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Round 6 Preview v East Fremantle

Friday, May 17, 2019 - 4:26 PM by Chris Pike

SWAN Districts has started the 2019 WAFL season playing good football without getting a lot of reward but Saturday provides a chance to start changing that against East Fremantle at Steel Blue Oval.

The record for Swan Districts might say one win and four losses from the opening five matches heading into the State Game break last week, but the form of the Black Ducks has been significantly been more impressive than that.

The lone win for Swans came against the then winless West Perth at Joondalup Arena, but the four losses at the hands of South Fremantle, East Perth, Perth and even Subiaco all could have gone the other way with a bit of luck, and better finishing skills.

Now Swans are back in action following the WAFL State Game where George Hampson, Tony Notte and Corey Gault were all part of the narrow loss to South Australia with the opponent being the winless East Fremantle.

The Sharks are well coached by Bill Monaghan and have too much experience and talent to continue losing forever, but it provides a chance for Swans to begin building some winning momentum and to start getting rewarded for effort this season.

SWANS TRIO SHINE IN NARROW WA STATE GAME LOSS
SWANS TAKE IT RIGHT UP TO UNDEFEATED LIONS

The last game of the round then takes place at Steel Blue Oval with Swan Districts hosting East Fremantle.

Swans might have only won one game in the first five rounds, but have been decidedly more competitive than that suggests including last up against Subiaco. 

Swan Districts were 16 points up against three quarter-time against the Lions before being overrun but it was another performance with a lot to like similar to narrow losses to South Fremantle, East Perth and Perth.

Swans will now hope to get their second win on the board against the struggling Sharks who are winless this season and have lost their past 15 games dating back to last year.

There will be added interest too with reigning East Fremantle fairest and best winner George Hampson playing for Swan Districts against the Sharks for the first time since changing clubs over summer.

He has started life at Swan Districts in tremendous form as well and was part of the WAFL State Game on Sunday against the SANFL in reward for his performances.

He won't be the only player going up against his old side with former Swans wingman Blaine Boekhorst playing for the Sharks against the Black Ducks for the first time.

From the Swan Districts team that lost to Subiaco a fortnight ago, co-captain David Ellard returns to the line-up with Mitchell Bain, Patrick Italiano and Dylan Smith all added to the squad.

Jiah Reidy is the only player to go out at this stage.

And at East Fremantle, captain Jonathon Griffin is back to carry the ruck along with Lachlan Bailey, Kyle Baskerville, Chris Scott, Zac Jackson and Corey Robinson added to the squad.

Corey Holmes, Josef Hebiton and Dillon O'Reilly are out for the Sharks.

OPTUS WAFL ROUND 6
SWAN DISTRICTS v EAST FREMANTLE – STEEL BLUE OVAL, SATURDAY 2.15PM

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RESERVES LIVE STATS
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