WAFL 2025: Swan Districts coach Andrew Pruyn reveals they battled illness through team in West Perth win

Swan Districts coach Andrew Pruyn has praised the resilience of his side after illness swept through their club and threatened to derail them ahead of their 11-point win over West Perth on Saturday. Pruyn revealed several players including youngster Evan Smith pulled out throughout the week and the likes of Bryce Watson and Brandon Erceg battled through on their way to a fourth win over the season, beating the Falcons 12.13 (85) to 11.8 (74) at HIF Health Insurance Oval. It has all but ended West Perth’s slim finals hopes despite East Fremantle losing four of their past five games, with the top five seemingly locked away. Swan Districts led West Perth by as much as 28 points late in the second term before the Falcons dominated the third term, kicking four goals to one to threaten to over-run the visitors. Swan Districts were able to hold on in a tense final term with speedster Aidan Clarke kicking the match-sealing goal late in the contest. Pruyn said he was impressed with his side’s able to compete until the final siren despite several important players fighting illness. “We had quite a few boys not able to train and impacted by the flu,” Pruyn said. “We had to manage our way. We had three pull out yesterday across the two grades because of the illness, but the boys that went out there managed to get through relatively unscathed. “I thought we started the game really well, probably didn’t make the most of our opportunities in the first quarter but essentially the way we played and we’re able to get our ball movement going and get Leigh Kohlmann on the end of a few opportunities inside 50.” Swan Districts will now prepare for the toughest task of the season – taking on a rampaging ladder-leaders in South Fremantle who have lost only one match this season. The two sides last met in round three with forward Trey Ruscoe kicking five goals in an 11-point win for the Bulldogs. Pruyn said star midfielder Connor Blakely would be a chance to return from a hamstring injury for the heavyweight clash. “It is probably the biggest challenge going around at the moment,” he said. “The only one (we could get back) is Evan Smith who was sick today, outside of that Connor Blakely will be touch and go whether he’s able to play.”