The Valley travelled to Bassendean with the Colts looking to bounce back, the League hoping to break their duck and the Reserves looking to consolidate.

 The Colts toiled manfully against the top side all game but were ground down eventually, losing 14.10 94 to 8.3 51. Their work rate was solid and if they can repeat it week in week out they will win more than they lose. Best players were Tom Martin, Scott Olsen, Jaydon Resuggan and Josh Harris.

 The Reserves were 3 and 1 and looking to consolidate their position in the top five, unfortunately they were very slow to get going and inaccurate in front of goal.  After half time they dominated the game but had too much ground to make up and lost 10.7 67 to 5.11 41. Best players were Zach Fried, Hayden Cooney, Kyle Davies and Josh Jones.

 The League team was looking for it’s maiden victory after some valiant efforts in defeat. It was a titanic struggle all day with neither team able to break away until Bassendean broke 4 goals clear mid way through the last quarter. The Valley dug deep and kicked the next 3 goals to get back within a kick, they then won the next centre clearance but couldn’t score and Bassendean rebounded to kick the final goal of the game and get up by 9 points 10.19 79 to 10.10 70. Best players were Tony Stephens, Reece Mabbs, Nic Chilcott and John McGill.

 The Thirds hosted Bassendean and were very disappointing, going down 19.7 121 to 5.9 39. Best players were Brad Dost, George Armstrong and Shane Sinclair. After breaking through for their first win last week it was a reality check for the boys and they will need to bounce back hard.

The Valley hosted Lynwood-Ferndale in what was expected to be a stern challenge in all three grades. We were not disappointed with three good games, unfortunately with mixed results.

The Colts flew out of the blocks and looked the goods early but were once again pulled back by a bigger, stronger team. A brief last quarter fight back was not enough and they went down by 19 points, 9.8 62 to 6.7 43. Best players were Tom Copley, Alex Snadden, Shane Shepherd and Tom Martin.

The Reserves played a good brand of footy and were in control all day. They ran out convincing winners 13.9 87 to 6.8 44. Best players were Dylan Windus, Hayden Cooney, Jake Brearley and Paul Onofaro.

In the League game the visitors kicked the first goal inside a minute and the home crowd must have worried about what was to come. They needn’t have as The Valley fired up and kicked the next 8 goals. Lynwood-Fernadale kicked the last 2 goals of a high scoring opening stanza. There was only a kick in the game at half time and the second half was a tough, hard fought affair with neither team able to break away. The Valley hit the front with ten minutes to go but were not able to hold the visitors out who kicked the last 3 goals to win a very entertaining match 17.13 115 to 15.10 100. Best players were John McGill, Reece Mabbs, Daniel Potts, Jay Svilicich and Dave Park.

The Thirds travelled down to Jandakot for a twilight game and the trip was well worth the effort with the lads breaking through for their first win, 12.14 86 to 7.8 50. Best players were Peirce Coughlan, Phil Lee and Jaydon Walters, all Colts players who made a big effort to double up! Thanks also to a few Reserves players who also doubled up to help out.

A big thanks to Mike Griffiths and Katie Sanders for their efforts organising the Race Night at the Club after the matches Saturday. Those that attended had a great night and a few more numbers would have made it even better. The playing group needs to support the few events we have if we are to keep our fees amongst the lowest in the competition.

When: Thursday 20^th to Tuesday 25^th September (5 Nights) for the AFL Preliminary Final Weekend.

 The deal: Book your own return airfares by 31^st July – if you get in early you can get return trips for approx $300

 Once numbers are confirmed I will book accommodation – twin share for approx $30 per night each, incl breakfast.

 You need 6 months validity on your passport from 25^th September.

 See Dingo ASAP to register your interest.

Swan Valley travelled out to Manning to take on last years grand finalists in the league and colts grades. The colts were not switched and got out muscled by a bigger, stronger team and lost 15.7 97 to 8.7 55. Best players for The Valley were Kieran Roberts, Phil Lee and Shane Shepherd.

