Anzac Round Preview v West Perth

SWAN Districts is back home at Steel Blue Oval to commemorate Anzac Round this Saturday in the now annual clash with West Perth as the black-and-whites look to bounce back from the loss to Subiaco.

Swan Districts started the 2018 WAFL season in fine fashion beating Perth by 45 points at Lathlain Park and then reigning premiers Peel Thunder by 14 points at Steel Blue Oval.

The black-and-whites then started strongly in the top-of-the-table clash against the also undefeated Subiaco at Leederville Oval. Swans kicked the first two goals of the game and then the last two goals of the opening quarter to take a lead into quarter-time.

But from that point on, Subiaco kicked 18 of the game's last 19 goals to win by 96 points.

Swan Districts, though, has the chance to rebound immediately this Saturday hosting West Perth at Steel Blue Oval.

Swans and the Falcons have now played to commemorate Anzac Day since 2013 making this the sixth straight clash marking the occasion between the two clubs.

It began in 2013 with Swans winning by 28 points at HBF Arena in front of 2695 people. A year later it was at Steel Blue Oval with 2656 watching on as Swan Districts again won a thriller by seven points on a day where Andrew Krakouer returned to Bassendean in a West Perth jumper.

Then in 2015 it was back to HBF Arena and 3340 people witnessed West Perth win by seven points in yet another tremendous contest.

In 2016 at Steel Blue Oval, it was a tough season for Swans and that included the Anzac Round clash with West Perth winning by 23 points.

And last year at HBF Arena, it was yet another nail-biter between the two burgeoning rivals with West Perth winning on home turf by five points.

West Perth has won the last three Anzac Round meetings against Swan Districts while leading into last year's elimination final, the Falcons had won five straight matches against Swans.

But Swan Districts had a day to savour that afternoon at Steel Blue Oval to celebrate Tony Notte's 200th match and Tallan Ames' last appearance at Bassendean to win by 15 points in front of a crowd of 5637 to end West Perth's season.

Swans now comes into Saturday's game looking to rebound strongly from the loss to Subiaco and co-captain David Ellard is fully aware of the importance of the contest.

"Obviously last time we played them was in the final last year which was a great day for our footy club and no doubt West Perth will be trying to come down and pull us down a peg," Ellard said.

"But it's a really important game and our next three weeks especially are really important for us. These are the games that we need to stand up in and get the four points.

"It's going to be a great day down at the footy club with lots going on so it will be a great occasion and hopefully we can take away the four points."

Get to Steel Blue Oval on Saturday to witness a special ANZAC parade featuring returned servicemen and women which commences at 1.55pm.

A total of 24 Naval Cadets will be part of the parade plus other RSL Branches. The reading of the Ode of Remembrance, National Anthem and the Bugler Call will all take place prior to the league game bounce down at 2.15pm.

The club’s luncheon will feature special guests including 90-year-old returned servicemen George Goldy and 99-year-old John Gilmore, who is the last surviving member of 2/4th Machine Gun Battalion and also The Returned and Services League – WA Branch CEO John McCourt.

The Swans Kids Play Zone will be cranking again and all the normal game-day competitions and activations will be taking place, alongside the ‘Bin it to Win it’ competition.

Saturday also marks the club's 'Past Players Day' where Swans and West Perth former players are invited to come together and enjoy the day!

WAFL SEASON 2018 – ANZAC ROUND

Swan Districts v West Perth – Steel Blue Oval

League – 2.15pm

Reserves – 11.15am

Colts – 8.45am