To kick 16 goals against East Fremantle, which was playing on its home ground, and fielding 16 members of last year's premiership team, was a remarkable feat on the part of the Swan Districts team on Saturday, and vindicates the league's action in admitting the new club. Swan Districts took a little time to settle down, and three goals were scored against it before Sweetapple kicked a goal. Showing great improvement, individually and collectively, and tackling with rare force.
Swan Districts had reason to be pleased with its half-time score of 6.4 as against East Fremantle's 7.14. Swan Districts was the better side in the third quarter. On three occasions, the goal scores were level, though East Fremantle led on points, while towards the end of the term Swan District's goal tally stood at 13, and East Fremantle's at 12. The term showed that the newcomers were worthy foemen of a side that had won 17 premierships and only 12 behinds separated the clubs at the last change. Fifteen minutes before the final bell, Swan Districts had reduced the leeway to a mere point, and its probable victory was widely discussed. Both sides gave their maximum, but several costly errors by the attack of Swan Districts and the fine work of G. Doig, decided the game in East Fremantle's favour, the winning margin being 17 points. The teams were:-EAST FREMANTLE - Backs: C. James, Woods, N. Doig. Half-backs: Fordham, Jarvis, Munro. Centres: Taylor, C. Doig, W. Doig. Half-forwards: Migro, Kingsbury, Enright. Forwards: Reynolds, G. Doig, Martiensen. Ruck: W. James, G. Mann, McGlinn (rover). Nineteenth man: Donegan (did not play).
SWAN DISTRICTS - Backs: Ford, Reilly, Penberthy. Half-backs: Perham, Clarke, Zilco. Centres: Krepp, Grieve, Mosey. Half-forwards: Kneebone, Parks, Bee. Forwards: Hellmrich, Gorn, Dawes. Ruck: Forbes, Millward, Sweetapple (rover). Nineteenth man: Broomhall (did not play).
UMPIRE - C. Cook.
East Fremantle began in approved style, and quickly provided an object lesson to Swan Districts. Judicious handball and accurate passing assisted East Fremantle to raise three goals before Swan Districts really began. Till then Swan Districts matched East Fremantle only in vigour, though Clarke and Zilco in defence were playing with fine dash. Swan Districts quickly realised the value of shepherding, following up, and disposing of the ball, and two goals by Sweetapple put heart into the side. Four of East Fremantle's five goals were kicked by G.Doig.
At quarter time the scores were :- East Fremantle 5.5; Swan Districts 2.2.
Penberthy scored a goal from a free kick but East Fremantle by following up, scouting and showing anticipation, scored twice through the agency of Reynolds and McGlinn. For Swan Districts, Penberthy and Zilco were prominent, and dash was imparted into the play of Krepp, Park, Mosey and Grieve. East Fremantle failed to convert many reasonable opportunities, but the Swan Districts team, continually improving in its methods, was shooting accurately, and by adding three goals in succession ended the quarter with credit.
The scores were :- East Fremantle, 7.14; Swan Districts, 6.4.
Park, who had played splendidly throughout, aided Gorn to score a goal in reply to McGlinn's and a quarter of excellent football ensued. Swan Districts' smaller players shaped well, and fortunately Bee found his old form, three goals being scored for Swan Districts in less than two minutes. At times, Swan Districts played high-class league football. On three occasions, it levelled the goal scores, and towards the end of the term had actually scored 13 goals to East Fremantle's 12. East Fremantle rallied, and led at three-quarter time :- 13.17 to 13.5.
Martiensen increased the gap in East Fremantle's favour, but Zilco, Penberthy, Clarke, and Ford, broke up further assaults, and Swan Districts, showing perfect condition, scored the next three goals. It had then approached to within a point of East Fremantle's score. East Fremantle, now quite alarmed, played feverishly, and assisted by errors on the part of its opponents, went to lie attack. G. Doig kicked two goals, making the match safe for his side.
The final score :- East Fremantle, 16.23; Swan Districts, 16.6.
East Fremantle's victory was mainly due to the excellence of G. Doig, whose position play and high marking were fine, and without whom East Fremantle must have been beaten. Jarvis was easily the pick of the defence, a few of his colleagues being considerably below form. Fordham's display was spoiled by a transfer during the match to half-forward. At centre, C.Doig played attractively, and supplied his forwards with many opportunities. Reynolds combined well with the other members of the attack, while McGlinn showed brilliant speed as rover.
Perhaps Swan Districts excelled in its defence lines, where Penberthy, Clarke and Zilco stood out. Penberthy marked particularly well, while Clarke's strong dashes and the general ability of Zilco were most serviceable to the new club. The centre line—Krepp, Grieve and Mosey fought an even battle with its immediate opponents, Krepp playing like an artist, and Grieve showing' many of the finer points required at the centre position. The forwards acquitted themselves well. Park playing with skill and dash and Bee in his best form. Gorn and Dawes gave strong support. Forbes, a ruckman, also impressed. The game was well handled by C.Cook, who made his first appearance as a league umpire.
Game details including full match scores, goalkickers and team lists: East Fremantle v Swan Districs, Round 1, 1934