IT WAS undoubtedly a case of déjà vu for West Perth fans, with the Falcons falling just six points short of the undefeated Swan Districts in a thrilling match of the round at Steel Blue Oval. The game opened proceedings for Round 4, with Swan Districts at 3-0, while West Perth were 1-1 and fresh off a bye after pushing reigning premiers to within a kick a fortnight earlier.

Unfortunately for the Falcons, it would be a similar story again as the home side would pile on seven goals to three in the opening half, and lead by a match-high 25 points at half-time. The signs of a West Perth resurgence were there late in the second term as both Lunay Van Den Heever and Zoe Huggett booted goals, but were countered each time by Tyla Fitzgerald and Summer Yarran respectively.

Yarran headed into half-time with two goals to her name, the same amount as fellow forwards Ashley Sharp and Taylah Edwards, and the score sitting at 7.5 (47) to 3.4 (22). But, the Falcons were not about to give up. Despite Swan Districts midfielder Jaime Henry (37 disposals, five marks and seven tackles) again bringing her own ball to the game, the visitors refused to die.

A goal in the opening minute from Zoe Huggett set the wheels in motion, but it would not be until early int he fourth term where the momentum began to swing. Still 21 points down with a quarter to play, the youth from West Perth was starting to get on top as Cara Dziegielewski tap work down to her close friend Lexi Strachan – both inclusions this week – was working, while Kayla Van Den Heever and Sara Riou were working hard to get the ball forward.

It was Riou who kicked a crucial major midway through the fourth quarter, and when Rikisha Nannup added a solitary behind with four minutes to play, it was just six points the deficit. West Perth was doing all the attacking as the Falcons kept Swan Districts scoreless in the final term. With the game truly in the balance, the Swans sent Sharp into defence, where she took a crucial intercept mark in the dying moments. Sore from the landing she took a while to get up and without the umpire blowing time off, the siren sounded not long after and result was secured.

Outside of Henry, the likes of Summer Ajduk (18 disposals, nine marks, three tackles and six inside 50s), Chloe Reilly (17 disposals, two marks, four tackles and seven inside 50s) and Luka Davis (19 disposals, three marks and eight tackles) were both strong, while Tamzyn Beros through the ruck and Isabella Edgley in defence also caught the eye. For West Perth, Strachan’s contribution of 23 disposals, eight tackles and four inside 50s was important, while Dziegielewski (10 disposals, five tackles, 24 hitouts and a goal) looked dangerous and the Van Den Heever sisters both impressed.

SWAN DISTRICTS 2.3 | 7.5 | 7.8 | 7.8 (50)
WEST PERTH 1.4 | 3.4 | 4.5 | 6.8 (44)

GOALS:
Swan Districts: T. Edwards 2, S. Yarran 2, A. Sharp 2, T. Fitzgerald
West Perth: Z. Huggett 2, L. Van Den Heever, E. O’Brien, C. Dziegielewski, S. Riou

RMC BEST:
Swan Districts: J. Henry, S. Ajduk, S. Yarran, L. Davis, C. Reilly
West Perth: L. Strachan, K. Van Den Heever, S. Riou, C. Dziegielewski, L. Van Den Heever

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Perth notched up win number one after a draw last week, defeating Peel Thunder, 8.5 (53) to 5.4 (34). The Demons piled on six goals in the first half and secured the game early, though the Thunder did win the second half with four goals to two. Isla Baldwin (26 disposals, four marks and eight tackles), Isabella Shannon (25 disposals, five marks, four tackles, five inside 50s and a goal) and Holly Britton (22 disposals, five marks, five tackles and three inside 50s) were outstanding for Perth, while for Peel, Chloe Wrigley finished with 30 disposals, 11 tackles and five inside 50s, while Kate Bartlett booted three goals.

Claremont proved too strong for South Fremantle, storming over the top of the Bulldogs in the second half with five goals to one to win, 8.13 (61) to 6.2 (38). Belinda Smith (28 disposals, seven marks and seven tackles) showed her experience for the visitors, as Sarah Viney (24 disposals, six tackles and a goal), Jayme Harken and Ruby Sargent-Wilson all picked up big numbers. Bec Anderson slotted four goals in the win. For South Fremantle, Natasha Entwistle (21 disposals, four marks and 13 tackles) was fantastic once more, while Hunter Cronin and Mikayla Hyde worked tirelessly behind the ball.

East Fremantle won its second game of the season to move into fourth spot after defeating East Perth, 8.4 (52) to 4.3 (27). The Sharks narrowly lead at each break, then kicked away in the last with three goals to nil. Mackenzie Webb (21 disposals, five marks, eight tackles and a goal) was superb once again, while debutant Kai Clucas picked up 20 disposals, four marks and laid three tackles. Breanna Wills (22 disposals, seven tackles and fie inside 50s) and Jasmine Johansen (18 disposals, two goals) were also impressive. For the Royals, Lucy Greenwood (22 disposals, five marks and four tackles) and Charli Bassett (21 disposals, three marks, two tackles and four inside 50s) lead the way.