swannies
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Righto, we're at the half way mark of the season and it looks as though it's 6 fighting out for 4. But Perth, East Perth and Claremont are not out of it if they can string together 7 or 8 wins, unlikely but still possible. Should be a ripping round this week with teams all playing teams around them on the ladder. AFL ins and outs are going to become more critical than ever in the run home.
Peel v East Freo - Peel finally get back on the winning side, and the Sharks are coming back refreshed having done the same against Souths a fortnight ago. This will be a test for Peel with Ballantyne and still without their under 18s talent that was serving them so well. The Sharks may have 1 or 2 AFL players back, which will further enhance their cause. Haines has been in rare form, with able support from Rosa, Arrowsmith, Bloxsidge, Schofield, Ware and Robins (is he back?). The Sharks are always well served by McCarrey, Houlihan, Dalby, Hardingham (who has really come of age). Should be a very interesting contest this one, but I see the Sharks just getting over the line.
Perth v East Perth - where do you start with these 2 this year? Showed glimpses of great play but then dropped away badly to be awful. If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times this year, EP need more support for Noakes up forward. The ball gets in there enough. Will they have McKinley back this week? I suspect they might if the Eagles are determined to debut Naitanui against Richmond. Perth have a number of AFL listed players that need to pull their fingers out, as the saying goes. Their prize recruits started serving them so well but seem to have dropped away a bit, but also don't have the depth of support players that other teams have. I think it's time for Perth to bring through Rhys Peedle and Ben Power from their colts last year, if they're not playing. They showed a fair bit to me last year. EP have debuted quite a few younger players this year, but again I ask, where is Freddy Clutterbuck? I feel sorry for Jars because he seems to have come over with high hopes, only to be met by the inevitable wall of doom at Lathlain.
One thing is for certain, it's against the hated enemy so anything can happen and if there's a game both teams can get up for, it's this one. I think EP, just.
Souths v West Perth - another critical game, because Souths can snatch top spot back or WP can put an extra game between them and the favourites for this years flag. After a sensational win last week the Falcons will be up and about, but they travel to one of their least favourite grounds. I think I'd be right in saying Souths have the wood over WP at Freo oval, like most teams probably? Souths have to get more work rate out of their smaller players like Farmer, Phillips, and the Hams from last week. Graham works really hard around the ground and will be a big challenge for Seaby, whilst if Murphy is out the avenues to goal don't look so great, especially as Bairstow is out as well at the moment. WP's forwards are dangerous but can go missing, so I expect Wilson to be dizzy by the end of the day and possibly not knowing which end he is going towards, he'll be asked to cover a few I think. I think this will be another nailbiter with the home side just getting over the line.
Subi v Swans - should be a cracker but with one important ommission from Swans, excuse me for not feeling excited about this one. Swans have the running game to go with Subi and have developed a solid defence with Ames, Spencer and Casserley. Maplestone has been so hit and miss this year, probably mirrored Subi's season to date, yet they still lie equal second. Shows the quality and expectations of this team. Last time they met Swans escaped with a 3 point win, which should have been closer to 10 goals. Spaanderman continues to be a highly effective ruckman, with great support from Roberts, Robinson, Davis, Colreavy, Twomey and Jetta. Subi are getting their best midfield together with Read, Cockie, Cossom, Bristow and Hildebrandt amongst the best. This game will be swung by AFL selections, if Cockie and Naita are out, it's pretty even, if only Naita is out, it swings Subi's way and if Naita stays in, Swans should be in the box seat. Watters will have them up and running for this week, so I expect a tough ask at Leederville and am slightly leaning towards the Lions.
Let's hope the weather is filthy all week and weekend until Saturday and fine for the afternoon. Hope everyone enjoys their footy this weekend and may the WAFL crowds continue to grow as they have this year so more can enjoy this great game.
Peel v East Freo - Peel finally get back on the winning side, and the Sharks are coming back refreshed having done the same against Souths a fortnight ago. This will be a test for Peel with Ballantyne and still without their under 18s talent that was serving them so well. The Sharks may have 1 or 2 AFL players back, which will further enhance their cause. Haines has been in rare form, with able support from Rosa, Arrowsmith, Bloxsidge, Schofield, Ware and Robins (is he back?). The Sharks are always well served by McCarrey, Houlihan, Dalby, Hardingham (who has really come of age). Should be a very interesting contest this one, but I see the Sharks just getting over the line.
Perth v East Perth - where do you start with these 2 this year? Showed glimpses of great play but then dropped away badly to be awful. If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times this year, EP need more support for Noakes up forward. The ball gets in there enough. Will they have McKinley back this week? I suspect they might if the Eagles are determined to debut Naitanui against Richmond. Perth have a number of AFL listed players that need to pull their fingers out, as the saying goes. Their prize recruits started serving them so well but seem to have dropped away a bit, but also don't have the depth of support players that other teams have. I think it's time for Perth to bring through Rhys Peedle and Ben Power from their colts last year, if they're not playing. They showed a fair bit to me last year. EP have debuted quite a few younger players this year, but again I ask, where is Freddy Clutterbuck? I feel sorry for Jars because he seems to have come over with high hopes, only to be met by the inevitable wall of doom at Lathlain.
One thing is for certain, it's against the hated enemy so anything can happen and if there's a game both teams can get up for, it's this one. I think EP, just.
Souths v West Perth - another critical game, because Souths can snatch top spot back or WP can put an extra game between them and the favourites for this years flag. After a sensational win last week the Falcons will be up and about, but they travel to one of their least favourite grounds. I think I'd be right in saying Souths have the wood over WP at Freo oval, like most teams probably? Souths have to get more work rate out of their smaller players like Farmer, Phillips, and the Hams from last week. Graham works really hard around the ground and will be a big challenge for Seaby, whilst if Murphy is out the avenues to goal don't look so great, especially as Bairstow is out as well at the moment. WP's forwards are dangerous but can go missing, so I expect Wilson to be dizzy by the end of the day and possibly not knowing which end he is going towards, he'll be asked to cover a few I think. I think this will be another nailbiter with the home side just getting over the line.
Subi v Swans - should be a cracker but with one important ommission from Swans, excuse me for not feeling excited about this one. Swans have the running game to go with Subi and have developed a solid defence with Ames, Spencer and Casserley. Maplestone has been so hit and miss this year, probably mirrored Subi's season to date, yet they still lie equal second. Shows the quality and expectations of this team. Last time they met Swans escaped with a 3 point win, which should have been closer to 10 goals. Spaanderman continues to be a highly effective ruckman, with great support from Roberts, Robinson, Davis, Colreavy, Twomey and Jetta. Subi are getting their best midfield together with Read, Cockie, Cossom, Bristow and Hildebrandt amongst the best. This game will be swung by AFL selections, if Cockie and Naita are out, it's pretty even, if only Naita is out, it swings Subi's way and if Naita stays in, Swans should be in the box seat. Watters will have them up and running for this week, so I expect a tough ask at Leederville and am slightly leaning towards the Lions.
Let's hope the weather is filthy all week and weekend until Saturday and fine for the afternoon. Hope everyone enjoys their footy this weekend and may the WAFL crowds continue to grow as they have this year so more can enjoy this great game.
