WAFL Match Report: Round Twelve v Swan Districts

by Liam Maher

East Perth got back onto the winners’ list this weekend in fine fashion, running out 40-point winners over Swan Districts (13.8 – 86) to (7.4 – 46). The Royals capitalised on their chances in front of goal and played a solid brand of footy to secure the win, moving back into 3rd place on the ladder.

The game started in beautiful, sunny conditions—ideal for a day of footy. The first quarter was a tight, scrappy affair as both teams took time to settle into their game plans. There were a few errors on both sides as they looked to gain the upper hand, leading to a lower-scoring start. East Perth would have to work hard for their chances early in this game.

The Royals enjoyed more of the play early, especially around the contested ball, but struggled to convert that pressure into clear opportunities up forward. Swan Districts’ defenders were solid, intercepting a lot of East Perth’s entries into the forward 50. Despite this, the Royals held a narrow 5-point lead at the first break, with the score at (2.1 – 13) to (1.2 – 8). There was plenty of room for improvement in the second quarter.

The second quarter played out similarly to the first. Swan Districts began to win more of the ball, but East Perth showed more structure in their game plan. The Royals’ defensive efforts were particularly impressive, with the backline locking down Swan Districts’ forwards and limiting their scoring opportunities.

Ethan Regan stood out once again, dominating aerial contests, and he was well-supported by the return of Corey Watts, who slotted in as a reliable lockdown defender. Going forward, East Perth worked hard to create attacking chances. With some great pressure and a bit of luck, they managed to kick a couple of goals late in the quarter, heading into halftime with a 14-point lead (4.4 – 28) to (2.2 – 14).

The second half saw the game open up for East Perth. The Royals had multiple flowing chains of play, linking up beautifully as they carried the ball from the defensive 50 to forward 50. It was a thrilling display of fast, free-flowing footy, as East Perth’s footy DNA was on show for all to see.

The Royals had 12 inside 50s to six, as they were starting to take control of the game. Despite their dominance, the margin still sat at 21 points heading into the final term (7.6 – 48) to (4.3 – 27). This left the door slightly ajar for Swan Districts to mount a comeback.

As the fourth quarter began, the message to the East Perth players was clear: ‘Take your chances’ and they certainly did. The Royals continued their run-and-carry ball movement, cutting through the opposition defence with ease. East Perth played out the game brilliantly, capitalising on every opportunity that came their way.

The Royals converted eight scoring shots from just 10 inside 50s, a testament to their efficiency in front of goal. For the first time in weeks, it felt like everything clicked for the team. They ran out the game comfortably, finishing 40-point victors with a final score of 13.8 (86) to 7.4 (46).

It was a great all-around display from the boys, securing their 7th win of the season. Several players stood out on the day, with Tom North (28 disposals, seven inside 50s), Angus Scott (31 disposals, six marks), and Scott Jones (21 disposals, 46 hitouts) once again putting in best-on-ground performances. Tom Medhat was a strong presence up forward, kicking three goals, while Zac Raykos also relished his role in the forward line, booting three goals. In the backline, Harrison Macreadie (17 disposals, eight marks) had one of his best performances for the season, well supported by fellow key defenders Ethan Regan and Corey Watts.

A great performance that saw East Perth play some of their best footy for the season, which is crucial heading into the latter stages of the year. The win put the Royals back in 3rd on the ladder, with an away trip to Peel  lined up for a big match next Saturday. The game against the Thunder is on the 5th of July at 1:10 pm at Lane Group Stadium. Enjoy the road trip down to Mandurah to watch the black and blue continue their charge up the ladder!