After consecutive fourth-place finishes, the squad arrived with one clear mission, to finally bring home a medal. By the final whistle, they had done exactly that.
The challenge came early, with the Swans opening their campaign against two powerhouse sides: reigning premiers New South Wales and eventual gold medallists Victoria.
Round One NSW 16 | WA 12
The Swans made an immediate statement, bursting out of the blocks in the first quarter and forcing NSW to fight all the way to the final siren.
Round Two VIC 30 | WA 16
Victoria proved too strong in Round Two, with the home side showing the form that would later carry them to the gold medal.
Round Three WA 24 | SA 14
Day two began in spectacular fashion, with the Swans storming to a five-goal lead in the opening quarter and never looking back. They won every term, including a dominant second quarter that pushed their advantage out to six goals.
Round Four WA 38 | ACT 3
The Western Swans finished day two with their biggest win of the tournament, defeating ACT by 35 goals. Just as memorable was the way they played the game, cheering on their opposition after each goal and showcasing the true spirit of the Marie Little Shield.
Finals Round One VIC 31 | WA 14
Victoria again showed their class in the first finals round, but the Swans’ strong tournament performance secured them another shot at bronze.
Bronze Medal Match WA 32 | SA 22
The Western Swans saved one of their finest performances for when it mattered most, claiming a historic 10-goal win over South Australia to secure bronze. The shooting end outdid themselves during the tournament, generating the best shooting percentage the State has ever had.
A highlight for the Swans was being recognised for their conduct by the opposition, being gifted “Rainbow” by the ACT. Rainbow represents the team that embodies the spirit of the competition and is passed on from one team to another each year.
