Round 2 Preview v East Perth

SWAN Districts hits the road for the first time in the 2019 WAFL season on Saturday to take on East Perth with the black-and-whites hunting for their first after going so close in Round 1.

Swans had their chance to snatch the Round 1 win from South Fremantle at Steel Blue Oval with new recruit Josh Simpson having a shot on goal after the final siren. 

It wasn’t to be but there was a lot to like from the performance by Swans to open the new season against the team that has reached the past three preliminary finals.

On the back of that, the Black Ducks now hit the road in Round 2 to take on East Perth at Leederville Oval on Saturday. The reserves match begins at 11.30am and the league at 2.15pm.

Meanwhile, the colts contest between Swan Districts and East Perth will take place at Steel Blue Oval on Saturday with bouncedown set for 1pm.

IN THEIR WORDS – BRANDON ERCEG ROUND 2
SO CLOSE FOR SWANS IN ROUND 1 V BULLDOGS

Saturday will mark the first game for Swan Districts against East Perth without its alignment with the West Coast Eagles became official in 2014.

While the Royal were linked to the Eagles still back in 2013, the alignment didn’t become an official partnership until 2014 meaning the last proper game for Swans against East Perth was the 2013 first semi-final.

East Perth won that game by 28 points at Steel Blue Oval on the way to making the Grand Final that year. 

During East Perth's alignment, Swans played the Royals on 12 occasions with the Black Ducks managing to win four of those.

Swans did manage a win over the aligned East Perth last year in Round 8 at Leederville Oval while their last win over the non-aligned Royals was way back in Round 14, 2012 at Steel Blue Oval.

Swan Districts' last win at Leederville Oval against a standalone East Perth team took place in Round 8, 2011.

Swans might have lost their season-opener last Saturday to South Fremantle by four points at Steel Blue Oval, but there was a lot to like about the showing from the Black Ducks.

The back-line was tremendous as usual led by Tony Notte and Alex Howard but boosted by the presence and performance of Jesse Glass-McCasker and Warrick Wilson in particular.

Steven Payne played what was likely his best game for Swans on the wing while Jesse Turner, Josh Cipro and Matt Riggio worked hard through the middle.

Now Swans will look to put together another strong showing at Leederville Oval on Saturday against an East Perth team that struggled in Round 1, losing to Subiaco by 79 points.

Swan Districts will be boosted by the return of co-captain David Ellard who got through a run in the reserves last Saturday following an injury-interrupted pre-season.

Brad Fullgrabe is the player to make way after he struggled for much of an impact as a key forward last Saturday against South Fremantle.

East Perth has made just the one changed from its team that lost to Subiaco last Saturday. Stan Wright comes into the side at the expense of Tarir Bayok.
 

ROUND 2
SWAN DISTRICTS v EAST PERTH – LEEDERVILLE OVAL, SATURDAY 2.15PM

LEAGUE LIVE STATS
RESERVES LIVE STATS
COLTS LIVE STATS