Swans Wheelchair Footy Go Down In Grand Final

The Finals round of the 2022 WA Wheelchair Footy League was completed on Sunday 4^th December at HBF Stadium, with Swans going down in the Grand Final after working hard to qualify.

Finishing second on the ladder after the home and away season, Swans took on top of the table Perth in the Qualifying Final in the first match of the day. The winner went straight into the Grand Final and earned a rest so there was plenty on the line. Swans started strong before Perth worked back into the game, with numerous lead changes throughout the second half. 2021 star Ben Moncrieff returned from injury for his first games for Swans this season and was dominant, while defender Elyse Hudson was rock solid down back.

The pressure lifted in the final quarter and it was anyone’s game, but a late surge wasn’t enough and Perth held on to win by 1 point, advancing them to the Grand Final.

With Subiaco beating East Perth in the Elimination Final, Swans faced the Lions in the Preliminary Final to see who’d face Perth later that day for the premiership. Both teams started slow but Swans were able to find their groove and start to put scores on the board. Subiaco fought hard but the strong intensity from Mark McNair and the move of Dave Cook into the forward line saw Swans book their place in the final with a strong victory.

The Grand Final was to follow and would be Swans’ 3^rd game of the afternoon, and with no interchange and longer quarters it was always going to be a tough challenge. Perth, playing in their 2^nd match of the day in a team boasting a number of WAFL players, and with 3 on the bench were heavily favoured.

Swans took an early lead with everyone coming out hard and full of enthusiasm. Once again defence was key as Cook, Hudson and McNair dug in to deny Perth easy scores while late inclusion Jason Burton was able to finish off their good play with some early goals.

At 3 quarter time the game was in the balance and Swans would have to continue to dig deep if they were to bring home the cup. The attrition started to be a major factor and Perth’s freshness left Swans behind, piling home a number of easy goals in the final term, running out winners in their first season, handing Swans their second successive Grand Final loss in 2 seasons.

Back by our Inclusion sponsors 360 Health + Community, The Vines, McIntosh & Sons and PMG, Swans will be back in 2023 for another shot at glory in the WAWFL, an initiative of the WA All Abilities Football and Northern Star Resources Ltd.