Round 1 – Swan Districts v Perth Match ReportSunday, March 19, 2017 - 12:28 AM - by Chris Pike

PERTH made a flying start with eight first quarter goals but Swan Districts took over from there to record a 12-point Round 1 WAFL victory on Saturday at Steel Blue Oval.

Both teams occupied the bottom two spots on the ladder at the end of the 2016 season, so getting off to a fast start was going to be important as they look to make dramatic improvements in 2017.

It was all out attack in the opening quarter with both sides playing attractive and attacking football, and most importantly taking their chances in front of goal.

The result was 12 goals between them in the opening term and the Demons kicked the opening four, and then eight to four to hold a 24-point advantage at quarter-time.

Things quietened down a little in the second quarter and despite Perth managing just the one goal, the Demons did still lead by 11 points at the long break.

Swans did continue to turn things around in the third quarter kicking four goals to two and that saw the black-and-whites hold a slender lead at the last change, leading the Demons by just the six points.

Swan Districts had the momentum and despite only kicking one goal in the last term, that was the only major of the quarter and was enough to secure the 12.11 (83) to 11.5 (71) victory.

There was plenty of exuberance at Bassendean in the summer because of the players coming in and back to the club, and the evidence of that was clearly on display on Saturday.

Jamie Bennell, Corey Gault and David Ellard have all returned to Swans following their AFL careers and had a tremendous impact on the win over Perth.

Bennell finished the day with 32 possessions and nine marks, Ellard had 27 disposals and a goal while Gault delivered 19 touches, seven marks, 10 hit outs and two goals.

Xavier Ellis and Ryan Crowley are two tried and tested AFL veterans who have joined Swans in 2017 too and both were outstanding. Ellis was best afield with 27 possessions and four goals. Crowley was influential with his 20 disposals, six marks, five tackles and a goal.

There were plenty other standout performers for the black-and-whites with Matt Riggio racking up 34 possessions, Freddie Clutterbuck 22, Alex Howard 21, Jarrad Blight 20 and Tony Notte 16 to go with 11 marks.

While Perth couldn’t keep up its fast start, there were plenty of things to like for coach Earl Spalding.

Corey Byrne kicked two goals to go with 19 possessions while Sam Garstone also booted two majors.

New captain Clint Jones kept up his form from last season with 27 possessions, five marks and three tackles for the Demons.

Reigning fairest and best winner Michael Sinclair collected another 25 disposals while Brant Colledge marked his return to Perth from West Coast with 21 touches and four tackles.

Perth blooded plenty of young talent with an eye to the future and the best of those was Cody Ninyette who finished with 15 possessions, six tackles and a goal.

Swan Districts remains at Steel Blue Oval to host South Fremantle next Saturday. Perth heads to Leederville Oval to play Subiaco also on Saturday.

SWAN DISTRICTS        4.1    7.3    11.8    12.11    (83)
PERTH                8.1    9.2    11.2    11.5    (71)

SWAN DISTRICTS – Goals: Ellis 4; Gault 2; Noble, Cary, Crowley, Stewart, Banfield, Ellard.
Best: Ellis, Ellard, Bennell, Riggio, Crowley, Gault, Notte.
PERTH – Goals: Byrne, Garstone 2; Edmonds, Johnson, Ninyette, Wilkins, White, Walley, Tropiano.
Best: Sinclair, Jones, Colledge, Byrne, Ninyette.