Round 20 WAFL Match Report

It might have been a tough day in challenging conditions in Mandurah on Saturday for Swan Districts with the loss to Peel Thunder, but the black-and-whites remain in third spot and will stay there with a final round WAFL win.

Swan Districts' nine-game undefeated run had come to an end the previous week at the expense of the reigning premiers East Fremantle before heading south this Saturday to take on the league-leading Peel at Lane Group Stadium.

The weather conditions made the afternoon a challenge and Peel did adjust to it the better on the way to the eventual 7.12 (54) to 3.5 (23) victory.

Despite the consecutive losses, Swan Districts remains in third position on the WAFL ladder with one round to play with 10 wins, six losses and a draw.

The equation is simple heading into Saturday's game against Perth at Steel Blue Oval with a win guaranteeing that Swans remain in third and earn a finals double chance.

A loss for Swan Districts and they will need to hope one of East Fremantle, Claremont and South Fremantle all lose to guarantee still playing finals in 2024.

The goals throughout the afternoon for Swans were kicked by Max Chipper, Leigh Kohlmann and Will Collins.

Nik Rokahr racked up another 32 possessions throughout the afternoon, Jye Chalcraft 31, Jehb O'Donohue 22 (13 tackles), Jake Pasini 22, Jesse Turner 21 and Bryce Watson 16.

It wasn’t the ideal start for Swan Districts with Peel opening the scoring with a goal inside the opening minute to Sebit Kuek.

However, in the trying conditions that would be the only goal for either team in that first quarter with Peel leading by six points at quarter-time.

It took more than 17 minutes for either team to kick a goal in the second quarter as well and it was Swans who got that thanks to Will Collins who continues to go from strength to strength this season with the black-and-whites.

Max Chipper added another soon after and after not kicking a goal up to that point, Swans kicked two in the space of three minutes and suddenly had the lead just before half-time.

However, Peel did get a goal back just before the break thanks to Matt Taberner to give his team the two-point lead as the teams headed for the locker rooms.

The Thunder then turned that two-point lead at half-time into a commanding 22-point advantage by three quarter-time after kicking the only three goals of the third term thanks to Kuek, Taj Wyburd and Cooper Simpson.

While Swan Districts did kick a third goal of the game in the last quarter through Leigh Kohlmann, it wasn’t to be with the 31-point victory but they do remain in third position heading into the last round of the season and just needing to win to stay there.

Swan Districts' colts opened the day in Mandurah on Saturday morning with the 7.9 (51) to 3.6 (24) win against Peel Thunder.

Swans kicked three goals to nil in the second quarter and the only two goals of the third term on the way to the 27-point victory that sees them sitting still in fourth position on the ladder and secure in finishing there after the last round.

Chayse Martinson, Tylah Williams and Otis Harvey all kicked two goals apiece in the win for Swan Districts with Luke Cotellessa finishing with 19 possessions, Lucas Andrews 14, Harvey 14, Blake Kelly 14, Martinson 13 and Finn Taylor 13.

Swan Districts' reserves then also scored the win in Mandurah over Peel by prevailing 5.6 (36) to 3.7 (25).

It's a fourth win of the season in the reserves for Swans with Kristian Caporn kicking two goals while Ayden Cartwright racking up 28 possessions, Brodyn Fitzgerald 27, Ben Hewett 21 and Jak Watson 19.