If you conjured an image in your mind of perfect football weather, today’s match-up provided just that.
The first bounce at Bassendean occurred in a a mild 20 degrees with a zephyr of a breeze, something which Swan Districts took advantage of early.
The Eagles were kept scoreless until 26 minutes into the first quarter, with two behinds managing to trickle in before the break.
This set the scene for the clash, with the final score Swans 13.15 (94) to Eagles 8.7 (55).
Jamaine Jones was a silver lining for the side, snapping a goal late in the second to provide the Eagles with their first major of the day.
The Eagles worked hard but struggled to penetrate the resolute Swan Districts defence and did not get another look at goal until Brayden Ainsworth’s snap in the third, which was the Eagles’ only goal of the quarter.
While the game appeared to be a lost cause going into the fourth term, the West Coast outfit fought back with renowned vigour, and committed to winning the quarter, which they achieved.
Cooper Nitschke was first to provide the Eagles with their encouraging finish, followed readily by seven other teammates.
Another positive was the return of Mark Hutchings, with the 2018 premiership midfielder accumulating 21 disposals, five tackles, and three marks despite managed game time.
Hutchings has been out for over 12 months, with a series of injuries including his knee, toe and hamstring injuries.
SWAN DISTRICTS 4.6 6.9 10.15 13.16 94
WEST COAST 0.2 1.4 2.4 8.7 55
GOALS
Swan Districts: J Palmer 4; T Edwards 3; A Clarke, W Reidy, C Gault, T Bayok, M Riggio, T Notte
West Coast: J Jones 2; - B Johnson, B Ainsworth, H Brayshaw, H Sinclair, C Flint, C Nitschke.
BEST
Swan Districts: Palmer, Riggio, Waite, Anderson, Thomas.
West Coast: Ainsworth, Jones, Brayshaw, Hutchings, Sinclair, Foley, Flint.