Round 2 Preview v Peel Thunder

SWAN Districts opened the 2018 WAFL season impressively and now will look to continue that form and momentum against Peel Thunder at Steel Blue Oval on Saturday.

Swans started the new season strongly with a 45-point win against Perth last Saturday at Lathlain Park as they now play their opening home match of 2018 this Saturday.

Coming to Steel Blue Oval will be the premiers of the past two WAFL seasons, Peel Thunder, who also had a solid Round 1 victory against East Fremantle on Good Friday.

All Swan Districts members and supporters are encouraged to get to Steel Blue Oval this Saturday and check out the club's free Swans Play Zone which includes a bucking bull, two-lane bungee run, laser tag, bouncy castle, giant games, drawing table, face painting, handball competitions and more!

Swan Districts female footballers will also be at the play zone signing team posters.

Swans' league players will be handing out 50 free mini footballs prior to bouncedown out on the field as well.

There is a FREE meal deal to be given to each child on entry – they will receive a free hot dog and drink.

And on top of that at half-time every supporter will have the chance to win $100 cash in the ‘Bin it to Win it’ competition held in the centre square.

Purchase your tickets for your chance to win a Peter Rabbit merchandise prize pack, including a Family Pass valued at $165. The winner will be drawn at half-time.

It is set to be a fascinating contest on the field at Steel Blue Oval as well with both Swan Districts and Peel Thunder coming off strong Round 1 performances.

Both teams made finals in 2017 as well with Swans beating West Perth in the elimination final before losing to South Fremantle in the first semi-final. Peel beat South Fremantle in a qualifying final and Subiaco in the second semi-final before going on to beat the Lions in the Grand Final too.

Swans and the Thunder played one another twice in 2017 with Peel winning at home by 21 points in Round 9 while Swan Districts won by 16 points in Round 19 at Steel Blue Oval.

Swan Districts then came out and defeated Perth in Round 1 last week by 45 points with a host of players delivering standout performances.

Rhys Palmer starred with a best on ground display with 31 possessions, 19 clearances and three goals while Todd Banfield kicked three goals, Adam Faulkner two, Matthew Rogers two and Corey Gault two.

The combination of Gault and Nathan Blakely splitting the ruck duties and playing as a key forward worked well while Jesse Turner racked up 23 possessions and Matt Riggio 22.

The back-line combination of Tony Notte, Alex Howard, Laurence Grescos, Kirk Ugle, Tobe Watson, Ben Holman and Brayden Hackett was also impressive.

Peel had a solid win at home too on Good Friday beating East Fremantle by 15 points on the back of kicking five goals to one in the last quarter.

Gerald Ugle kicked three goals for the Thunder while Brayden Lawler, Brady Grey and Sam Switkowski all booted two apiece.

Danyle Pearce also compiled 32 possessions for Peel, Darcy Tucker 28, Ben Hancock 23, Taylin Duman 22, Traye Bennell 21, Blair Bell 20 and Brennan Cox 20 to go with nine marks.

Now both teams look to continue their winning form on Saturday at Steel Blue Oval.

Swans coach Adam Pickering will be in charge of the black-and-whites for his first home game on Saturday and he's looking forward to the challenge against Peel.

"It's a big task and we play the bookends of the ladder from last year over the first two weeks so we'll get a real decent feel of where we're at," Pickering said.

"I'm not over confident going into the weekend but I'm not scared of the opposition. We'll take it to them and if the boys continue to believe in what they are doing and continue on what they did on the weekend, anything's possible."

The game will be broadcast live on HFM (107.3FM) and Footy Radio on the WAFL App from 2pm on Saturday.

WAFL SEASON 2018 – ROUND 2

Swan Districts v Peel Thunder – Steel Blue Oval

League – 2.15pm

Reserves – 11.30am

Colts – 9.00am