Davis sends reminder of quality by winning Simpson MedalTuesday, May 26, 2015 - 2:44 AM - by Chris Pike

RYAN Davis has been among the most damaging players in the WAFL for several years as a hard-tackling, skilful and goalkicking half-forward since settling into that role and the Swan Districts premiership player was a clear choice for the Simpson Medal in Saturday's State game.

Davis kicked five goals in the WAFL's 45-point win over the SANFL at Lathlain Park on Saturday to go along with 25 possessions, 10 inside-50 entries and eight marks and following the game, was awarded the Simpson Medal after being judged Western Australia's best player.

Despite still being only 25 years of age, Davis has now played 123 WAFL matches with Swan Districts and did play 14 AFL games with the West Coast Eagles way back in 2008 and 2009, but that was when he was considered a running defender.

However, since 2012 Davis has settled into a role playing mostly as a forward with stints in the midfield and his work rate has gone through the roof becoming a ferocious tackler who then constantly sends his team into attack, kicks goal and has been a match-winner a host of times.

In his last 66 games with Swans, Davis has kicked 102 goals and now has also played in the last two State games for the WAFL firstly in last year's 85-point win over the NEAFL in Sydney, and then on Saturday in the 45-point victory against the SANFL at Lathlain Park.

Davis has enjoyed his chances to play for WA and has no doubt that Saturday's win over South Australia highlights the strength of the WAFL competition.

"I haven’t tasted a loss yet playing for WA and hopefully I can keep that trend going," Davis said.

"It's massive for our competition to try and show our wares across the land, and to show that we really are a top tier competition and that people should be looking to come across here if they want to play really good football.

"We set ourselves to have a massive game because they are such a strong outfit and we took some steps in the right direction to firm ourselves as one of the best state leagues."

Davis obviously enjoyed the fact that he played so well personally in WA's win over South Australia, but it was the end result that made it a memorable day.

"It's always good to get the personal accolades, but the team really gelled well and we played to the structures that the coaching staff gave us, and the feeling afterwards was absolute elation," he said.

"It's always encouraging personally to be able to play good footy against some quality opposition like South Australia. You never go out to play badly obviously and when the ball bounces your way like it did for me out there, it's an awesome feeling."

The way the game panned out, it was played on WA's terms with the running game coming to the fore.

The WAFL was allowed plenty of space in a five-man forward-line that Davis certainly enjoyed alongside Cory Dell'Olio and Shane Yarran kicked three goals apiece along with his Swans mate Tony Notte, and Subiaco big men Lachlan Delahunty and Clancy Wheeler.

"When you are a couple of goals up and things are starting to go your way, the football field is a very enjoyable place and that was a fun game to play in the longer it went out there," he said.

"We really enjoyed working together in that forward-line with a fair bit of space for us to work in. Our defence pressure gave us the chance to get them on the way back and gave us a bit of space through the middle of the ground. You are always licking your lips when you are a forward when you have 100 metres to spare."

Davis' focus now returns to the WAFL season and this Saturday Swan Districts takes on Perth at Steel Blue Oval.

Swans did smash the Demons by 96 points in Round 1, but Perth has been much more competitive since then and with the black-and-whites having now lost to Claremont and Subiaco leading into the State game break, Davis knows it's important they bounce back to stay in touch with the top five.

"The Ducks aren’t travelling the best at the moment," Davis said.

"We are sitting 3-5 just out of the top five and we've got Perth now next week and hopefully we can put a strong showing in there and start getting some more wins on the board."