Swans steel blunts Bulldogs

An energetic Swan Districts have ended South Fremantle’s unbeaten start to the WAFL season and announced themselves as genuine finals threats.

Playing with great intensity from start to finish, Swans ran out 21-point winners, 12.16 (88) to 9.13 (67), in front of a small but jubilant Steel Blue Oval crowd.

Tim Geappen’s three second-half goals were critical to the result as a group of unheralded players produced outstanding efforts.

Jarrad Blight switched well between a back-up ruck role and standing Ashton Hams while Matt Rogers prevented Kyle Hams producing his customary run from defence.

And Tony Notte proved pivotal in defence where his strong display in the third term, which included four contested marks at centre half-back, prevented South surges.

Blight finished with 30 possessions in one of his best games since returning from Collingwood.

Geappen had been well held by Blayne Wilson but got free to kick two quick goals in the third term as Swans set up their bid for their second win at home this season.

South bounced back in the second term with Josh Pullman producing a sterling effort in the forward 50.
He dragged in three strong marks and kicked two goals to keep his team in the contest.

Swans’ urgency was evident in the first quarter when they restricted the Bulldogs to just two behinds until well into time on.

And after controlling the midfield for most of the term, Swans harvested their advantage late in the piece with a flurry of scoring that saw them take a 16-point lead at the first break.

They did not surrender the lead for the rest of the game as they held onto their place in the top five.

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