WAFL Round 3 Match Report v West Perth

It was more heartbreak for Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval on Sunday with another performance full of promise from the black-and-whites, but ultimately just falling short against West Perth.

Swan Districts opened the season with tight losses against East Perth and East Fremantle with those defeats coming by only a combined five points with Swans having their opportunity win both matches to begin life under new coach Andrew Pruyn.

Swans were then on top of the reigning premier Falcons for most of Sunday's clash at Steel Blue Oval and it will be yet another game they are kicking themselves for not getting the win in with West Perth ending up prevailing 12.9 (81) 11.8 (74).

Earlier on Sunday at Steel Blue Oval, West Perth also beat Swan Districts in the colts 10.11 (71) to 9.10 (64) before Swans did beat the Falcons in the reserves 11.9 (75) to 10.8 (68).

Swan Districts were hunting their first win of the season knowing their last win in the WAFL was also an impressive effort late last year over the Falcons. Swans started well too and it took less than a minute for co-captain Chris Jones to get them on the board.

The key forwards were getting set for a big afternoon when Tyler Keitel kicked West Perth's first up the other end but then it was Jesse Palmer who caught fire with two quick goals for the black-and-whites to the delight of the Bassendean locals.

Another before quarter-time to Greg Ottaviano and Swans had started hot with an 18-point edge over the reigning premiers.

Swans had started impressively but when Keitel kicked a second goal to start the second quarter, the Falcons were back within 13 points. However, Tom Edwards responded from the goal square soon after for the black-and-whites.

But then Nathan Murray kicked consecutive goals to bring the margin back to a straight kick for the Falcons and that's where it remained after Palmer and Keitel traded goals for either team heading into the half-time break.

Two quick goals in the opening six minutes to Jones to start the second half gave Swans the perfect beginning to try and hunt down that first win of the season, but the Falcons responded through their dynamic forward double act of Keitel and Keegan Knott.

Knott hurt his leg in the process of his clever goal, but not before bringing the Falcons back within seven points and that became one-point thanks to Luke Meadows shortly after.

Swans were still clinging to a two-point lead by three quarter-time but the Falcons claimed their first lead since the first quarter early in the fourth thanks to a goal to sharpshooter Mitch Dobson.

The home team regained the lead courtesy of Ben Hewett at the 13-minute mark but then Keitel added another for the Falcons to put the reigning premiers back on top by four points.

Murray's third of the day stretched the West Perth lead to 12 points and ultimately another from premiership winning small forward Joe Hinder sealed the win for the Falcons despite Swans keeping on fighting and getting one back late through Victorian recruit Jackson McLachlan on debut.

Jesse Palmer and Chris Jones provided Swan Districts with strong avenues to goal kicking three goals apiece. Jones also finished with 16 possessions, nine marks and four inside-50 entries.

The Swan Districts midfield were without Aidan Clarke and Tobe Watson with Frank Anderson still yet to return, and then lost Sandover Medallist Sam Fisher to a hamstring injury in the second half, but plenty of others stepped up.

None more so than vice-captain and reigning Swan Medallist Jesse Turner who finished with 36 possessions, six inside 50s, three marks and three tackles.

VFL recruit Jackson McLachlan made an impressive WAFL debut as well with 22 possessions, seven tackles and a goal with Jarvis Pina contributing 21 disposals and Ryan Kemp 17.

Nathan Blakely played his first league game since Round 9, 2020 and did well in the ruck with 17 touches, 17 hit outs and five tackles while down back, Brandon Erceg had another 20 possessions and nine marks, and Will Collins 17 touches and five marks.

Seb Bright did well to limit the influence of West Perth livewire Keegan Knott too.

The last game of the round for the colts was Sunday at Steel Blue Oval with West Perth beating Swan Districts 10.11 (71) to 9.10 (64).

Matt Galjaardt and Kayle Gerreyn kicked three goals apiece for the Falcons with Camden Pires gathering 19 touches, Odin Jones 18, Mitchell Lonnie 17, Ashton Waters 17 and Callum Smith 17.

Riley Hardeman racked up 30 possessions for Swans, Luke Kelly 25, Otis Harvey 18, Jack Saunders 17, Chayse Martinson 16 and Evan Smith 15 to go with 29 hit outs, nine tackles and a goal.

Swan Districts then scored an 11.9 (75) to 10.8 (68) reserves win over West Perth with Tyrell Metcalf kicking three goals, Kristian Caporn two, Lawson Humphries two and Mitch Bain two. Bain also had 27 possessions, Humphries 23, Max Chipper 19 and Jacob Sideris 19.