Key forward kicks two in Swans round one win, Mountford reported in Tigers loss and Pearce shines in reserves

Royals key forward Tom Edwards booted two goals for Swan Districts as the 2024 WAFL season got under way at the weekend. Edwards, now a key part of the Swans attacking half, was part of the team that finished emphatic 64-point winners over West Coast at Steel Blue Oval on Saturday. The Swans skipped clear by half time and Edwards booted two final quarter goals as his side put the Eagles to the sword, recording a 21.11 (137) to 10.13 (73) victory. Playing as a key target in attack, Edwards finished with 12 disposals and seven marks to start the new WAFL season. Round one started on Thursday night when West Perth hosted Claremont and despite the best efforts of Great Southern pair Declan Mountford and Anthony Davis, the Tigers went down by two points. Mountford was named in the Tigers best players after a strong midfield display while Davis won plenty of the ball in the back half but a late goal from Keegan Knott handed the Falcons a narrow win. Hailing from North Albany, Mountford had 25 possessions, six marks, six tackles and five inside-50s in a terrific display. However the Tigers league captain was reported for intentionally kicking Sandover medallist Aaron Black in the third quarter. Borden product Davis gathered 23 disposals and took six marks in a solid first-up display. Railways junior Jye Clark kicked a vital goal for Perth in their 14-point league win over Subiaco at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday. Clark finished with four touches and three tackles but he booted the Demons opening goal of the game to halt the Lions early momentum. Ex-Railways key position player Jacob Blight was impressive as Peel Thunder started their league campaign with a 19-point win over East Fremantle on Saturday at Lane Group Stadium. Blight was rock solid in defence, collecting 13 disposals, seven marks and laying four tackles. In the reserves competition, North Albany midfielder Alex Pearce was dominant with 31 disposals in a losing affair for East Perth. South Fremantle ran out 19-point winners but Pearce was superb, racking up a stack of the ball to go with 11 marks, nine tackles and nine inside-50s. Two Great Southern young guns featured in Claremont’s round one colts team, Lucas Ravenhill (North Albany) and Rory Luscombe (Royals). Ravenhill finished with nine possessions, four marks, six hit-outs, three inside-50s and a goal while Luscombe made his debut and collected six disposals and three marks.