First Semi-Final WAFLW Match Report

While the WAFLW season came to an end for Swan Districts on Sunday with the first semi-final loss to East Fremantle, it was a campaign from the black-and-whites with plenty to be proud of.

Just to be part of the finals again for Swan Districts had been a tremendous performance after losing the opening four games of the WAFLW season.

Swans would respond to that to go on to win the next seven matches, and then eight of the past 10 overall to book in their finals position once more in the WAFLW.

That set up a first semi-final match up with East Fremantle at Fremantle Community Bank Oval so playing the Sharks on neutral turf did turn out to be a good result for Swans after finishing the season in fourth position on the ladder.

However, East Fremantle did prove too strong on the day ending up winning 7.4 (46) to 2.5 (17) which ends the season for Swan Districts but that shouldn’t take away from the positives to take out of what was achieved in 2023.

East Fremantle made a flying start to the first semi-final with the opening two goals in the contest inside the first eight minutes. The first came from Chloe Reilly at the four-minute mark and then Grace Freeman added another four minutes later.

The Sharks were still leading by 12 points by quarter-time having held Swans goalless to start the first semi-final.

East Fremantle then also kicked the opening two goals of the second quarter and suddenly the Sharks were in control leading by 25 points and the job was ahead of Swan Districts to keep its season alive.

Swans did manage a goal in response thanks to Hope Ugle-Hayward but the Sharks answered back prior to half-time through Larissa Versaci and that meant they remained in control leading by 25 points at the main break.

Swans needed to respond coming out of half-time with their season on the line but it wasn’t to be with East Fremantle holding them scoreless. The Sharks kicked two more goals themselves through Anjelique Raison and Zippy Fish and that saw them in control by 37 points.

Swan Districts did manage the only goal of the last quarter through Courtney Zappara but it wasn’t enough to stop East Fremantle cruising to the 29-point win and moving into a preliminary final and ending the season of the black-and-whites.

Swan Districts' two goals for the game were kicked by Courtney Zappara and Hope Ugle-Hayward.

Jaime Henry racked up 16 possessions to finish the season strongly for Swan Districts with Ruby Mahony confirming herself one of the best midfielders in 2023 with another 13 touches and 12 tackles.

Isabella Edgley also ended up with 11 touches and four tackles for the Swans while Kayley King finished with 10 disposals, Jasmine Ware 10, Indiana West nine and Demi Liddle nine to go with six tackles.