WAFL - When we met in 2019 and how to win in 2020.

It’s a new-look season for the 2020 Optus WAFL Premiership Season. This year’s 9-round competition will see all teams play each other just once during the home and away fixtures, with West Coast withdrawn from the season.

Now more than ever is each and every game important, with finals altered to be played among teams who finish the season in the top 4.

With only a week to go before our Swan Districts WAFL league side take to the field, we look back on how we matched up against each club last year, and what we need to do to get the win against them in this shortened season.

Round 1, 2020 - West Perth (Steel Blue Oval)

When we met in 2019

How to beat West Perth in 2020?

Winning the game through the midfield. They have three high class midfielders in Tyler Keitel, Shane Nelson and Aaron Black. If we can shut them down, that will go a long way to us winning – Adam Pickering (Swan Districts WAFL League Coach). 

Round 2, 2020 - Claremont (Revo Fitness Stadium)

When we met in 2019

How to beat Claremont in 2020?

They have a very experienced midfield with Jye Bolton and Kane Mitchell. They also have quite good depth in there also. We’ll rely on our new recruits like Frank Anderson and Sam Fisher, along with those who are developing, to match it with them. We will need to get them on the outside with our leg speed ­– Corey Gault (Swan Districts WAFL Vice-captain).

Round 3, 2020 - Subiaco (Steel Blue Oval)

When we met in 2019

How to beat Subiaco in 2020?

They’re really strong so we have to be at our best for every single second of the game. They don’t do too much wrong so if we are stronger at the ball and keep at them for the whole game, we’ll be really competitive ­– Matt Riggio (Swan Districts WAFL Co-captain).

Round 5, 2020 - South Fremantle (Fremantle Community Bank Oval)

When we met in 2019

How to beat South Freo in 2020?

They are well balanced all around the ground, so that’s going to be a massive challenge to us, to make sure we are competing across all positions on the field. They are a club that doesn’t stay down for very long. They’ve been around the top ever since I’ve been playing – Tony Notte (Swan Districts WAFL Co-Captain).  

Round 6, 2020 - Peel Thunder (Steel Blue Oval)

When we met in 2019

How to beat Peel Thunder in 2020?

This year they are going to have a younger squad, not having the Freo boys in there. We’ll have to put pressure on them, get one up at the ball at all times and try force them to turn it over – Matt Riggio (Swan Districts WAFL Co-captain)

Round 7, 2020 - East Perth (Leederville Oval)

When we met in 2019

How to beat East Perth in 2020?

They’ve heavily recruited some talls in the off season and have some big bodied midfielders. Their size is their strength. They have Ajang Ajang in the ruck, Jono Freeman up forward and have also picked up Scott Jones. We’ll need to be supporting our backline and help out with a third tall up. Once it hits the ground, we’ll be able to get the advantage as our smalls are really quick this season – Corey Gault (Swan Districts WAFL Vice-captain).

Round 8, 2020 - Perth (Steel Blue Oval)

When we met in 2019

How to beat Perth in 2020?

They are really fast starters. No matter where we’ve both sat on the ladder over the years, every game has always been competitive. It’s always a grudge match and like the derby of the WAFL for us. They have a lot of talent through their midfield and we have to combat that early – Tony Notte (Swan Districts WAFL Co-Captain).

Round 9, 2020 - East Fremantle (New Choice Homes Park)

When we met in 2019

How to beat East Freo in 2020?

They have a very strong midfield and ruck division, along with significant experience from guys that have played in the AFL. If we are tight and lock them up, particular in the middle, we’ll win the game - Adam Pickering (Swan Districts WAFL League Coach).