Royals Shine Over Clipped Swans

East Perth delivered a commanding performance on Saturday, June 28, defeating Swan Districts by 40 points at Steel Blue Oval in Round 12 of the 2025 WAFL season. The Royals were in control from the outset, maintaining a consistent level of intensity and execution to claim a 13.8 (86) to 7.4 (46) victory.

 

The opening term was tightly contested, with East Perth taking a narrow 13–8 lead into quarter time. From there, the Royals gradually asserted their authority. Their midfielders were clean around stoppages, generating repeated inside-50 entries, while their forwards capitalised with scoreboard pressure. By halftime, the lead had extended, and Swan Districts found themselves chasing the game.

 

To their credit, the Swans responded after the main break. A spirited third-quarter surge saw them string together multiple goals and wrestle back some momentum, giving the home crowd reason for optimism. However, East Perth weathered the challenge and closed out the game strongly, regaining control in the final quarter to seal a well-earned victory.

 

While individual stats weren't highlighted in official reports, it was East Perth’s even spread of contributors and composed ball use that stood out. Their ability to absorb pressure and punish mistakes proved decisive. For Swan Districts, the third-quarter fightback showed glimpses of promise, but inconsistency and missed opportunities ultimately let them down.

 

The result strengthens East Perth’s position heading into the back half of the season, while Swan Districts will be eager to regroup and address the lapses that cost them the game.

I was chatting away and focused on East Perth’s strong and commanding performance that I didn’t even think about grabbing food during the match. Instead, I parked myself at the Swan Districts bar and soaked it all in with a few Somersby’s ciders and some Melbourne Bitters in hand—an ideal combination for an afternoon of quality footy and Royals brilliance. It had been a while since I last tasted a Melbourne Bitter, and while it’s definitely an acquired taste, I found myself enjoying it more with each sip. There was something oddly satisfying about reacquainting myself with that bold, old-school flavour while watching East Perth methodically dismantle their opposition.

 

The Somersby’s ciders, on the other hand, provided a refreshing contrast. Their tart and slightly sour apple notes cut through the sharp bitterness of the beer perfectly, cleansing the palate and offering a lighter, crisper alternative between quarters. The cider’s effervescence paired nicely with the overcast and cooler afternoon atmosphere with some sun shining through. It is bright, punchy, and easy-drinking. It was a well-balanced beverage duo for a game where East Perth left no doubt about who was in charge.

That said, the drinks were priced at $9.50 each—not outrageous, but edging toward the expensive side, especially for a WAFL venue. While the drinks are fine, there's a slight sense that prices like these are sliding further and further higher in such a manner that is causing a potential point of no return. You cannot have drinks that expensive to begin to turn people away; or potentially bring in drinks from outside. For a club built on community, local pride, and accessible football, keeping things affordable remains just as important as what happens on the field.

 

It's always a pleasure to watch football at Bassendean between two, hard-working, no-frills clubs rich in their working-class history. Swans faithful are always great value to be around sharing drinks and soaking up the atmosphere, creating a spirited and welcoming atmosphere. Always a great Saturday afternoon out watching quality football. 

 

Anchors Aweigh: Fremantle Fend Off A Bounding North Melbourne

In a nail-biting Round 14 clash at Optus Stadium on a rather wet and crisp June evening at Optus Stadium with Fremantle narrowly edging out North Melbourne by six points, winning 10.13 (73) to 10.7 (67). The Dockers looked in control for most of the game, building a strong 28-point lead during the third quarter. However, a determined final-term surge from the Kangaroos brought the margin down to just a single point with minutes to play, setting up a thrilling finish.

North Melbourne’s comeback had the home crowd on edge, but it was Fremantle’s Luke Jackson who stepped up when it mattered most, kicking a crucial goal late in the fourth quarter to restore some breathing space. Just as the Kangaroos threatened to go coast-to-coast for a final attack, Josh Treacy took a match-saving mark in defence, halting the momentum and ensuring the Dockers held on for their fourth consecutive win.

Fremantle’s performance was highlighted by several standout contributors. Luke Jackson was instrumental, not only with his key goal but through his physical presence around the ground. Josh Treacy's last-minute intercept was arguably the most pivotal moment of the match. Corey Wagner also provided an early spark, nailing a long-range goal that kept the Dockers firing during the first half.

The match unfolded in contrasting quarters. North Melbourne got off to a strong start, leading by two points at quarter time. Fremantle then took control in the second and third quarters, kicking six goals to just three from the Kangaroos. But the final quarter belonged to North, as they piled on 4.2 to Fremantle's 2.2, nearly stealing the game.

Post-match, Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir praised his team’s composure under pressure, noting the importance of weathering North Melbourne’s late challenge. The win lifts the Dockers into sixth place on the ladder and continues their strong mid-season form. Meanwhile, the Kangaroos, despite the loss, showed considerable improvement and competitiveness that will hearten their supporters.

The condition of the Optus Stadium surface drew some criticism following heavy use during an NRL State of Origin clash earlier in the week. Players at times struggled for footing, but both sides adapted well to the challenging conditions.

Fremantle will now turn their attention to a Round 15 meeting with Essendon, while North Melbourne will look to build on the momentum from their strong final quarter in upcoming fixtures. Despite the result, both teams left the field with positives to take forward into the second half of the season.

On the food front I delved into the habanero hot chicken wings. Priced at $16.20, these wings made a bold impression with their smoky, tangy marinade and a heat that steadily built to a serious burn. Crispy on the outside and juicy within, they delivered plenty of flavour and fire for those game enough to take them on. While I have had these during cricket matches and some other events at the stadium, the price match is a little off-balance. However, the taste factor is very decent for a stadium offering and with the sauce that pairs with it, does go down rather nicely. 

Also on the stadium menu was the much-hyped cheeseburger kebab, priced at $18.50 — a figure that raised eyebrows before the first bite. Unfortunately, the taste didn’t come close to justifying the cost. Despite the novelty of wrapping classic cheeseburger ingredients — beef, cheese, pickles, and burger sauce — in a flatbread, the result was uninspiring. It tasted exactly like a stock standard cheeseburger you’d expect to get at any WAFL ground, sitting on the grassy banks watching a Saturday afternoon game. That kind of nostalgia is fine — even enjoyable — but not at nearly twenty dollars. For a stadium aiming to elevate its food offerings, this one felt like a half-hearted attempt dressed up as innovation. 

Even more disappointing were the spicy chicken dim sums, priced at $14.50. Despite their name, they lacked any noticeable spice, delivering a bland and uninspired flavour that fell flat from the first bite. The texture was rubbery and forgettable, and the overall taste was compared by one fan to “chewing cardboard in soy sauce.” At that price point, the quality simply didn’t match the cost — making them feel overpriced and underwhelming. It’s a clear case of style over substance, and unfortunately, the flavour didn’t deliver on the promise of heat or value.

Drinks that were consumed were Captain Morgan and Johnnie Walker which were mid-strengths and at 13.50. I have said it a million times that alco-pop taxes are not mitigating the consumption of alcohol in Australia and is simply not working. But they went down nicely with the wings and with good company also.

Another outing at Optus stadium done and dusted. A nice belated birthday treat for myself and was a nice evening out and was good fun all round. Hopefully do this all again sometime soon.