Match Report – Swans lock in finals spotSunday, August 8, 2021 - 10:13 AM - by Matt Paddick

PEEL Thunder certainly made them fight for it but Swan Districts got the win they needed to book in a first finals appearance under the tenure of coach Adam Pickering with Saturday's 52-point triumph.

Swans suffered a slip up the previous week with a surprise loss on the road to East Fremantle to leave them the only slightly vulnerable team in the top five to the chasing pack.

But the black-and-whites closed the door on those below on Saturday with a 52-point win against the gallant yet undermanned Peel at Steel Blue Oval.

The win means that Swans are locked into a finals position for the first time since 2017 and the first time since Adam Pickering took over as coach. 

The win improves them to a 9-6 record on the season and with a healthy percentage meaning they hold an unassailable three-game and percentage lead on the next closest challenger, the sixth placed East Perth.

Despite the Swans never losing the lead, Peel fought hard to stay in the contest in what was their second straight match with the availability of just the one Fremantle-listed player, but were outgunned by the Swans in a classy effort.

Frank Anderson was his usual busy self, with 30 disposals, 11 tackles and two goals in a mighty effort to show the way for Swan Districts, while Aidan Clarke was also prolific with an equal game high 33 touches.

Meanwhile, the Thunder’s Tyrone Thorne battled hard all day for 33 disposals, while Michael Randall won plenty of the football with 25 possessions.

The Swans started the game on their terms, as Brayden Noble looked to be a force up forward. Within the first 10 minutes, the forward had three marks inside-50 and three shots on goal, but could only convert one through the big sticks.

Peel had periods throughout the quarter where they looked to danger Swan Districts, as Brayden Lawler put through the first for the Thunder.

However, the Swans were the ones to take the advantage, as they were able to have 12 inside 50s for the quarter to the Thunder’s four. Swan Districts put on another two goals near the end of the term to lead by 15 points at the first break.

The team in black-and-white came out firing in the second term, with midfielder Frank Anderson kicking two of the team’s three for the term.

It was beginning to look like trouble for Peel, who struggled to score despite better ball movement in their forward half, mostly due to pressure from the Swans defence.

However, persistence pays off in football, as forward Ryan Bennell provided a spark up forward, kicking two goals within three minutes to breathe life back into the Thunder.

Despite the periods of momentum for Peel, the Swans were able to increase their lead to 24 points at half-time. 

Peel looked inspired after the main break, carrying the late momentum from the first half into the second. The Thunder kicked two goals in the first part of the third quarter, making it four in a row.

Their pressure and willingness to be first to the football was the key to getting themselves within 13 points of the Swans. 

Swan Districts needed to get the game back on their terms, which they were able to do with two goals of their own.  Both teams were feeling the pressure, which combined with wet conditions meant both teams were not playing clean, free flowing football.

However, it was still to the advantage of the Swans, who led by 25 points at three quarter-time.

Tony Notte climbed high to take a great grab, in a passage of play which led to a goal off the boot of Noble. From there the Swans would not be denied, kicking six goals to Peel’s two to run away with the 14.5 (99) to 7.5 (47) victory.

CHANGE OF ROLES WORKS WONDERS 
Adam Pickering has never been a stranger to throwing the magnets around and that was no different on Saturday. Jesse Palmer, who is the Swans leading goal scorer, spent plenty of time on the ball, which allowed Frank Anderson and Sam Fisher to spend time up forward to impact the scoreboard. The midfield pair kicked three goals between them and had five shots on goal, while Palmer had 20 touches with eight tackles in his extended midfield time. It’s an asset for the Swans which may come in handy come finals time.

DÉJÀ VU FOR BENNELL
When the Thunder were surging but unable to put scores on the board in the second term, they needed someone to stand up in front of goal. Ryan Bennell was the man, as he was able to burst through traffic in the forward 50 and snap around the corner for a great goal. Less than three minutes later, the ball was again in Peel’s forward 50, and again it was Bennell who navigated his way through traffic to kick a goal out of nowhere. It was the start of a four-goal run for the Thunder as they fought back into the contest.

NOTTE WINDS BACK THE CLOCK
It feels like he should be older than just 31, but Tony Notte appears by no means nearing the end of his career, and he showed it at the beginning of the fourth quarter. With the first goal imperative for both teams to get momentum on their side, the ball was sent high out of the Swans defensive 50. Swans needed a contest, and Notte delivered in game 260, getting high in the air to take a screamer of a mark. It delighted the Swans faithful at the ground and was the start of a passage of play ending in a goal to Brayden Noble. Notte had a solid day out overall, finishing with 18 disposals and eight crucial marks.

OPTUS WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 18

SWAN DISTRICTS        3.4    6.8    8.11    14.15 (99)
PEEL THUNDER            1.1    3.2    5.4    7.5 (49)

SWAN DISTRICTS: Goals – Noble 3; Anderson, Clarke, Wilson 2; Palmer, Fisher, Cipro, Turner, Watson.
Best – Anderson, Clarke, Turner, Notte, Noble, Jones, Palmer, Fisher, Cipro.
PEEL THUNDER: Goals – Sears, Bennell 2; Lawler, Lake Cullen.
Best – Thorne, Randall, Bell, Sturrock, Lawler, Kitchingman, Bennell.