A DOMINANT first half set up a comfortable victory for Swan Districts in Round 14 of the WAFLW, with the black and whites maintaining their push towards finals by overcoming a third-quarter fightback from East Fremantle to win by 27 points.

The Swans bounced back emphatically from their loss to Claremont the previous week, setting the tone from the opening bounce to run out 8.6 (54) to 4.3 (27) winners at Steel Blue Oval.

Swan Districts wasted no time asserting their authority on the contest, keeping the Sharks scoreless in the opening term while kicking 2.2 themselves to take a 14-point lead into the first break. The dominance continued in the second quarter as the Swans piled on another three goals while restricting East Fremantle to just two behinds, taking a commanding 32-point advantage into half-time, 5.4 (34) to 0.2 (2).

Faced with a significant deficit, East Fremantle responded brilliantly in the third term. The Sharks found their rhythm, kicking three unanswered goals to cut the margin back to a manageable 20 points at the final change. However, Swan Districts steadied in the final quarter, re-establishing their control to add another 2.2 to their tally while restricting the Sharks to a single major, sealing the 27-point win.

Jaime Henry was the undisputed star for Swan Districts, continuing her phenomenal season with a massive performance. She amassed a game-high 35 disposals, along with seven tackles and five marks, showcasing her elite work rate and contested ball-winning ability. She was well supported by captain Jessica Cox (25 disposals, four tackles, three inside 50s) and Courtney Ugle (18 disposals, six marks, four tackles).

Meanwhile the versatility of Tamzyn Beros proved important once again, contributing both in the ruck with 11 hitouts and around the ground with 15 disposals and six marks. Up forward, Taylah Edwards kicked two crucial majors, while Emily McGuire and Ashley Sharp each kicked a goal.

For East Fremantle, Jae Flynn battled hard all day, finishing with a team-high 22 disposals and 10 tackles, leading from the front despite the scoreboard pressure. Chloe Colegate (21 disposals, seven tackles, four marks) and Amber Kinnane (18 disposals, 12 tackles) worked tirelessly to keep the Sharks in the hunt.

Up forward, 16-year-old bottom-ager Lara Fuller was the shining light for the Sharks, kicking three of their four goals from her nine disposals, marking her as an exciting prospect for the future. Chelsea Natta also found the net for East Fremantle.

SWAN DISTRICTS 2.2 | 5.4 | 6.4 | 8.6 (54)
EAST FREMANTLE 0.0 | 0.2 | 3.2 | 4.3 (27)

GOALS:
Swan Districts: T. Edwards 2, E. McGuire 2, A. Sharp 2, K. Fawcett, S. Yarran.
East Fremantle: L. Fuller 3, C. Natta

RMC BEST:
Swan Districts: J. Henry, J. Cox, C. Ugle, T. Beros, S. Yarran
East Fremantle: J. Flynn, C. Colegate, A. Kinnane, L. Fuller, M. McAullay

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Claremont kept pace with Swan Districts inside the top two after a thrashing win over a depleted West Perth outfit. The Tigers slammed home nine first half goals to nil – seven of which came in the second term – to race out to a 54-point lead by the main break. They ended up cruising to a 68-point victory to gain some serious percentage and dint West Perth’s at the same time.

Jayme Harken racked up a game-high 28 disposals and laid six tackles, working in tandem with ruck Matilda Husband (22 disposals, 29 hitouts. There were four multiple goalkickers in the wing, with Bec Anderson (three goals), Hayley Bullas (two), Rachel Ortlepp (two) and Jayde Musika (two) were all lively. For the Falcons, Sophie Fisher (18 disposals, four marks) was the top ball-winner, as Megan Norbury (17 disposals, six marks and seven tackles) and Bella Nelson (16 disposals, seven marks) were among the better players.

Subiaco grabbed a much-needed win to move just two points outside the top four, defeating the winless Peel Thunder by five goals at Lane Group Stadium. The Lions flew out of the blocks with five goals in the first term and then the Thunder managed to stem the bleeding. However the damage was done and Subiaco came away with the 10.5 (65) to 5.5 (35) win.

Krstel Petrevski (38 disposals, nine marks, four inside 50s and a goal) suffered leather poisoning as her fellow former AFLW players Lisa Steane (29 disposals, five marks, nine tackles and four inside 50s) and Paige Sheppard (28 disposals, five marks, nine tackles, five inside 50s and one goal) also had massive days out. Up forward, Courtney Lindgren (two goals) and Annabel Johnson (two) were the multiple goalkickers. For the Thunder, bottom-ager Tiama Collard continued to put her hand up for state representation with 24 touches, four marks and four tackles, while Chloe Wrigley (27 disposals, three marks and three tackles) and Cassie Davidson (22 disposals, five marks) were among the best.

Perth took advantage of South Fremantle’s bye to leap into the top four with a dominant 39-point win over East Perth. The Royals competed well earlier, but the Demons kicked clear after quarter time to score seven goals to two. In the end, the visitors scored a 9.9 (63) to 3.6 (24) victory at Sullivan Logistics Stadium.

Isabella Shannon (33 disposals, six marks, seven tackles, five inside 50s and three goals) was outstanding, while Alyssa Smogavec (24 disposals, two goals) and Taya Strickland (seven disposals, three marks and three goals) were all prominent in front of the big sticks. Holly Britton and Evie Gooch showed their experience across the ground as well. For East Perth, Lucy Greenwood produced her highest volume game with 30 touches and five inside 50s, while Tessa Kohn (22 disposals, three marks and five tackles) and Kahra Sprlyan (19 disposals, two marks, nine tackles and two inside 50s) were also among the better players on the day.