Round 11 WAFLW Match Report

Swan Districts continues to be the hottest team in the WAFLW competition shooting up to third position after Round 11 after securing a thrilling one-point win against Subiaco on Saturday.

Swans came into the clash at Leederville Oval having won five consecutive matches after losing the first four games of the 2023 season, but the meeting with the Lions was always going to be a potentially season defining contest with third spot going on the line.

In the end, it was a late behind from Cassie McWilliam that secured the 4.3 (27) to 4.2 (26) victory for Swan Districts which made it six wins in-a-row to improve the black-and-whites to third position on the WAFLW ladder by the end of Round 11.

Swan Districts started strongly at Leederville Oval with the first two scoring shots of the game including the only goal of the opening quarter from Cassie McWilliam at the 14-minute mark.

Swans were still leading by that goal at quarter-time before two goals inside the opening six minutes of the second term stretched that advantage for the black-and-whites to 18 points.

Those goals were kicked by Taylah Edwards and Ruby Mahony before Subiaco kicked its first goal of the contest, and its only one of the half, thanks to Hanna Dethlefsen.

Swan Districts were still on top by 13 points at the main break but it was Subiaco who came out firing to start the second half. The Lions kicked two goals in the space of two minutes from Dethlefsen and then Olivia Wolmarans.

Suddenly that saw Subiaco level scores up but Swan Districts responded shortly before three quarter-time with a goal to Hope Ugle-Hayward to lead by that margin at the last change.

Subiaco kicked the only goal of the last term with a third of the day to Dethlefsen and that levelled scores once more at the eight-minute mark.

There would be just one more score the rest of the contest and that was a behind to McWilliam which was enough for Swan Districts to win by that point and confirm the six consecutive victories.

Swan Districts broke the deadlock with a behind to Cassie McWilliam to beat Subiaco by that solitary point to make it six consecutive wins and to rise to third position on the WAFLW ladder.

Swan Districts arrived at Leederville Oval having won its past five matches on the back of losing the first four games of 2023 while Subiaco were fresh off a win against East Fremantle to consolidate a top four position.

It turned out to be a terrific contest with third position on the line with Swans kicking three goals to one in the opening half but the Lions responded with three goals to one in the second half.

A third draw of the WAFLW season was looming until the deadlock was broken by a behind for Swan Districts to McWilliam and that saw them win 4.3 (27) to 4.2 (26).

The victory means that Swans have now won six matches in-a-row to improve to a 6-4 record and rocket up to third position. It's a tough loss for Subiaco who are now fifth with five wins, four losses and a draw.

Swan Districts' four goals for the day were kicked by Taylah Edwards, Ruby Mahony, Hope Ugle-Hayward and Cassie McWilliam, who also had 15 disposals, four marks and four inside-50 entries.

Tyla Fitzgerald and Naomi Baker collected 15 possessions for Swan Districts and both were made up of afternoons where they had four kicks, 11 handpasses and two tackles.

Mahony collected another 14 touches for the black-and-whites, Indiana West 13, Teyharna Curry 12 and Jasmine Ware 11 to go with seven tackles and four marks.

Meanwhile in Round 11 of the Rogers Cup, Swan Districts defeated Subiaco 4.6 (30) to 1.1 (7) also at Leederville Oval.

Alana Papalia, Olivia Rasenberg, Summer Ajduk and Brookie Edwards kicked a goal each in the win for Swan Districts.