SWFL take fifth straight carnival

The South West Football League has won its fifth-straight Landmark Carnival Championship, defeating the Upper Great Southern Football League by 40 points at Medibank Stadium.

The SWFL dominated the first half, kicking 11 goals to just three before surviving a last quarter scare to win 13.6 (84) to 7.2 (44).

From the first bounce the SWFL had all the momentum, with overlap running and fast hands allowing them give their forwards first use.

Forward Matt Martin (three goals) was in ominous form early, taking five marks inside-50 in the first quarter, but did not return to the field after half-time.

Half-forward Denholm King, wingman David Roche and midfielder Corey Griggs were part of the youth which sparked the SWFL early.

Graham Jetta was outstanding all game, clearing the ball from contests and running almost unmanned for the majority of the match.

Josh Bolton (three goals) was trying hard for UGSFL, leading up the ground well and providing a powerful forward target.

Matt Giumelli and Jarrod Martin also tried hard through the contest, but the first half belonged to the SWFL who led by 50 points at the main break.

The SWFL side missed an opportunity to put the game beyond doubt in the third quarter, with the champions only able to kick one goal despite dominating the play.

UGSFL pushed all their numbers into the backline, but the SWFL made sure they could not get it past half-way, with pressure from forward Brandon Jetta, Jace Cormack and Josh Battaglia outstanding.

Simon Parry and Michael Roney were excellent in defence, while Michael Russell kept the ever dangerous Mark Deaves to three goals.

The SWFL side stopped in the last quarter and Upper Great Southern attacked it, kicking four goals to one to reduce the margin.

The SWFL lost Hamish Shepheard before the match with an ankle injury and the coaching staff called up emergency Brendan Page who was good all day in the ruck.

SWFL 6.2 11.3 12.3 13.6 84

UGSFL 1.1 3.1 3.1 7.2 44

Goals: SWFL- M. Martin, D. King 3, D. Roche, G. Jetta, J. Cormack 2, C. Griggs. UGSFL- M. Deaves, J. Bolton 3, J. Ramsay.

Best: SWFL- G. Jetta, D. King, B. Piggott, D. Roche, M. Russell, S. Parry. UGSFL- J. Price, K. Shepheard, J. Bolton, D. Hayward, M. Deaves.