TOPIC:

First game of the year at Bassendean. The home ground was a bit of a fortress for Swans last year with the Sharks the only team to beat us there for the entire season. We certainly need a big improvement in performance from last week to even challenge  East Fremantle, who despite their narrow loss last week are still my tip for the flag. Swans need more of what they produced in the 3rd quarter last week and less of the listless passive effort they displayed in the first half. 

Apart from the consistency over 4 quarters the main thing that came out of last week is that the midfielders need to lower their eyes and deliver the ball better to our forward line to give guys like Edwards, Noble and Jones more of a chance to take marks inside the forward 50.  Against East Perth kicks were often misdirected or not to the advantage of the forwards which made it easy for the opposition defence to repel attacks.

I know early days, but this is a big game for both sides....never a good look being 0-2, so both sides will be keen for the win. I think SD on paper at least have a 22 more than capable of going deep in 2023. Good talls, good backs, good forwards and definitely good mids. Should be a cracking contest.

Im hoping Swans get up because if they lose this they won't drop 2 in a row the following week at Basso to us  !

Hard to pick but if Swans can play like they did in the second half against us they will win more than they lose. It was impressive and yes, I know Mike that we from the outside can be positive abt your chances but there is a lot to like. The kicking needs to be closer to 75% and I still think that you are better when players can play their game and not tag. 

Freeze, not counting you out but Swans are little closer to my heart!

Any Swans fan heading along on Saturday will be hopeful more than confident. Last week we played a far inferior side than what we will come up against this week and were outplayed and out coached for all but 25min. 

Selection should and will set the tone. Germs must come in to lead the ruck which will allow G-M to play fwd and pinch hit, or, play key back. Jones and Ireland need to swap ends as Ireland was a liability at times, this would allow Ireland to also play ruck if G-M went back and keep Noble fwd. 

Bayok shouldn’t play another league game all year. Ugle, Hewitt and Chipper to be given a good run at it. Reidy also a better option than Bayok. 

Unsure if any of the missing players from last week are available ie Anderson, Cipro, McGlaughlin,, Bright and be interesting to hear about Notte’s rehab.

Hoping we can snatch one here or we will be staring down the barrel of a 0-3 start with WP to follow and in an 18 game season that’s nearly all she wrote. 

Collins was another who missed the EP game last week who should be available this week and he is a tall defender.
Who then goes out for him as we may be too top heavy?
I would persevere with Glass-McCasker in the ruck with support from Ireland.

Looks like Germs is playing ressies again, although Collins is back as a key defender, other ins are Seb Bright ( great to see him back) Hewitt and Reidy. Danger has got his wish with Bayok left out (he hasn't been named in the reserves either so he may be injured). Still no sign of Anderson, Cipro or McLaughlan.
On balance it looks a better squad than last week.

To be honest he’s not even good enough to be playing ressies and that team is no worse off for not having him. How he got a look in is bewildering. 

I've always thought that Reidy has the potential to be a really good player. He is quick with good hand and foot skills. Sometimes I think he lacks a bit of confidence in himself and that may have been holding him back somewhat. Hopefully he makes the most of this latest opportunity

I thought W. Wilson might have been considered after last week's second's performance but not to be. Good to see Spackman in the seconds, but Morris still a time away from pulling on a guernsey.