens kicked three goals for Swans with Luke Kelly picking up 21 touches, Jack Saunders 18, Oliver Sills 14 and Ethan Williams 14 while Evan Smith had 10 disposals and 30 hit outs in the ruck.

Then in the reserves, Swan Districts also went down to South Fremantle 12.10 (82) to 8.5 (53).

Warrick Wilson kicked three goals for Swans and Josh Middleton two with Max Chipper collecting 29 possessions, Lawson Humphries 21, Noah Hannan 17, Brayden Jones 16 and James Sullivan 16.

Swan Districts will now play host to East Perth this Saturday at Steel Blue Oval.