SWAN Districts were the big movers in Round 12 of the WAFL Colts, leapfrogging from seventh up to fourth with a 68-point win over East Perth. The black and whites have now won three of their last four games to sit at an even 5-5 record, level on wins with Subiaco and Perth but clear of both on percentage.

>> SCROLL for the results, ladder, and fixture

The Swans overcame a sluggish start at Bassendean Oval, conceding three unanswered majors in the first quarter but keeping the Royals goalless in the second and fourth. The weight of their plus-27 forward 50 entries proved too much for the eighth-placed visitors to handle.

A quartet of Swans kicked two goals each, including best afield Levi Calcott (22 disposals) and Jai Debono (20). Lively duo Anthony Hansen (22 disposals, nine inside 50s, one goal) and Leon Kickett (21 disposals, six tackles) were also in the thick of the action in a comfortable win.

The Royals finished with just one goalkicker, as Jack Whitby slammed home four majors from seven kicks. Marcus Cassidy continued his strong form with 27 touches, though Max Donnelly (16 disposals, seven marks) was named his side’s best in a fifth-straight defeat.

Over at Leederville Oval, East Fremantle moved back atop the ladder with its 44-point win over Subiaco. The Sharks applied constant scoreboard pressure while restricting the hosts to just one goal per quarter, making better use of their possessions to register 21 scoring shots to 12.

Sharks pair Kaydn Wilson and Matthew Radojkovich led the scoring with three goals apiece, while Kaiden Summerell racked up 26 disposals (20 kicks) to again be East Fremantle’s best. Noah Hannaford (15 disposals, eight marks, three behinds) was also on track for a big day out.

Meanwhile, Subiaco’s Lucas Blair led all comers with 27 touches and eight marks ahead of Lucas Santich (23 and five). The Lions had four individual goalkickers, with Darcy Montgomery (1.3) coming closest to booting multiples as his side slipped to fifth – behind Swan Districts.

Perth threw a spanner in the minor premiership race with its upset two-point win over South Fremantle. The Bulldogs led at the main break and heading into three-quarter time, but couldn’t prevent the Demons from kicking ahead midway through term four and holding out for victory.

Nathan Cameron (29 disposals, six marks, six inside 50s) led the way for Perth while Robert Warrell and Finn Gunton booted three goals apiece. Luc Carles joined Cameron as one of four Dees to tick up over 20 touches to help ensure Perth kept touch with the top five. South slipped to second.

Noah Roberts (24 disposals, eight tackles) and Millar Rank (23 and five) were among the Bulldogs’ best, along with state 18s squad member Lucas Cattalini (20 disposals, eight marks). Representative train-on Byron Foster (21 disposals, seven marks, 21 hitouts) also put up big numbers.

Barring a second-quarter rally from Peel Thunder, West Perth dominated their clash in Joondalup to run out 32-point winners. The Falcons were pegged back to an eight-point lead at half time but kept Peel goalless thereafter to secure the comfortable victory on home turf.

Falcon Amon Ross was best on ground with 29 disposals, six marks and eight tackles, while Hunter Bewick joined bottom-age state 18s squad member Harvey Spawton-Guy in booting two goals. Will Rintoul was also prominent with 26 touches, 10 tackles and a goal.

The winless Peel was led by efforts from Lachlan Birch (24 disposals, one goal) and Drew Clarke (22 disposals, 10 tackles). State squad members Mitchell Stirling (13 disposals, eight marks) and Basil Hart (two goals) also had their moments for the Thunder.

The Colts action continues next week with another three fixtures slated for Saturday, and one on Sunday. Subiaco has the bye, while the state Under 18 side hosts Vic Metro at East Fremantle Oval, looking to bounce back from a late loss to the Allies and pick up their second win for the series.

STATE U18 SQUAD MEMBERS

East Perth:
Garrison Kenh – 14 disposals, 3 tackles

Peel Thunder:
Basil Hart – 6 disposals, 3 marks, 2 goals
Bol Makuach – 7 disposals, 9 hitouts
Mitchell Stirling – 13 disposals, 8 marks, 3 tackles
Jax Williams – 5 disposals, 2 tackles

South Fremantle:
Lucas Cattalini – 20 disposals, 8 marks, 3 tackles
Byron Foster* – 21 disposals, 7 marks, 21 hitouts, 5 inside 50s
Heath Wilson* – 13 disposals, 5 marks, 1 tackle

Swan Districts:
McCartney Murdoch* – 13 disposals, 4 tackles, 24 hitouts

West Perth:
Harvey Spawton-Guy – 6 disposals, 3 marks, 2 goals

>> Scouting Notes: Western Australia vs. Allies

* – denotes train-on

ROUND 12 RESULTS

South Fremantle 7.8 (50) def. by Perth 8.4 (52)
Swan Districts 13.18 (96) def. East Perth 4.4 (28)
Subiaco 4.8 (32) def. by East Fremantle 11.10 (76)
West Perth 7.14 (56) def. Peel Thunder 3.6 (24)

Bye: Claremont

WAFL COLTS LADDER

1. East Fremantle | 8-2 | 160.5%
2. South Fremantle | 7-3 | 206.3%
3. West Perth | 7-3 | 119.8%
4. Swan Districts | 5-5 | 98.3%
5. Subiaco | 5-5 | 94.4%
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6. Perth | 5-4 | 94.3%
7. Claremont | 4-5 | 99.8%
8. East Perth | 3-7 | 67.8%
9. Peel Thunder | 0-10 | 46.2%