Swans hammer Demons for first win of 2021Saturday, April 10, 2021 - 8:43 PM - by Charlie McCormack

AN outstanding performance from reigning Sandover Medallist Sam Fisher has helped Swan Districts record their first victory of the Optus 2021 WAFL Premiership Season over Perth at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday night.

The 23 year-old was magnificent for the visitors, racking up 41 disposals and six tackles to lead his side to an impressive 6.13 (49) to 14.15 (99) victory. 

He was ably assisted by Frank Anderson (31 disposals and six tackles), whilst Nelson Waite and Brandon Erceg were outstanding in defence in what was a sensational team performance from the Swans.

On a night of few highlights for Perth, former West Coast premiership wingman Chris Masten was prolific with 29 possessions and young wingman Regan Clarke never stopped working for the home side, taking 10 marks and consistently providing an option as an outlet kick. 

The Swans started well early, winning the ball at the coalface and finding the scoreboard first, courtesy of former Port Adelaide listed forward Jesse Palmer.

It took young forward Jaiden Hunter to spark the Demons into action, taking a contested mark and drilling a set shot from 50 to put the home side on the board.

But after a hotly contested first term, Swan Districts asserted their dominance in the second quarter, holding Perth goalless whilst booting three of their own to skip out to a 26 point lead at half-time.

The Black Ducks were able to break down to Demons defensive structure, with third gamer Thomas Edwards sneaking over the back of the Perth press on three separate occasions to nab his first goal of the match and have alarm bells ringing in the Perth coaches box.

Perth came out of the sheds needing quick goals to reel in the deficit and were buoyed by a major to debutant Jordon Reid to keep in touch with the Swans early in the term.

But any chance of a comeback was quickly snuffed, with Swan Districts piling on six consecutive goals, to open up a 64-point margin early in the fourth quarter and ensure their triumph would never be in doubt.

On a rare sour note for the victors, star recruit Lewis Jetta limped off in the second quarter with a soft tissue complaint and did not return to the field. 

SWANS BACK SIX STANDS TALL

After conceding 133 points last week to Claremont, Swan Districts coach Adam Pickering would have been thrilled with the performance of his defenders against the Demons, holding them to a measly 49 points. Key defenders Alex Howard and Brandon Erceg were excellent for the visitors, intercepting multiple of Perth’s offensive forays, whilst running half back Nelson Waite provided run and dash out of defensive 50, in what was a terrific all round performance from the Black Ducks’ defensive unit.

VETERAN SWAN SHOWS HIS CLASS AROUND GOAL

Matt Riggio has been one of the WAFL’s most consistent midfielders over the past decade, registering over 200 games and compiling Swan Medals along the way along with being a premiership player in 2010. But on Saturday night, Riggio showed he could be just as effective in the forward line as he is on the ball. He booted four goals in an excellent display, including a set shot from 50 metres and a polished finish on the run in the third term.

OPTUS WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 2

PERTH                 2.4    2.5    3.7    6.13 (49)
SWAN DISTRICTS        3.4    6.7    11.12    14.15 (99)

PERTH: Goals – Reid 2; Langlands, Richardson, Edmonds, Hunter.
Best – Grey, Taylor, Edmonds, Masten, Nicholas, Davis.
SWAN DISTRICTS: Goals – Palmer, Riggio 4; Clarke, Fisher, Reidy, Edwards, Noble, Jones.
Best – Fisher, Anderson, Clarke, Riggio, Gault, Waite, Turner, Cipro.