 Swan Valley absolutely dominated the reserves game and were very convincing winners 17.12 114 to 1.4 10. Best players were Cris DeLacey, Vinnie Murace, Jason Colja and Shane Forsyth. 

The League team was unable to break into the winners circle despite a much improved team performance and went down 13.15 93 to 10.9 69. Best players were Corry Verco, Jay Svilicich and Matt Johnson.

The E3 team hosted Noranda and were well beaten but credit to the boys for fronting up and having a crack. They travel out to Jandakot for a late game next Saturday and will be hoping to crack their first win.

We host Lynwood-Ferndale this week with the Colts looking to bounce back, the Reserves to consolidate and the League boys to open their account.

 The Valley played host to Kenwick on Saturday and the Colts after a strong first three quarters had to hold on against a late Kenwick charge to win 12.10 82 to 10.13 73. Best players were Phil Lee, Jaydon Walters, Shane Shepherd, Jaydon (JT) Resuggan, Sam Paulin and Jason Greenwell.

 The Reserves got away to a slow start and paid the penalty, never quite being able to bridge the gap and eventually going down 6.9 45 to 10.10 70. Best players were Ben Bennetts, Jason Colja, Josh Jones and Garry Venema.

 The League team started very well and in a tight contest managed to be 5 points up at the half. A fired up Kenwick came out and kicked the first 7 goals of the third quarter to effectively end the contest. The Valley fought the game out but went down 13.10 88 to 21.16 142. Best players were Reece Mabbs, Tony Stephens, Matt Johnson and Grant Speldewinde.

 The League, Reserves and Colts travel to James Miller Reserve in Como this Saturday to take on last years C3 runners up in Manning.

The E3 team had a bye, no doubt the boys appreciated the rest! They host Noranda this week and will be hoping to bounce back from their first round loss.

After a long pre season everyone was looking forward to getting under way in a watershed year for the Swan Valley Football Club. For the first time since the 2003 season  the Club is fielding a colts team and due to the increased numbers also a third senior team! By my reckoning 37 players made their Club debuts in Round 1!!

 The E3 team hosted Coolbinia West Perth and got well beaten 21.15 141 to 2.1 13 by a younger, fitter side. Better players were Murray Speldewinde, Jonathan Ginger and Michael “Chocko” Martin. The E3 boys will improve with match fitness but it’s great to see guys getting an opportunity to play regularly that they may not otherwise get.

 The Colts had to make the long trek to Safety Bay but made it well worth the effort with a comprehensive 21.10 136 to 4.4 28 win. A very good team effort all round but the Edwards twins James and Adam along with Brock Jefferies, Scott Olsen, Jayden Walters and Sam Paulin stood out.

 The Reserves had a massive win also, outclassing Belmont 26.7 163 to 1.6 12. Best players were Mick Micallef, Ben Bennetts, The DeLacy brothers, Josh Harris, Matt Parsons and Adrian Challis.

 The League team suffered a very disappointing loss going down 12.6 78 to 9.18 72 after being almost 5 goals up at half time. Inaccurate kicking came back to haunt them and hopefully they won’t live to regret one that got away. Better players were Colts captain Ollie McDonald with 5 goals, Matt Johnson, another Colt in Reece Mabbs and Corry Verco.

 The League, Reserves and Colts host old Sunday League rivals in Kenwick this Saturday in what should be three very good games. The thirds have a bye this week.

Swan Valley have accepted an offer to fill a vacancy in C2 for seaon 2012 caused by a club dropping out of C1. The two clubs relegated from C2 last season in Carlisle and Brentwood-Booragoon declined the invitation along with East Fremantle the club that finished third in C3 last year.

The committee decided this was too good an opportunity to resist, our aim is to progress through the grades and we have worked hard to put ourselves in this position.

It is now a matter of knuckling down and working hard to be competitive in C2 – good luck to all!