TOPIC:

A huge test this week coming up against the team that finished on top of the ladder in last year's WAFL Covid Cup.
It looks to me that the same Top 4 from the previous half a dozen years or so SF, CL, SU & WP are once again the Top 4 in 2021 with the rest of us in reality fighting for that 5th spot on the ladder come the end of the day.
So far in our only big test against one of these "top dogs" we come up a bit short also at home in Rd1 to Claremont.
Higgins, Maskos & Main should all be back for SF after not playing against Peelmantle last week whilst we will still be missing the injured Jetts & Costigan plus the suspended Turner.

It will be a litmus test to show how much we have improved this year,  What will be interesting to see is whether Pickering has really had a conversion to more attacking footy or whether he reverts to 18 defenders in the back half for 90% of the game.  Hopefully, that won't happen.

The forecast is for 31 degrees for Saturday.  The game is scheduled to start at 2.30 pm so the last quarter should be played in the relative cool albeit in the dusk.  Also note the ressies are playing at 9.50 pm on Saturday, the colts on Sunday at 1.00 pm and the women are playing at 12.20 pm on Saturday.

I think Swan Districts have improved this season already - this promises to be quite a good game at Bassendean Oval

Swans certainly have improved, I think it may be a bit of a stretch to suggest that we would be close to the level of a South Fremantle, Subiaco or Claremont as yet.  In the first game V Claremont, we only lost by 4 goals but I think that flattered us a little bit because of our 94% accuracy. It felt more like an 8 goal loss.
My tip is that the game on Saturday will be close and competitive for 3 quarters with Souths being too strong in the final quarter. Mind you, if Swans play at their best and the Doggies are a little bit off, there could be the chance of an upset.
 

Really looking forward to this match. Being live streamed on the FRS too and will be great to watch.  The weather around the grounds for all the matches is forecasted to be fine.

Shut down Shaw and Ninyette and SD should win this....SD mids look better....Gault more then good enough to break even...even beat Higgins....as you say mikeh, if SD are on and SF slightly off, can see SD going really deep and winning the 4 points.

But more to south than Shaw and Ninyette if you watch them play.
Strength and experience on every line, well drilled.
The improvement in Zach Strom and his brother has been huge for South, big blokes who just mark everything.
Then there is Parker, in the practice game he is unstoppable when he is switched on.
No Turner and Jetta for Swans either.

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But more to south than Shaw and Ninyette if you watch them play.
Strength and experience on every line, well drilled.
The improvement in Zach Strom and his brother has been huge for South, big blokes who just mark everything.
Then there is Parker, in the practice game he is unstoppable when he is switched on.
No Turner and Jetta for Swans either.

Spot on MO.
It could be argued SF have the best defence in the WAFL (by some way), equal to the best midfield/ruck in the WAFL (with CL, SU & WP)  & probably the most potent forward line in the WAFL!
I am under no illusions we would have to play out of our skins just to be competitive here.

geez what a bloody shame boys - looks like we'll be waiting a few weeks all because of one bloody Vicco

Perhaps the WAFC will award 2 points for all teams for this round.