Round 9 Preview v Perth

SWAN Districts returned to action impressively last Saturday and are now back to Steel Blue Oval this Saturday to host Perth looking to keep the momentum going.

Swans played their first game in three weeks last Saturday and delivered an impressive performance to beat East Perth by 13 points at Leederville Oval.

That improved the black-and-whites to fourth position on the WAFL ladder with a 4-3 record heading into this Saturday's contest against Perth at Steel Blue Oval.

It will be the first game for Swans at Bassendean since Round 5 when they hammered East Fremantle by 90 points in a dominant display.

The game will also be broadcast live on 7mate with bouncedown set for 2.50pm. That means the reserves match begins at 12.05pm and the colts at 9.35am.

Depending on other results over the WA Day long weekend, Swan Districts has the potential of finishing the round in second position on the ladder with a big win over Perth and if South Fremantle loses to East Fremantle, and West Perth goes down to East Perth.

Swan Districts has enjoyed its recent meetings against Perth as well having won four straight including in Round 1 this year. Swans had to fight hard but ended up overrunning the Demons to claim the 45-point win at Lathlain Park.

This current four-game winning run for Swans comes after Perth had won three in-a-row over Swan Districts back in the two-win wooden spoon year of 2016.

But prior to that, Swans had also won eight straight matches against the Demons so they have enjoyed winning 12 of the past 15 heading into Saturday's contest at Steel Blue Oval.

Swan Districts is coming off the strong win against East Perth and while Perth did lose last Saturday to Subiaco by 40 points, it was an impressive showing by the Demons who were only two points down early in the last quarter against the unbeaten league-leaders.

Swans coach Adam Pickering knows that his team can't afford to take anything for granted despite their recent success against Perth and coming off the strong performance to beat East Perth.

"It's important not to get ahead ourselves by thinking about ladder positions or amount of wins, but stick to the process of what we've been doing each session," Pickering said.

"That's training with intensity, improving our craft and going into games doing the same thing and just worrying about each contest and how you can help the team.

"By doing that, the results should take care of themselves and you can't take anyone lightly because the competition is so tight.

"Perth just pushed Subiaco for three quarters so if you are off your game 10 per cent in this comp this year you'll get rolled. So our big focus is on being consistent week after week."

From the Swan Districts team that beat the Royals last Saturday at Leederville Oval, Brad Fullgrabe, Jack O'Sullivan and Levi Ridley have been added to the squad.

Fullgrabe worked hard in the reserves last week for Swan Districts with 13 possessions, six marks and 11 hit outs to put his name up in the mix for a potential league debut.

O'Sullivan produced 14 possessions and three inside-50 entries in the reserves last week as he also vies for a debut appearance.

Ridley has already played some encouraging league form this season and responded well to being back in the reserves last Saturday delivering 28 possessions, six inside 50s, five marks and three tackles against East Perth.

There are mixed news at the selection table for Perth with Michael Sinclair, Devin McFarlane, Mitch Henderson, Marshall Jones, Michael Bennell and Daniel Horan added to the squad.

Meanwhile, Cody Leggett, Blake Johnson and Kurtis Chester go out for the Demons.

Check out the massive Swans Play Zone which includes face painters, bouncy castles, handball target competitions and much more.

Do you want to win $100 cash? Take part in the ‘Bin it to Win it’ kicking competition at half-time on the oval. The first person to boot a footy in the bin is the winner.

There will also be a slushy machine, and a free sausage roll and drink for all the kids at the match.

WAFL SEASON 2018 – ROUND 9

Swan Districts v Perth – Steel Blue Oval

League – 2.50pm

Reserves – 12.05pm

Colts – 9.35am