TOPIC:

I heard from an informed supporter that Brayshaw will not be available for the game.

I have mixed feelings about Hamish Brayshaw's suggested unavailability, Grump.
On the one hand, as evidenced by his Sandover Medal win last year, Hamish is a quality player whose experience would be invaluable in Saturday's second semi-final against a hard-running Swan Districts team.
On the other hand, if he broke down early, we'd be one short on the bench (as we've often been in games this year, but this is a final). 

Archie Duda Goal Machine wrote:

I have mixed feelings about Hamish Brayshaw's suggested unavailability, Grump.
On the one hand, as evidenced by his Sandover Medal win last year, Hamish is a quality player whose experience would be invaluable in Saturday's second semi-final against a hard-running Swan Districts team.
On the other hand, if he broke down early, we'd be one short on the bench (as we've often been in games this year, but this is a final). 

I have an opinion but will keep to myself for fear of the warrior attacking!

if there's any doubt to Brayshaw's fitness then it should be a pretty easy decision - rest him and go in with a fully fit side. 

You have the double chance and ideally with without him and go straight in giving him 2 weeks to get right 

Hamish Brayshaw did train tonight, with the WAFL website having his anticipated return as Finals Week 3.
Finals Week 3 - from a Royals' perspective, I'm hoping Hamish (and the East Perth team) won't be required for the preliminary final.
However, Swans are a very good side and Saturday's game will likely go right down to the proverbial wire.

East Perth should win this game comfortably ADGM . Swans are without three of their key players and havent really got the depth to cover them. We have been pretty lucky so far this season with injuries and absences but the sudden loss of two crucial midfielders (albeit one self inflicted) Turner and Clarke has taken the air out of the tyres somewhat.

Mike, speaking solely from my usual pessimistic Royals' perspective, I wish I was as confident of an EP victory as you are.
Being a final, with a ticket into the GF for the winner, anything can happen on Saturday (and probably will).
Swans were very impressive in beating Peel at Rushton Park, and I expect that confidence to flow through into Saturday.
Your forward line functioned well (Leigh Kohlmann would have to be the most effective unfashionable footballer in the WAFL) without the injured Tom Edwards, and while Jesse Turner and Aidan Clarke will be key "outs", my fellow Royal comrades and I are sweating on the naming of the team tomorrow night.
EP looked very good on the training track last night and there was an upbeat atmosphere among the faithful but I expect the same applies to Swans.

Would like to think this is the appetizer before the main meal between these two sides. An EP v SD GF would be a cracker.....on and off the park. Another tough ask for SD though....those time triple fold with 3 star players out. 

Arch, the thing that has impressed me with EP this year, is that they just get the job done, no matter who they put on the park. Yep plenty of 3 pt wins, but who cares how much you win by, as long as it's a win. Sorry mikeh gtx and BH....but EP for me.

I was completely oblivious to footy in 1961 but an EP-SD GF some 63 years later would be a much-needed shot in the arm for the WAFL.
You're spot on, Freez, when you allude to unheralded EP players having stepped up when needed, particularly in two tight wins against your beloved Sharks and one at Joondalup a few months ago.
Close victories against South Freo, Perth and Subi were not quite as impressive, particularly the carbon copy games against the Bulldogs and Demons when the Royals inexplicably stopped to a walk from late in the third quarter (though that might not be giving sufficient credit to SF and Perth).
Not that I have any say in it but I'd happily accept a couple more 3-point wins in 2024, notwithstanding a few loyal Royal hearts (including Yours Truly) might be unable to cope with the tension.
However, before that happens, Swans' run-and-stun game style will require considerable negating on Saturday.
 

One would have have to assume we’re in the box seat to progress to the GF,particularly with Swans 3 key outs and the fact we’re playing on our home deck,but as we found last week,finals aren’t as straightforward as that.Swans biggest advantage is probably there pace,but that might be negated by the state of the ground,where despite the next couple of days of days improving weather will see the ground rebound from the recent lake monger like playing conditions that players have been forced to endure,one would have to think the playing surface would still be a little slippery under foot,and you’d probably expect a low scoring game,so despite my nagging doubts about our forward line,hopefully we kick enough to get over the line,and given the Black Ducks support base,you’d be disappointed if the game wasn’t played before a 5000 plus crowd.