SWAN Districts’ incredible winning streak reached a seventh straight week with a comprehensive 52-point win over last placed East Perth at Steel Blue Oval on the weekend. After dwelling at 0-4 to start the season, the black and whites clicked into gear with the return of some key players, and confidence, and have won the most points over the past seven rounds.

While ladder leaders and reigning premiers Claremont remains the benchmark team – and Swans’ next opponent – the Black Ducks could not be faulted for their form since grabbing their first win back in Round 6. The latest victory over the Royals was established early with a four goals to one first term, before holding on in a competitive game to win, 9.8 (62) to 1.4 (10).

Bursting out of the blocks, forwards Taylah Edwards and Cassie McWilliam both kicked two goals in a frantic opening term that was dominated by the home team. Racing out to a 26-point lead at the first break, East Perth was not willing to throw in the towel.

Though Edwards kicked her third in the opening few minutes of the match, the Royals got on the board via Emily Boothman. Another chance from Taylah Suda just missed, and while the Swans eventually extended the lead by two points to 28 at the main break, the effort remained high.

That continued into the second half despite the ball largely living in the Swans’ front half. The midfield of Ruby Mahony, Hope Ugle-Hayward and Tyla Fitzgerald stepped up in the absence of star youngster Jaime Henry. For the Royals, Madeleine Goodman and Chloe Sauzier were getting their hands on the ball, while Julia Uhe got forward and impacted the game.

The third term was tight one again with the Royals limiting the Swans to just the one goal – a fourth major to Edwards in the final 90 seconds of the term – and keeping the deficit to 35 points. Unfortunately for the visitors the hard running intensity would slowly fade as the black and whites piled on three more majors in the final term, with Edwards’ fifth goal sealing the deal.

East Perth was not without its chances in the final term as Uhe and Jorja Elisseou both had scoring shots, but the rampaging Swans went the full four quarters, with Ugle-Hayward capping off the performance with a goal in the final minute to make it a final margin of 52 points.

Mahony finished the match with 20 disposals and six tackles, while Ugle-Hayward and Lily Paterson were both lively in moving the all in transition. Edwards’ five goals was crucial up forward, with McWilliam’s hot start also getting Swan Districts off on the right note. For the Royals, Goodman and Sauzier both had 16 touches, while Mel Hardy (12) and Uhe (11) were among the more prominent players, Hardy facing her former side.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Claremont got the chocolates against Subiaco up in Broome, coming away with a hard-fought 15-point win over the Lions. The Tigers had to fight hard across the first three quarters, only leading by eight points heading into the last change, but booted the only goal of the final term to win, 3.4 (22) to 1.1 (7).

Matilda Sergeant (22 disposals, six tackles and four inside 50s) was the top ball-winner in the game, while Jayme Harken and Kobi Nichols were also prolific. State Academy members Juliet Kelly and Ella Slocombe caught the eye. Subiaco skipper Tarnica Golisano and Eva Popovsky combined for 16 tackles, while Olivia Crane and Madison Dodd also impressed.

South Fremantle bounced back from its loss to Claremont to put Peel Thunder to the sword. The Bulldogs slammed home seven goals to one in the first half, then after a competitive third term from the Thunder, South Fremantle got back on top with four goals to nil in the last quarter to win, 12.10 (82) to 2.2 (14).

Young guns Molly O’Hehir (23 disposals, seven inside 50s) and Noa McNaughton (19 disposals, two goals) were both impressive, as skipper Lauren Vecchio (29 disposals) ran riot, and Renee Morgan starred on debut. For the Thunder, Evie Cowcher was an anchor in defence with 30 disposals and 12 marks, while fellow State Academy members Kaitlyn Srhoj and Holly Britton found plenty of the ball through the middle.

In the other match, East Fremantle proved too good for West Perth, stepping up to win by 38 points over the Falcons at Joondalup. The Falcons were steady early only trailing by two goals at the first break but only managed one goal after that, as the visitors booted five majors to run out 9.4 (58) to 3.2 (20) winners.

Sharks skipper Ashleigh Gomes had 20 touches, four marks and five inside 50s in the win, while Beth Beckett and Zippy Fish were consistent once again. Chloe Reilly was the dominant player up forward, kicking 4.0 from nine disposals. For the Falcons, Taylor Ferguson clunked eight marks from 21 disposals, while Kayla Van Den Heever and Jessica Roper were busy in the loss.