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WAFL 2022: Undermanned Swan Districts pull off gutsy victory over South Fremantle

Harry GrigsonThe West Australian
Swan Districts midfielder Mitch Bain celebrates a goal.
Camera IconSwan Districts midfielder Mitch Bain celebrates a goal. Credit: Blake Parry/Blake Parry

An undermanned Swan Districts showed they’ve got depth with a gutsy nine-point win over grand finalists South Fremantle at Steel Blue Oval.

The home side survived a late scare to claim a 9.10 (64) to 8.7 (55) victory despite the absence of club stalwart Tony Notte for the first time in eight years, as well as ruckman Matthew Germs (COVID-19), Anthony Stephens (hamstring) and Sebastian Bright (suspension).

Brodie Morris made his debut in the absence of Germs and helped inspire the home side as he took it up to a bigger and more experienced ruckman in Hamish Free.

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Free dominated the contest but it was the Swans midfield who rose to the task, led by 2020 Sandover medallist Sam Fisher, who had 31 disposals and seven tackles. He was supported through the middle by Joshua Cipro (22) and Jesse Turner (31) against a strong South Fremantle midfield.

Jake Florenca was the best for the visitors, gathering a game-high 32 disposals to strengthen his case for a mid-season AFL draft selection.

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The match was an arm wrestle for entirety of the second half with only five goals being kicked between the two teams.

Their Swans’ possession dominance allowed them to keep the travellers at arm’s length for most of the game, finishing with 37 more disposals and 49 more marks.

Josh Cipro returned for Swan Districts.
Camera IconJosh Cipro returned for Swan Districts. Credit: Blake Parry/Blake Parry

The home side finished with 37 more disposals and 49 more marks.

South Fremantle booted two late majors to give the home side a fright, but the Black Ducks held onto a much-needed victory to get their season back on track.

Chris Jones was a pivotal forward target with 2.3 from his eleven disposals while Ryan Kemp was industrious with his two goals, including the sealer.

The Swans improved their record to three wins and three losses before they face a struggling West Coast Eagles team next weekend.

SWAN DISTRICTS 4.3, 7.4, 8.7, 9.10 (64)

SOUTH FREMANTLE 2.1, 5.2, 6.4, 8.7 (55)

Goals – SWAN DISTRICTS: J Palmer 2 C Jones 2 R Kemp 2 M Bain L Riley T Bayok. SOUTH FREMANTLE: H Schloithe 2 S Verrier Z Strom H Free J Miller S Green J Salmeri.

Best – SWAN DISTRICTS: S Fisher J Palmer J Cipro C Jones T Watson. SOUTH FREMANTLE: J Florenca H Schloithe T Blechynden T McQuilkin H Free.

Injuries – SOUTH FREMANTE: J Doney (COVID-19) and B Donaldson (leg) replaced in the selected C Datson and L Taylor.

Umpires: C Snadden J Fry C Mannix. Crowd: About 1000 at Steel Blue Oval.

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