SWAN Districts have moved into fifth on the WAFL Women’s ladder, stringing together back-to-back wins, the latest of which was an 89-point thumping of newcomers East Perth. Under Friday night lights, the Swans got on the board early and then piled on the last nine goals of the game to run away with the 15.11 (101) to 2.0 (12) victory.

A fortnight ago, Swan Districts was languishing in the bottom two after four straight losses to start the season, but have knocked off both Perth teams since to move up to fifth with a 2-4 record from six games. Against the Royals, the Swans booted a league-high score for season 2023, becoming the first team to hit the triple-figures with the commanding performance.

Swan Districts control the game earlier, kicking a couple of first term goals through ex-Peel ruck Lauren Quaife and youngster Indiana West, while missing some other chances. Nonetheless, the visitors opened up a 16-point lead at the first break, and by the eighth minute mark of the second term, that lead had blown out to 30 with Courtney Zappara kicking 2.1 in the space of five minutes early in that quarter.

No one person was dominating possession as the likes of Tyla Fitzgerald, Kayley King, Jessica Cox were all getting their hands on the ball. It took until the 10th minute mark of the second quarter for East Perth to get on the board, with Taylah Suda becoming the unlikely first Royals goalkicker. Skipper Jess Valvasori was trying hard through the middle, but before long Zappara had her third goal on the board.

Shannon De Bari provided the response to that major, but it would be little resistance as the goal in the 16th minute would be East Perth’s last score of the game. The second half was more of a stampede as the Black Ducks ran away with the contest. Though inaccurate at times, Swan Districts still piled on eight second half goals making the most of their inside 50s.

Though they had 26 scoring shots, the Swans only had the 35 inside 50s, a low amount for a team posting that total. It was largely credit to the East Perth defence holding a high line, and also battling hard through the middle of the ground. Defensive duo Sarah Madden and Lillian Ninyett tried hard, combining for 25 disposals and five marks, while Emily Boothman had three inside 50s from 13 disposals.

By the final siren, Fitzgerald (18 disposals, six tackles and six inside 50s) racked up the equal most touches with ruck Sarah Wielstra who also managed 22 hitouts, five inside 50s and 1.2. Zappara’s three goals from 17 touches was a standout, while Abbygail Bushby and Taylah Edwards both kicked two majors as part of 11 individual goalkickers.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

The one Round 7 nail-biter was South Fremantle’s five-point thrilling win over East Fremantle. The Bulldogs took full advantage of a Sharks side missing a host of star players due to the AFLW Under 18 Championships, and ended up getting the win, 5.4 (34) to 4.5 (29).

Ruck Ariana Hetherington (19 disposals, two marks, three tackles, 24 hitouts and two inside 50s) was a standout, while forward Bethany Bond clunked four marks from 17 disposals, six tackles and seven inside 50s. Beth Beckett and Sharon Wong finished with 20 disposals apiece in the loss.

Subiaco made its way back into the top four with a commanding second half performance against Peel Thunder down in Mandurah. After leading by just two points at the main break, the Lions booted an inaccurate 6.9 to 0.0 to run out 8.12 (60) to 2.1 (13) victors.

Tarnica Golisano broke the season-high disposal record with 35 touches, as well as three marks, 10 tackles and three inside 50s. Tiah Toth was next best with 20 disposals and a goal, while Kelsey Patterson (three goals) lead the scoring. Gracie Fenton (16 disposals, three tackles) tried hard, as did Ebony Bilcich and Greta McKinley who had the 14 touches apiece.

In the standalone Sunday match, Claremont kicked away in the second half to post a six-goal win over West Perth. The Tigers lead by three points at half-time credit to West Perth’s defensive pressure, but the reigning premiers stepped up following the main break as expected with five goals to nil in the second half to finish ahead, 6.7 (43) to 1.1 (7).

Jasmin Stewart racked up 25 disposals, five marks, eight inside 50s and a goal in a standout performance for the Tigers, well supported by Jayme Harken (20 disposals, two marks). Adele Arnup was the only multiple goalkicker on the ground with two majors, while Matilda Dyke controlled the ruck. Former Claremont defender Brooke Hongell was the best for her new side with 17 disposals, six marks and six tackles, while Jeevna Heer took five marks from nine disposals and four tackles.