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The is a great match up to start the season, always enjoy the games against the Swannies.

My expectations for both teams is that Swans could challenge for a top 4 position if their 21' form continues to build. For us every win will be a great but from what I saw in the pre season (and yes I know others do not place importance on them but ....... ) we could struggle unless the club is brave abt its selection.

One thing that was noticeable was that we rarely if ever went backwards as a first option and that is a BIG change from the past three years.

Backline comes from the usual suspects - Msando, North, Fullgrabe, Willcocks, Cooley and Eaton with support from Hayden, Rowe (when fit) and Watts.

Mids - Brayshaw, Ramsay, Schumaker, Boules, Greaves, Ameduri, Scott, Jones, Hammersley and Dittmar with back from Wright, Hille, Sparks and Regan.

Forwards - Graham, Kuek, Medhat, Edwards-Baldwin, with mids rotating through pockets and half forward roles, support coming from McGuire,  Annandale, Simpson, Robertson and Allsop.

Others to be considered when they have shown more Hildbrandt, Brooks, Peake.

Picking a team from that group should give us a reasonable chance but that depends on a few key factors that always make or break teams on ant day.

Firstly Grump, I am pleased you have decided to return. I always enjoy reading your analysis of WAFL games.
Ideal start to the season as far as I am concerned, East Perth v Swans at Leederville. These games are always competitive and enjoyable to watch regardless of the result.
The beauty of round 1 is that the slate is clean so both teams will be going full on to try and start the season on a winning note. Who knows what will happen but it will be just great to sit in the sunshine and watch a game of WAFL footy again after such a long off season.

Very winnable match to start the season. Be interested in our scores, because on paper we shouldn’t be kicking massive totals. 

i have no great expectations for this game.Due to various reasons including covid we have played scratch matches in squads of 35 with several players missing and have been soundly beaten..will be interested to see what our final line up is.We haven't won a first round game for several years. so we are due a victory.

I know it is not a fashionable thing to do but I would like to see Kieron Allsop and Campbell Abbott  given their opportunity in the ones. Kieron is a reasonable forward who can apply pressure around the stoppages and Campbell is a hard running backman who has a good kick on him. There are times in sport and life when endeavour and loyalty should be rewarded.

I would of liked to see Will Young get a league game to reward his loyalty Grump.  Having said that I think you have to at least look like your trying round 1. 

19, I would not put them in as a matter of course but depending on the season we may be able to rotate players through the team to give others a rest or to gain some for form in the two's. It is about being willing to make changes when it is required and not sticking with players who are not producing, something we have done regularly in the past.

Where's Rai'Arn Cox? I thought I saw him playing a reserves practice game a few weeks ago. Is he still on the EP list for 2022?

Daz, I must admit I have not seen him at any of the scratch matches, he doesn't appear on the list so who knows where he is!

I am never surprised by his actions, the club and a lot of folk have invested a lot of time and energy in him for sadly not much return.

Gee whiz, what a waste. The kids has oodles of talent. What's the bet he turns up at Mt Lawley this weekend?

I saw him playing for South Perth in the Suburban Turf comp a few months ago and he said he was training at EP and expecting to play. 

You've got another good emerging one in Adam Boules. I might get in his ear about coming across to the Demons if you blokes don't give him a go at league level this season.