SWAN Districts colts started their grand final in perfect fashion and even though Claremont ultimately proved too strong it was a tremendous effort to be there with a lot to like about the young group moving forward.

After finishing the home and away season in fourth position, Swan Districts reached the grand final after coming from behind at three quarter-time in all three finals to end up beating Perth, West Perth and Subiaco.

That saw Swans take on Claremont in last Sunday’s grand final at Optus Stadium in the first decider the black-and-whites colts have made since 2021.

But in the end it was the Tigers who prevailed to win 11.16 (82) to 7.5 (47) to make it back-to-back premierships with co-captain Hamish Davis winning the Mel Whinnen medal.

Once again the move forward of usual defender Tom Cathcart paid dividends just as it did late in the first semi-final against West Perth with him kicking two second quarter goals.

He would be Swans’ only multiple goal scorer for the game too with singles coming from Otis Harvey, Chayse Martinson, Luke Cotellessa, Colby McDonald and Tom Oliver.

Blake Kelly finished with 20 possessions, six inside-50 entries and four tackles in the grand final for Swan Districts while Cotellessa ended up with 20 disposals, five tackles and four marks.

Harvey also had 19 disposals and six tackles, Lucas Andrews 19 possessions and six tackles, Martinson 14 touches and five tackles, McDonald 13 disposals and 10 hit outs, and Evan Smith 10 possessions and 23 hit outs.

On the back of the momentum of the three finals victories just to reach the grand final, Swan Districts made the perfect start with the first goal to Colby McDonald inside the opening 45 seconds.

Claremont scored three of the other four goals in the opening term, but another goal for Swans by Oliver kept the black-and-whites within nine points by quarter-time.

Swans once again got the better of the start to the second quarter with usual defender Cathcart once again thrown forward and kicking a goal at the three-minute mark to bring the margin back to three points.

Cathcart also kicked a second goal almost 10 minutes later to keep Swan Districts within four points once more, which meant Claremont’s lead was only six points by half-time.

Claremont were able to kick the first three goals of the second half to open up a 27-point lead, but Swan Districts managed the last goal of the third quarter through Martinson to cut the deficit to 23 points at three quarter-time.

Swans then made it consecutive goals when Harvey kicked truly a minute into the last term to make it a 17-point game, but Claremont had the answers with the next three goals.

Cotellessa added another goal for the black-and-whites but it was the Tigers’ day as they went on to score the 35-point win to make it back-to-back premierships.