Smith earned five points as the Swans beat the Eagles to finish the season on a high

SYDNEY ended a difficult third season on a high as Bella Smith scored five goals in a 46-point demolition of Waalich Marawar (West Coast Eagles) in a closely fought contest at Henson Park.

The Swans’ campaign was disrupted by injuries to key players but with midfielder Laura Gardiner back to her best form, last year’s finalists ended a six-match losing streak with a 10.14 (74) to 4 win over the Eagles ,4 (28) on Saturday. noon.

The defeat was the Eagles’ fifth in a terrible run that has knocked them out of finals contention after a promising start to their first season under coach Daisy Pearce.

The retiring Brooke Lochland scored the Swans’ first goal of the season opener, but it was Bec Privitelli who opened the game after the break.

The Swans’ key forward kicked two goals as the hosts took advantage of strong gusty winds to open up what would prove to be a match-winning lead in their second season, although Privitelli may rue a missed opportunity to bag his own. I’m still finishing 3.3.

Gardiner reminded the Swans of what they missed when she was ruled out at the height of their losing streak as the 2023 All-Australian collected a record 26 disposals in her second game back from injury.

While sophomore Swan typically does most of the damage during stops, Gardiner made just as much of an impact, helping anchor the ball forward with eight shots inside the 50 against the Eagles.

The Swans continued to control the stoppages of play with Tanya Kennedy (18 clearances, six clearances) taking command and young guns Sophia Hurley (20, five) and Cynthia Hamilton (15, two) also helping to provide competition for the Eagles team. .

Tempers flared at the three-quarter time siren when Eagles defenders brought down Smith after the Swans striker scored her third goal to extend the margin to 23 points.

But the visitors failed to bring any heat after the last change as they lost by zero points while the Swans kept them at arm’s length to set Smith up for a career-high success.

Bella Lewis gave the Eagles hope for a bright future as the 21-year-old scored 23 goals in her 50th appearance, while Ella Roberts (20) ended the season in style and Charlie Thomas (23) added plenty of drive.

Amy Franklin kicked two goals in the season opener and finished with three, but in the end the Eagles didn’t have enough firepower to match the Swans.

Topics for conversation

All-Australian Lochland representative goes out in style
Goal-scoring Brooke Lochland turned back the clock in her farewell match in Sydney as the curtain closed on a glittering career. The 33-year-old was mobbed by her teammates after winning the Swans’ first major but was soon moved to the wing as the hosts used her experience to prevent the Eagles from going over the top. Lochland’s retirement marks the end of an era that saw her as one of the competition’s early stars and a standout 2018 season as the AFLW’s leading goalkeeper, All-Australian and Western Bulldogs premiership player. Lochland joined the Swans as first-time co-captain in 2022 and showed signs against the Eagles that she still has plenty of money in the tank even after 64 appearances for the two clubs.

Western goes coast to coast to rock the Eagles
Waalij Marawar was on the edge and looking for a way back into contention when Mikayla Western took matters into her own hands in the second term. The midfielder broke away from the group near the Eagles’ 50-metre defensive arc before opening the game with a perfectly weighted pass to Sarah Lackey on the wing. Western continued to run hard into space to receive a hand pass from Bella Lewis before firing forward 50 meters and within striking distance. The 26-year-old emerged as the team’s best player to help the Eagles stay in touch with the Swans and score the goal of the year late.

Next
The season is over for both sides. The Swans finish 15th in the league table and the Eagles 13th but could drop one place if Carlton beat Essendon on Saturday night.

SYDNEY 2.2 5.6 7.9 10.14 (74)
WAALITJ MARAWAR 2.2 3.2 4.4 4.4 (28)

GOALS
Sydney: Smith 5, Privitelli 3, Lochland, K.Hamilton
Waalij Marawar: Franklin 3, Western

BEST
Sydney: Gardiner, Kennedy, Smith, Hurley, Privitelli, K. Hamilton.
Waalij Marawar: Thomas, Roberts, Lackey, Lewis

INJURIES
Sydney: Zero
Waalij Maravar: Zero

Crowd: 2,685 at Henson Park.