WAFL 2026: East Perth ahead Mitchell Schofield conjures up Royals to win over Swan Districts | UNW

East Perth have survived a first-half ambush from Swan Districts as a stunning return from Mitchell Schofield led them to victory at Sullivan Logistics Stadium

After conceding the first four goals of the game, Schofield’s four goals saw the Royals overrun the visitors late to take a 13.12 (90) to a 10.10 (70) victory on Saturday.

After missing their first round loss to Subiaco, the star forward had to wait to make his mark after the Swans burst out of the gate.

But he didn’t waste his chance when it came, sparking the Royals to life with a goal on the run in the second term to finish with four majors, 17 touches and four inside 50s.

The 2025 grand finalists were jumped for the second week in a row as Swans blitzed the Royals from centre stoppage, thanks to a strong debut from Lucas Impey and strong clearance work from Zane Trew and Josh Cipro.

Despite standing opposite the imposing Scott Jones, Impey (33 hit-outs) held his own to allow Swan Districts first crack as Zach Provest (four goals) scored the visitors first inside the opening minute.

Jackson McLachlan provided an early highlight with a goal of the year contender as he was hemmed in near the behind post, but kept the ball alive and sidestepped his way around three defenders to weave a path to goal.

With East Perth star Hamish Brayshaw watching on from the box as he recovers from a calf injury, the Royals looked powerless at times to stop Swans’ surging midfield.

It wasn’t until after the 20-minute mark that the Royals finally hit back as Sebit Kuek converted after a strong mark.

The break didn’t stem Swan Districts momentum as Provest made it three goals before half-time as they continued to own the territory.

However, as the quarter went on, the Royals managed to slow the game down and get their kicking game going.

Schofield got the Royals fans rocking while Graham Thomas was relieved to convert his fifth look at goal after three behinds and no score.

But a costly 50m penalty for not standing the mark gave a debut goal for Leo Steed after a strong mark as Swans continued to find enough answers for the Royals.

The pressure ratcheted up again in the third quarter, and this time the Swans struggled as the dare they played with in the first half deserted them as they were often forced to long kicks down the line out of defence.

Defender Stanley Wright scored a rare goal, while Craven showed some fancy footwork to open up a checkside finish before Kuek put the Royals in front for the first time.

But just as it looked as the Royals were going to run away with it Scott Jones dumped Jehb O’Donohue off the ball from a kick in to spark the Swans as Provest clunked another mark to convert his fourth on the siren.

However, Swans ran out of legs as they went goalless in the final term as East Perth’s class finally powered them home.

SCOREBOARD

EAST PERTH 1.4, 4.6, 8.10, 13.12 (90)

SWAN DISTRICTS 5.2, 7.5, 10.7, 10.10 (70)

Goals – EAST PERTH: M Schofield 4 D Craven 3 S Kuek 2 G Thomas S Wright S Jones B Middleton. SWAN DISTRICTS: Z Provest 4 W Reidy 2 J McLachlan L Steed J Petric J O’Donohue.

Best – EAST PERTH: M Schofield T Lindberg D Craven S Kuek T North. SWAN DISTRICTS: Z Trew L Kelly Z Provest J Turner C Hinchliffe.

Umpires: R Harrison J Gibb A Crowhurst B Evans. Crowd: Around 1100 at Sullivan Logistics Stadium