The WAFL Eagles have secured a hard-fought seven-point victory over Swan Districts, 14.12 (96) to 13.11 (89), in a fiery round 10 clash at Steel Blue Oval on Saturday afternoon.

Coming off an upset win over ladder-leaders Claremont, the Eagles were made to work early as Swan Districts started strongly, before a composed second-half performance saw the visitors edge ahead and hold on under late pressure.

Matt Flynn joined the contest midway through the opening term after being listed as an AFL emergency earlier in the day, while the return of captain Callum Jamieson provided a welcome boost following his stint on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.

The Swans jumped out of the blocks with early goals to Brad Lynch and Leigh Kohlmann, controlling possession and applying solid pressure in attack. Tyrell Dewar sparked the Eagles with their first major, before Jack Williams joined him on the scoreboard as West Coast worked their way back into the contest.

Despite the Eagles’ response, Swan Districts maintained a slender lead through the opening term, with Lynch’s second goal giving the home side an eight-point buffer at quarter-time in what was shaping as a tight arm wrestle.

The second quarter continued in a similar vein, with plenty of feeling between the sides. Kohlmann extended the Swans’ lead early before Harry Barnett responded for West Coast.

Goals to Otis Harvey and Lynch pushed the margin beyond three goals at one stage, but the Eagles refused to go away.

Sam Cipriani and Malakai Champion both hit the scoreboard, while Williams added his third as the visitors continued to chip away at the deficit. Dewar’s third late in the term capped a strong finish, trimming the margin to just three points at the main break.

West Coast carried that momentum into the third term, with Cipriani kicking truly to hand the Eagles their first lead of the afternoon. The contest tightened as both sides lifted their defensive pressure, but it was the visitors who made the most of their opportunities.

Dewar continued to impress with his pace and finishing ability, booting his fourth goal, while Lucca Grego added another long-range major to extend the Eagles’ advantage to 13-points at the final change.

Swan Districts challenged strongly in the last quarter, cutting the margin back with early goals before Jovan Petric brought it within two points.

Clay Hall steadied the Eagles with a timely goal, before Tylah Williams pushed the lead out further as West Coast looked to seal the result.

Lynch’s fourth kept the Swans within striking distance late, but the Eagles’ defence stood firm under pressure to secure a deserved win.

Clint Hinchliffe was impressive for the Swans finishing with 32 disposals, while Turner and Cipro were equally impressing finishing with 30 disposals. Kohlmann was also influential with two goals and strong presence around the ground.

For West Coast, Jack Williams led the charge up forward with three goals, while Tyrell Dewar’s pace and impact were on full display with four majors.

Josh Burke was solid in defence, finishing with five marks, while Flynn worked hard in the ruck dominating with 40 hit outs. Fin Macrae continued his dominant form leading with 25 disposals.

West Coast now heads into the bye before returning in round 12 to face East Perth at Sullivan Logistics Stadium on Friday, June 26 from 7.10pm.

SWAN DISTRICTS: 6.1, 10.3, 10.9, 13.11 (89)
WEST COAST: 4.5, 9.6, 12.9,14.12 (96)

GOALS

Swan Districts: Lynch (4), Kholmann (2), Hewett, Loftus, Turner, Harvey, Kelly, McLachlan, Petric.
West Coast: Dewar (4), Williams (3), Cipriani (2), Hall, Champion, Barnett, Grego, T. Williams.

BEST

Swan Districts: Hinchliffe, Turner, Cipro, Lynch, Kholmann.
West Coast: J. Williams, Burke, Macrae, Flynn, Francou, Dewar, Cipriani.