SWAN Districts made it back-to-back wins in the WAFL Women’s competition after holding off a fourth quarter comeback from West Perth to move to 3-1 in the 2025 season. After being level at half-time, the Swans got out to as much as a 13-point lead early in the fourth quarter before West Perth hit back only to fall short by five points, 6.6 (42) to 5.7 (37).

In a tight tussle between two 2024 finalists keen to get on track after up-and-down starts to the season, Swan Districts just closed the game out better with three uncontested marks following the last rushed behind to kill the clock and get it to the wing where the Falcons ran out of time trying to get it back inside 50.

The win came off the back of a couple of third term goals including a great end-to-end major. Youngsters Carys D’Addario and Ava Stewart were at the forefront with the former setting up Taylah Edwards with a clever snap around her body, while the latter put her side up by 11 in the final minute of the quarter.

Swan Districts continued to pepper the goals early in the fourth to push the lead out to beyond two kicks, before the tide began to turn. West Perth had a few good looks on goal with Chloe Metcalf giving her side a sniff, before both Amy Fortescue and Erin O’Brien just missed chances on goal as the time ticked down. Just a straight kick separated the sides, and when Mia Russo thumped a kick deep to the pocket, the potential was endless.

The ball bounced over the back and rushed through by the Swans defence. Less than two minutes remained in the match and then in an incredible passage, the home side was able to chip the ball down the boundary through three uncontested marks and four kicks to get it to the wing and essentially ice the contest.

West Perth was not without its opportunities through the match, come back from 18 points down five minutes into the third term after Sienna Gerardi kicked a classy goal to boot three majors in the last 13 minutes to draw level at half-time. Kayla Van Den Heever was her side’s multiple goalkicker with two majors, while debutant Fortescue hit the scoreboard running into goal off a lovely Cara Dziegielewski tap on the edge of half-time.

In the end, Swan Districts had that bit more experience around the ground and came away with the four points in what was a largely entertaining game with plenty of young guns on show. The battle between Carys D’Addario (25 disposals, four marks, seven tackles and three inside 50s) and Russo (24 disposals, five tackles and five inside 50s) in the middle was a fascinating one, with Kayley King (23 disposals, one goal) and Jaime Henry (22 disposals, two marks, three inside 50s) also prominent.

In defence, Swans duo Isabella Edgley (18 disposals, two marks and three tackles) and Eliza Gelmi (11 disposals, six marks and five tackles) were huge. Madison Dodd (18 disposals, four marks and eight tackles) and Taylor Ferguson (17 disposals, two marks and seven tackles) were prominent throughout the match for the losers, with defender Liliana Grassenis huge in the back 50. Up forward, Walley kicked a goal but was always dangerous on her way to 16 touches, five tackles and four inside 50s.

SWAN DISTRICTS 2.2 | 4.2 | 6.3 | 6.6 (42)
WEST PERTH 1.2 | 4.2 | 4.4 | 5.7 (37)

GOALS:
Swan Districts: T. Edwards 2, K. King, S. Gerardi, E. McGuire
West Perth: K. Van den Heever 2, C. Metcalf, A. Fortescue, J. Walley

RMC BEST:
Swan Districts: C. D’Addario, K. King, J. Henry, E. Gelmi, S. Gerardi
West Perth: M. Russo, L. Grassenis, M. Dodd, J. Walley T. Ferguson

AROUND THE GROUNDS

East Fremantle piled on four last quarter goals to put away East Perth by 29 points after a dour first three quarters. The Sharks lead by 12 points heading into the final break having kicked the only two goals of the game, before making it six consecutive majors and blowing the lead out to a 35-point lead. East Perth got a consolation goal back through Mia Pappas, but it was too little, too late in the 6.3 (39) to 1.4 (10) result.

Despite being on the losing side, Jess Verbrugge racked up 29 disposals, six marks, two tackles and five inside 50s, while Elly Sara and Layla Firns were also prominent. The winners had plenty of even contributions, with Jae Flynn (17 disposals, 10 tackles and five inside 50s) and Ashleigh Gomes (17 disposals, six tackles and five inside 50s) among the best, and Noa McNaughton lively for her new side once again.

Claremont proved too strong for Peel Thunder despite a gallant last term from the home side, running away 10.6 (66) to 6.6 (42) winners down in Mandurah. The Thunder kicked four goals in the last term, but by that stage it was too late, with Claremont leading by 43 points at the last change.

Two-time Dhara Kerr Medallist Jayme Harken had the ball on a string with 28 disposals, 11 tackles and six inside 50s, while young gun Juliet Kelly (22 disposals, four marks and five tackles) stood out. Sasha Goranova and Sarah Viney were also prominent. For Peel Thunder, Chloe Wrigley (31 disposals, 10 tackles and four inside 50s) and Evie Cowcher (28 disposals, four marks and seven tackles) were the standouts.

Subiaco’s winning ways continued on the weekend with a commanding 37-point victory over South Fremantle. Despite an inaccurate first term of five behinds, the Lions hit back to storm to victory with six of the last seven goals to secure the 6.11 (47) to 1.4 (10) win.

The AFLW experienced contingent including Krstel Petrevski (34 disposals, seven marks, five tackles and four inside 50s), Dana Hooker (27 disposals, eight marks, three tackles and seven inside 50s) and Maggie MacLachlan (20 disposals, four marks, two tackles, five inside 50s and two goals) were all impressive, while top-age youngster Olivia Crane made her return from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Hunter Cronin (19 disposals) led the way for the Bulldogs, while Hannah Burt (18 disposals, three marks, seven tackles and five hitouts) was also busy.