Qualifying Final WAFL Match Report

Swan Districts produced a terrific performance to beat Peel Thunder by 17 points in Saturday's WAFL qualifying final for a first finals victory in seven years and to now be one win away from a first Grand Final in 14 years.

Swan Districts took on Peel in Saturday's qualifying final at Mandurah's Lane Group Stadium, and after the Thunder kicked five goals to three with the breeze in the first quarter, Swans took over the contest the rest of the afternoon.

Swans would end up kicking seven goals to two from the Thunder over the last three quarters on the way to the eventual 10.5 (65) to 7.6 (48) victory.

It's a first ever finals win for Swan Districts against Peel and in Mandurah, and also a first finals win for Swans since 2017 and just a second since the 2010 premiership triumph.

One more win this finals series for Swans and they will qualify for the Grand Final and the first chance presents this coming Saturday against East Perth in the second semi-final at Leederville's Sullivan Logistics Stadium.

Leigh Kohlmann once again provided a strong target in attack for Swan Districts to kick another four goals to make the most of his opportunities from just six kicks and four marks to now have kicked 48 goals for the season.

Brad Lynch and Jackson McLachlan also kicked two goals apiece in the win for the black-and-whites.

Nik Rokahr has had a brilliant first season in the WAFL in the midfield for Swan Districts and continued that in the qualifying final on Saturday finishing with 33 possessions, six tackles, six inside-50 entries and a goal.

Jye Chalcraft also ended up with 28 disposals and eight tackles with Aidan Clarke picking up 21 touches, Jesse Turner 20 (before injuring a knee), Jake Pasini 17, Josh Cipro 16 and Will Collins 15.

Despite Liam Reidy having 65 hit outs in the ruck for Peel, he had a minimal impact of effectiveness from those with Nathan Blakely a big reason for that who finished with 18 possessions, seven tackles and 11 hit outs of his own.

Despite kicking into the breeze in Mandurah, Swan Districts made the perfect start to their first ever final against Peel with the first two goals inside nine minutes thanks to Jackson McLachlan and Leigh Kohlmann.

Peel did respond with the next four goals of the contest in the space of seven minutes before Swans did get a steadier through late inclusion Ben Hewett.

However, the Thunder closed the quarter with a goal to Ollie Murphy on the siren and that saw the home team leading by 11 points at quarter-time.

Swans then started the second quarter on fire firstly with a goal to McLachlan and then two in the space of a minute to Brad Lynch including one that came after a spectacular mark over his Peel defender.

Then when Kohlmann added a goal on half-time, it was Swan Districts going into the major break with the 13-point advantage on the back of kicking the only four goals of the second quarter.

Swans then pushed that lead out to 19 points to start the third term with a goal to prolific midfielder Nik Rokahr. Kohlmann kicked his third of the day to stretch the lead to 23 points and it was still at 17 by three quarter-time.

Kohlmann's fourth goal in the fourth term ensured Swan Districts would end up securing the 17-point victory for a first finals victory since 2017, second since 2010 and now to be one win away from a first Grand Final appearance in 14 years.

The day started at Lane Group Stadium on Saturday morning with Swan Districts also involved in a colts elimination against Perth.

The Demons made a fast start with three goals to one in the first quarter and they were still in front of Swans by 16 points at half-time and two points at three quarter-time.

It turned out to be a thrilling finish but at the 12-minute mark of the last quarter, the final goal of the game was kicked for Swan Districts from Otis Harvey and that was enough to secure the eventual 8.15 (63) to 9.7 (61) victory.

Swans will now advance to a first semi-final against West Perth this coming Saturday morning at Leederville's Sullivan Logistics Stadium.

Colby McDonald kicked three goals in the win for Swan Districts to go with 14 possessions, 15 hit outs and seven marks.

Blake Kelly collected 22 possessions for the black-and-whites, Luke Cotellessa 19, Otis Harvey 13 and Chayse Martinson 13 while Evan Smith had 11 touches and 30 hit outs in the ruck.