SWAN Districts took the challenge right up to WAFL league-leading South Fremantle in their latest clash and despite the 13-point loss, there was plenty to be encouraged about.

Swans were at home on Saturday afternoon fresh off a victory against West Perth at Joondalup last week as they attempted to take it up to a South Fremantle team on a seven-game winning streak.

South Fremantle did end up recording the 9.11 (65) to 7.10 (52) victory but Swan Districts fought hard all the way.

Jackson McLachlan kicked three goals on the day for Swans to go with 19 possessions, six marks and four inside-50 entries.

Swan Districts captain Jesse Turner produced another strong performance in the midfield racking up 34 possessions with Jye Chalcraft finishing with 33 disposals, Aidan Clarke 29, Josh Cipro 27, Max Chipper 19, Bryce Watson 18, Lewis Tester 17 and Nathan Blakely 17 to go with 21 hit outs and seven tackles.

It took more than 11 minutes for the game’s first goal to be kicked and that went the way of South Fremantle thanks to Isiah Winder.

Just three minutes later and the Bulldogs added another courtesy of Lewis Rayson.

Leigh Kohlmann couldn’t quite convert his two opportunities in the opening term for Swans but Jehb O’Donohue kicked a goal for the home team just before quarter-time to limit the South Fremantle lead to four points.

Swans then drew level with the first goal of the second quarter thanks to Jackson McLachlan before the home side hit the front with Tom Smith also kicking truly.

South Fremantle responded through Haiden Schloithe to draw scores back level before he kicked a second just four minutes later.

The Bulldogs kept that momentum going with goals also to Matthew Parker, Brandon Donaldson and Zac Strom heading into half-time with the 28-point lead.

Swans again started the second half strongly with a goal to McLachlan and it took almost 10 minutes for another to be kicked, but that also went the way of the black-and-whites courtesy of Otis Harvey and it was back to a 14-point ball game.

South Fremantle steadied with a late goal to Parker to take a 22-point lead into three quarter-time but Swans wouldn’t go away and also kicked the first of the final term through Bryce Watson.

But South Fremantle sealed the deal with a goal to Kyle Russell in his first league appearance of the season before Swans kicked the last goal of the game when McLachlan booted a third.