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Swans overrun by Falcons in Notte's 250th

Wednesday, May 12, 2021 - 9:11 AM by Chris Pike

Swan Districts appeared on track for a fourth straight win when leading by 30 points early in the third quarter, but West Perth had other ideas to turn it around in stunning fashion to win by nine points at Provident Financial Oval.

Since an opening round narrow loss to Claremont, Swan Districts has been in some impressive form winning their last three matches to be knocking on the door of top spot on the WAFL ladder.

They appeared to be taking another step closer on Saturday and were on track for a fourth successive victory by opening up a five-goal lead over West Perth.

Not only did Swans appear on track for the fourth straight win, but to also celebrate the 250th game of dual Swan Medallist Tony Notte in style with a victory against the Falcons at Joondalup.

West Perth had other ideas, though, and at 1-3 over their opening four matches, the season of the Falcons could very well have been relying on them finding a way to fightback too.

West Perth responded in remarkable fashion but still by three quarter-time they were down by 15 points. The Falcons would kick the only four goals of the last term, though, to claim the memorable 9.8 (62) to 8.5 (53) victory with the loss tough to swallow for Swans.

Thomas Edwards had a big hand in setting up the lead for Swan Districts with three goals from just four kicks with Brayden Noble kicking two majors.

Frank Anderson continued his outstanding form for Swan Districts with another 29 possessions and nine tackles while Jackson Beck had 25 touches, Josh Cipro 24 and Tarir Bayok 18.

Corey Gault was a dominant presence in the ruck with 26 possessions and 36 hit outs while down back, Nelson Waite finished with another 26 disposals and Chris Jones 19 touches and nine marks.

For the second straight week Swan Districts got off to a flying start and on Saturday it was Tony Notte who almost made the perfect start to his 250th game for Swans, but his first score of the game turned out to be a behind.

But Thomas Edwards ensured Swans did kick the first goal and then they were still up by eight points at quarter-time thanks to another major from Brayden Noble.

Swan Districts then kicked further ahead during the second quarter with goals to Jiah Reidy and a second to Edwards. When Edwards kicked his third of the half just before half-time, the black-and-white were in control up by 23 points and having conceded just the one goal.

Noble added his second goal of the game to start the second half and suddenly Swans were out to a 30-point lead, and you could have been excused for thinking they were well on track for what would have been a fourth consecutive win.

But 15 minutes into the second quarter, West Perth began to make its charge back and it all began with debutant Jack Burke kicking truly.

Rudy Riddoch was able to add a couple as well before three quarter-time against his former side to help the Falcons back within 15 points with a quarter to play.

Riddoch then kicked a third to bring West Perth within eight points to start the fourth term and it was all the Falcons from there with goals to Liam Tedesco, Tyson Moulton and Tom O'Donnell as they turned that 30-point deficit into a nine-point victory.

Meanwhile, Swan Districts' reserves earlier scored a 13.11 (89) to 11.6 (72) victory against West Perth.

Kristian Caporn and Warrick Wilson kicked three goals apiece for Swans, and Tim Oosterhoff and Atem Deng two.

Deng also had 22 possessions, Dylan Ralph 21, Kade Wallrodt 19, Denzel More 18 and Callum Garcia 18 to go with eight tackles.

And in the colts to start the day up at Joondalup, Swan Districts also scored a 10.7 (67) to 8.5 (53) victory.

Max Chipper was brilliant for Swans with 34 possessions and three goals while Noah Hannan kicked two goals from 19 disposals.

Ben Hewett also amassed 27 touches, Bailey Jenkin 23 and Darcy Jones 22 while Beau Luzi had 22 hit outs.

 

OPTUS WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 6

SWAN DISTRICTS                              2.2          5.2          8.3          8.5 (53)

WEST PERTH                                      1.0          1.3          5.6          9.8 (62)

 

SWAN DISTRICTS: Goals – Edwards 3; Noble 2; Anderson, Fisher, Reidy.

Best – Gault, Anderson, Waite, Cipro, Beck, Jones, Bayok.

WEST PERTH: Goals – Riddoch 3; Moulton 2; Tedesco, Lynch, O'Donnell, Burke.

Best – Nelson, Tedesco, West, Black, Guadagnin, Pegoraro.