SWAN Districts slammed home six of the first seven goals in its Round 6 clash with East Fremantle to ensure the visitors went home victorious, accounting for last year’s grand finalists by 32 points at The Good Grocer Park. In a vital win that created separation between the top four and bottom four, Swan Districts posted a 10.4 (64) to 5.2 (32) victory.

The third placed Swans piled on extra pressure to the Sharks who are for the first time in a long time in danger of missing the post-season series. With plenty of young faces joining the experienced ones, the Sharks are at 2-4 on the ladder, two wins outside the top four. While it is hardly time to hit the panic button, the Sharks have beaten two sides below it, and lost to the four inside the finals places, with a must-win game coming up against fifth placed West Perth.

But the performance was all about Swan Districts as the black and whites withstood some serious forward entries from East Fremantle to repel and kick one against the grain through Taylah Edwards who would go on to slot four for the match. She was a spark up forward for the visitors, kicking three of the first four, while Naomi Baker, Emily McGuire and Ava Stewart would also add their names to the goalkickers list in the first 45 minutes, and by that stage, the lead was out to 31 points.

There was a cameo from Siena Jezierski-Brown in the third term where she slotted three goals, answering each of Swan District’s majors but playing a lone hand in that scoreboard impact. Sarah Wielstra was the other to chip in with majors in each bookend quarter, and though the Black Ducks were able to keep the score from blowing out, never got under four goals in the second half.

The success of the Swans could be put down to the midfield group where Jaime Henry (30 disposasl, three marks, seven tackles and the last goal of the game) and Carys D’Addario (21 disposals, three marks and six tackles) both got on top around the ball. The young midfield showed its strength at the stoppages, while Baker’s inclusion for Emma Humphries worked well, as she slotted a goal from 17 disposals and four marks.

Up forward, Edwards kicked 4.2 from 16 disposals and five marks, while the likes of Lauren Quaife got first hands to it in the ruck and more importantly got involved around the ground, Tyla Fitzgerald and the speed of Indiana West were among the better players for the winners.

East Fremantle still had some impressive players with Jezierski-Brown a threat inside 50, kicking 3.1 from 12 disposals from four marks. Down back, Maya Louvel-Finn was again rock solid, while Jae Flynn provided excellent defensive pressure and Mylee Leitch did well getting up the ground and getting the ball forward when she could.

Swan Districts is in a good spot coming into Round 7, taking on the winless Perth at Steel Blue Oval which is a must-win clash. The following three weeks pits the Black Ducks against the other top three sides in South Fremantle, Claremont and Subiaco respectively. East Fremantle has an early virtual elimination final against West Perth which will almost be an ‘eight-point’ game for those sides before a bye in Round 8.

EAST FREMANTLE 0.0 | 1.1 | 4.2 | 5.2 (32)
SWAN DISTRICTS 1.0 | 5.2 | 8.2 | 10.4 (64)

GOALS:
East Fremantle: S. Jezierski-Brown 3, S. Wielstra 2
Swan Districts: T. Edwards 4, A. Stewart 2, N. Baker, J. Henry, T. Fitzgerald, E, McGuire

RMC BEST:
East Fremantle: S. Jezierski-Brown, S. Wielstra, M. Leitch, M. Louvel-Finn, J. Flynn
Swan Districts: T. Edwards, J. Henry, N. Baker, C. D’Addario, I. West

AROUND THE GROUNDS

West Perth had a commanding victory over Peel Thunder to the tune of 71 points at Lane Group Stadium. Sara Riou was outstanding with a best on ground performance of four goals from 22 touches, while Erin O’Brien slotted three. The outside run of Taylor Ferguson and inside toughness of Mia Russo was important as the Falcons celebrated defender Jessica Roper‘s return after more than 400 days out with an ACL injury.

Peel Thunder was without key defender Evie Cowcher, and struggled to contain the Falcons’ offence as such, with Chloe Wrigley (35 disposals, 12 tackles) having the ball on a string again, as Ebony Dowson and Cassie Davidson provided much needed experience behind the ball.

Claremont also enjoyed a big win, defeating Perth 11.5 (71) to 4.2 (26). It was not without its challenges from the new side though with the Demons producing some highlight reel moments such as a great goal from Fina Dethlefsen and an end-to-end team play. By the final siren though, the Tiger were simply too good with debutant Hannah Seaborn slotting four majors in the perfect first game, while the inside work of Jayme Harken and Juliet Kelly got the ball going forward.

Perth co-captain Isabella Shannon and midfielder/forward Jorja Haines worked hard all game, while inclusion Mia Carlshausen was skillful from defence. The overwhelming depth of the Tigers was sensational however as Sasha Goranova and Kate Orme both got forward to kick goals in the win.

While those two matches were high scoring, the same could not be said for South Fremantle’s grinding win over East Perth at Fremantle Oval. Just two behinds – both to the Bulldogs – were scored in the first half, and a total of four goals was kicked for the match. East Perth only scored in the last term and actually looked a lot more dangerous, but it was not going to be enough as the home team got up, 3.7 (25) to 1.4 (10).

Tahleah Mulder (19 disposals, seven tackles and a goal) and Bailey Hunt (17 disposals, three marks and nine tackles) showed their AFLW experience, as Hannah Burt (21 disposals, four tackles) was important again and Zoe Huggett kicked two majors. Layla Firns and Jess Verbrugge combined for 41 disposals for the Royals, while Hayley O’Donnell and Sabella Banks were strong defensively behind the ball.