Match Report – Swans move closer to securing finalsSunday, July 25, 2021 - 1:03 AM - by Charlie McCormack

SWAN Districts proved too good for Perth once again on Saturday at Steel Blue Oval to bounce back from last week's loss to win by 24 points and go a long way to locking a return to finals.

Swans were disappointed with a six-goal home loss to the reigning premiers South Fremantle last Saturday but they responded strongly this Saturday to beat the Demons by four goals.

The 13.13 (91) to 10.7 (67) victory also at Steel Blue Oval means Swan Districts has now won the last three games over Perth while it improves them to an 8-5 record on the season to move a giant step closer to playing finals for the first time in Adam Pickering's tenure as coach.

It's a sixth loss in-a-row for the remarkably undermanned Perth who did put in a competitive showing but ultimately at 4-9 and with a poor percentage, back-to-back finals appearances are looking more and more unlikely each week.

Swan Districts' midfield duo Sam Fisher (37 disposals, two goals) and Frank Anderson (31 disposals) were typically prolific for the home side while defender Brandon Erceg was a pillar of strength in defence, impressing with his intercept marking.  

For the visitors, Kristian Cary was dangerous in attack, booting four goals as a lead-up forward while midfielder Corey Byrne provided a touch of class with his 26 disposals and two goals. 

Swan Districts made a fast start, with half-forward Lachlan Riley kicking two goals inside the first five minutes to give the home side the early jump.

Perth came with a clear intent to use overlap run to try to slice through the Swans defensive zone, but failed to connect early, as Swans pounced on some of their skill errors to bounce out to a 20-point lead at the first change.

The Demons responded in the second term, lifting their intensity around the ball and giving their forwards some more supply as they began to look dangerous in one on one contests to reduce the margin to 15 points at the long change. 

The sides would trade majors to begin the second half, before Swans were able to lock the ball in their forward half, and would extend their lead out to 30 points when Fisher kicked truly on the run.

But Perth would respond, with some clever ball use leading to Cary’s fourth goal before Byrne kicked a set shot after the three quarter-time siren to give his side an unlikely chance at victory. 

The Demons would continue to press and would get as close as 13 points when Clayton Giblett converted at the 19-minute mark of the final term. 

But Swans would avert the Perth charge, settling through goals to Fisher and Brayden Noble to secure the victory and close further in on a finals birth. 

SANDOVER MEDALLIST DELIVERS AGAIN
After amassing 41 disposals in a best on ground display against Perth back in Round 2, reigning Sandover Medallist Sam Fisher continued his match winning form against the Demons, this time racking up 37 disposals and two goals to probably secure the three Sandover votes once again. The 23-year-old was extremely clean with his hands and snapped a crucial goal in the final term to settle his side just when Perth was coming to put the cherry on top of another outstanding game from the Swans star. 

BATTLE OF CLASH OF STYLES
It was an intriguing clash between two sides who appeared to implement two different game-styles. The Demons came into the match with a clear intent try and use run and carry to give their forwards some quick ball movement but came unstuck at times by overusing the handball. In contrast, Swan Districts looked to control the tempo of the game more and looked more composed with ball in hand, resulting in them taking 39 more marks and allowing them to play the game on their terms for longer.

OPTUS WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 16

SWAN DISTRICTS        4.4    6.9    9.13    13.13 (91)
PERTH                1.2    4.6    7.6    10.7 (67)

SWAN DISTRICTS: Goals – Riley 3; Fisher, Noble 2; Palmer, Ireland Reidy, Edwards, Riggio, Jones.
Best – Fisher, Anderson, Riley, Cipro, Stephens, Erceg, Turner.
PERTH: Goals – Cary 4; Giblett 3; Byrne 2; Davis.
Best – Byrne, Davis, Cary, Reid, Sinclair, Fisher.