WAFL Anzac Round RecapMonday, April 29, 2024 - 9:56 AM - by Chris Pike

EAST Fremantle's WAFL premiership defence was hanging by a thread until a remarkable finish and a goal after the siren from Jackson McDonald delivered them a stunning win over Swan Districts.

That was one of three games across Anzac Round in the WAFL that began back on Thursday with East Perth beating Perth before South Fremantle downed West Perth on Saturday, and then the Sharks came from the clouds to beat Swans to wrap things up on Sunday.

East Perth bounced back from its first loss of the season on Anzac Day to beat an injury-hit Perth 13.13 (91) to 10.10 (70) at Lathlain's Mineral Resources Park.

The win returns the Royals to top spot on the WAFL ladder after Round 5 with Mitch Schofield kicking five goals.

The lone game on Saturday then saw South Fremantle make it three wins in-a-row to beat West Perth for the first time since the opening round of the 2022 season with the 10.11 (71) to 7.11 (53) victory at Joondalup's Pentanet Stadium.

That all led into Sunday's match up at Steel Blue Oval with Swan Districts on track for a second win of the season on the day they were celebrating their 90th anniversary.

Swans were leading by 22 points early in the last quarter after goals to Jesse Glass McCasker and Jiah Reidy.

The margin was still 16 points at the 22-minute mark of the final term before the Sharks kicked goals from Jarrad Jansen and Brynn Teakle, but were still behind as the siren sounded.

However, the ball was in the hands of Jackson McDonald and the premiership midfielder took the set shot with ice in his veins after the siren to be the hero and deliver the 11.10 (76) to 11.8 (74) win for East Fremantle in the most remarkable circumstances.

WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 5

PERTH 10.10 (70) lost to EAST PERTH 13.13 (91)

WEST PERTH 7.11 (53) lost to SOUTH FREMANTLE 10.11 (71)

SWAN DISTRICTS 11.8 (74) lost to EAST FREMANTLE 11.10 (76)