Round 5 WAFL Match Report v East Fremantle

Heartbreaking losses continue to seem to follow Swan Districts and never more so than on Sunday when East Fremantle snatched the victory after the siren at Steel Blue Oval.

It was a massive day on a number of fronts for Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval celebrating the 90-year anniversary of the club's first ever game on the exact same date back in 1934.

That game was also against East Fremantle and the occasion was being celebrated on Sunday at Bassendean with Swans putting themselves in a terrific position to honour it with the victory as part of the WAFL Anzac Round.

Swan Districts were leading by as much as 22 points as well in the fourth quarter but East Fremantle then stormed home with three late goals before the siren, and then another after it from Jackson McDonald to snatch the 11.10 (76) to 11.8 (74) victory.

Leigh Kohlmann stepped up to kick another four goals for Swan Districts from six kicks and six marks to now have 14 goals to his name for the season.

Jesse Glass-McCasker came into the team to provide another key target and he kicked three goals while also helping out in the ruck to end up with nine possessions and 20 hit outs for the game.

Swans once again had some big ball winners through the midfield with Nik Rokahr leading the way with 34 possessions to go with 10 inside-50 entries, seven marks and four tackles.

Aidan Clarke also collected 31 disposals for the black-and-whites, Jesse Turner 29, Jye Chalcraft 29, Josh Cipro 21 and Jackson McLachlan 20.

Nathan Blakely also finished with 15 possessions and 19 hit outs in the ruck while Jake Pasini returned and ended up with 17 disposals and seven marks down back.

Tom Edwards ensured Swan Districts kicked the first goal of the game at the nine-minute mark but the Sharks responded with the next three in the space of nine minutes.

Swans did get one back before quarter-time with Jesse Glass-McCasker providing a target in attack to cut East Fremantle's lead to just six points at the first break.

The Sharks were back out to an 11-point edge with the first goal of the second term but Swan Districts answered firstly through Leigh Kohlmann.

Glass-McCasker then added his second of the day to level scores up and when Brad Lynch kicked truly the black-and-whites were back in front.

However, East Fremantle had regained a two-point edge by half-time thanks to a goal late from Jed Hagan.

Then after the Sharks kicked the first goal of the second half as well to lead by eight points, Swans responded in impressive fashion beginning with a goal to Kohlmann to bring the deficit back to a solitary point.

Kohlmann then kicked his third of the day to regain the lead for Swans but the lead changes continued when Fraser Turner put East Fremantle back in front.

It was the turn for Swan Districts to respond again and goals to Kohlmann and Jarvis Pina leading into three quarter-time gave the home team the momentum and a nine-point advantage at the final change.

Glass-McCasker kicked a third goal of his return appearance to start the last quarter and then when Jiah Reidy kicked truly as well, Swans were out to a lead as big as 22 points and that win to celebrate the 90-year anniversary was within touching distance.

East Fremantle did get a goal back at the seven-minute mark, but still with almost 23 minutes on the clock and it was still Swan Districts holding on to a 17-point advantage.

The Sharks were running out of time but they dug deep beginning with goals to Jarrad Jansen and Brynn Teakle.

Then with time running out, there was a stoppage in front of goal for the Sharks and a rushed kick out of the pack that landed in the arms of Jackson McDonald about 40m out.

He eventually took the shot from just inside 50 after the siren and never looked like missing to break the hearts of everyone at Swan Districts.

The action on Sunday at Steel Blue Oval got underway in the morning and Swan Districts' colts suffered a first loss of the season, with East Fremantle winning 11.3 (69) to 7.9 (51).

Swans now sit in fourth position on the colts ladder with the 2-1 record just percentage behind the third placed Sharks.

Leon Kickett kicked two goals for Swan Districts while Ned Reiger racked up 20 possessions, Cody Ryan 19, Harry Jones 17, Mason Hawkes 15, Jessie Hollins 15 and Elijah Huddlestone 15 with Colby McDonald ending up with 17 disposals and 12 hit outs in the ruck.

The reserves contest was up next at Steel Blue Oval and it was also East Fremantle claiming the 14.9 (93) to 7.7 (49) victory against Swan Districts to leave the reigning premiers still without a win in 2024.

Kristian Caporn kicked three goals from seven kicks for Swans with Luke Kelly racking up 32 possessions, Ben Hewett 27, Brenton Hilton 26, Henrick Alforque 17 and Cian Ehlers 17.