TOPIC:

Mentioning this as a big game would be the stock standard line but in the context of Swans season this game is undoubtedly the biggest so far and in beating a bonafide contender would announce themselves as a genuine top 5 team also. Will there be an emotional let down following the teams most complete performance of the season last week or will it be the springboard to more confidence and lofty aspirations?! The last 3 times these 2 teams have met there has been clear dominance from the EP midfield which has set up their wins. This has been off the back of a dominant display by Jones and I fear that if we go in with the same tactics, well, the result is likely to be the same. Whatever ruck set up we go with it will need to be a team job on Jones and every time a Swans player runs past him they should bang, bump, crash and shove him. If it is wet then this battle has even more significance as the territory game will be crucial and losing clearance will mean losing the game. 

They do have a couple of big outs in Wilcox and Robertson so that is obviously in Swans favour.Jebb should be back in if he’s over his illness and you’d think he goes straight to Brayshaw or Crowden. Collins was huge last week so he should hold, especially with some of the big bodies of the EP fwds and Stephens was also impressive in his return. Kelly might make way or it could be Chipper who just doesn’t hurt the opposition enough with possession nor does he apply enough tackle pressure imo. Kohlman??? This will sound silly to some but are we a better functioning and adaptable team without him. Unless he can get higher up the ground to impact I say yes as these days you can’t have a player that is limited to one position and one style of play. Not to harp on but I think our lack of a genuine A grade ruck does not help him as he’s often setting up with the oppo pressing rather than the game played in our front half more often and him coming out of the square. Admittedly he’s kicked several bags of 3-4 but you have to know how that is impacting the team as a whole and we’ve looked a lot better since he went off in that WP game. If he comes in, along with Jebb, who does he replace? And then we have Howard. He’s due back also and with the form of our back 6, in particular Watson and Hilton, and then Collins and Stephens having big games I think he may have to have a run or 2 in the ressies and bide his time.  Interesting times!!! A win here keeps Swans in contention for top 2 or 3 while a loss brings us right back to the chasing pack. 

No sign of Kohlmann or Howard in league or ressies. Think they will go in with much the same team as last week with Jehb coming in on the bench and perhaps tagging one of the East Perth mids. Jones has killed us the last 3 times we have played so it will be interesting to see what the coaching staff come up with this week to at least try and reduce his impact.
This is a great opportunity for Swans to test themselves against a premiership contender.

Going to be a good match this one. If Swans lose this game, they'll have Claremont on their hammer. Is quiet possible Claremont winning their match and the 2 teams could be sitting on 20 premiership points after match day. Swans on a bit of a roll after winning 4 of their last 5 matches. The weather is going to be a big factor because between 7 to 20 mm of rain and s/w winds expected.

Danger wrote:

Mentioning this as a big game would be the stock standard line but in the context of Swans season this game is undoubtedly the biggest so far and in beating a bonafide contender would announce themselves as a genuine top 5 team also. Will there be an emotional let down following the teams most complete performance of the season last week or will it be the springboard to more confidence and lofty aspirations?! The last 3 times these 2 teams have met there has been clear dominance from the EP midfield which has set up their wins. This has been off the back of a dominant display by Jones and I fear that if we go in with the same tactics, well, the result is likely to be the same. Whatever ruck set up we go with it will need to be a team job on Jones and every time a Swans player runs past him they should bang, bump, crash and shove him. If it is wet then this battle has even more significance as the territory game will be crucial and losing clearance will mean losing the game. 

They do have a couple of big outs in Wilcox and Robertson so that is obviously in Swans favour.Jebb should be back in if he’s over his illness and you’d think he goes straight to Brayshaw or Crowden. Collins was huge last week so he should hold, especially with some of the big bodies of the EP fwds and Stephens was also impressive in his return. Kelly might make way or it could be Chipper who just doesn’t hurt the opposition enough with possession nor does he apply enough tackle pressure imo. Kohlman??? This will sound silly to some but are we a better functioning and adaptable team without him. Unless he can get higher up the ground to impact I say yes as these days you can’t have a player that is limited to one position and one style of play. Not to harp on but I think our lack of a genuine A grade ruck does not help him as he’s often setting up with the oppo pressing rather than the game played in our front half more often and him coming out of the square. Admittedly he’s kicked several bags of 3-4 but you have to know how that is impacting the team as a whole and we’ve looked a lot better since he went off in that WP game. If he comes in, along with Jebb, who does he replace? And then we have Howard. He’s due back also and with the form of our back 6, in particular Watson and Hilton, and then Collins and Stephens having big games I think he may have to have a run or 2 in the ressies and bide his time.  Interesting times!!! A win here keeps Swans in contention for top 2 or 3 while a loss brings us right back to the chasing pack. 

Not silly to me Danger, and it will be interesting to see when fit if the selection committee put him back in immediately. However, we have not lost a game since he left the field at half-time of the West Perth match but he is a good footballer.

We will struggle in the ruck tomorrow no matter who rucks - Jones just out-monsters our tall. Hopefully our small men can negate Jones' influence.

You would be unlucky if dropped tomorrow and your surname was Hilton, Stephens or Collins, but O'Donoghue cannot miss a place. I agree that Chipper will most likely go to the seconds, but another quality young defender banging on the door is Taylor, who I would play before Howard when fit and if there was a choice between the two. 
 

Just checked the final named team and only one change, O'Donohue in for Benjamin Hewitt. Bit unlucky for Hewitt as I thought he contributed well last week, but Jebh has got to be in the team and I guess the coaching staff didnt want to break up the defensive unit that worked so well together last week. Some other "ins" for the ressies are Cian Ehlers and Jak Watson who could could also put pressure on to come into the league team at some stage.
Can't wait for this game. Encounters with East Perth always seem to have a bit more spice and energy for players and supporters.

East Perth are playing average and that’s being kind.  Bruise free type of stuff. If Swans can bring pressure and use the ball long no handball it should be a much needed win for them. 

Larry, I agree with you that the Royals are playing "average" but disagree completely with your "bruise-free" assessment.
I think the lads' great commitment got us across the line against EF and WP but that wasn't enough 12 days ago against Claremont, who played as though their season was on the line.
Given Swans' new lease of life after their heartbreaking loss to EF, I'm certainly worried about tomorrow's game.
IMHO, the Royals' current weakness is a lack of height up forward, so it will be great having Tom Graham back in the side, even though it's not likely to be a great day for the forwards.  
As mikeh said, SD-EP games always have a bit of spice to them, both on and off the field. 

Not trying to talk Swans chances down but East Perth have had 2 weeks to stew over that below par effort against Claremont and I would expect them to come out breathing fire tomorrow so Swans need to be ready for a ferocious team. Anything less than our very best will not be good enough IMO

Rain will be done by 9am tomorrow however the sou wester will be in from early in the morning and a decent one at that. 

Gee wiz another Basso ,Swans  v East Perth classic.Seen so many of them over the years.
What a shot in the arm for the Wafl.If these two great Wafl Clubs played off in the Grand Final.
Has happened before in one of the biggest upset in Wafl GF history,1961.