ROUND 23 PREVIEW V SWAN DISTRICTS

IT is Members' Appreciation Day at HBF Arena on Saturday as West Perth hosts Swan Districts in the final round of the WAFL season before the Falcons embark on another finals campaign.

West Perth and Swan Districts might have little on the line on Saturday at HBF Arena but games between the two clubs always throw up something unexpected and don't be surprised if that happens.

With West Perth guaranteed of finishing third no matter the result and Swan Districts sitting five games and percentage clear on the bottom of the ladder, there might be little at stake but that doesn’t mean both teams won't want to put in good performances.

The Falcons are coming off the bye last week on the back of a one-point win over Claremont and they are they are now assured of finishing in third position currently sitting two games clear of the fourth placed Peel Thunder.

That means West Perth will be taking part in next Saturday's WAFL qualifying final against South Fremantle at Fremantle Community Bank Oval with the winner to advance to the second semi-final against Subiaco at Medibank Stadium. The loser will host a first semi-final.

West Perth will want to put in a strong performance against Swan Districts to enter the finals in good form and full of confidence while a host of players will be fighting for their spots the following week with Shane Nelson, Steve Potente and Tyler Keitel among those who will be returning.

Swan Districts has had a horror season winning just two matches including its last seven games by an average of almost 44 points.

The Falcons and Swans have met just the once so far in 2016 back in the Anzac Day Round with West Perth winning on that occasion by 23 points at Steel Blue Oval.

AARON BLACK PERTHNOW COLUMN 
FALCONS GEAR UP FOR FINALS ASSAULT AFTER WELCOME BYE 
BILL MONAGHAN ROUND 21 Q & A 

There is plenty of movement at the selection table for West Perth coming off the bye and leading into the qualifying final next Saturday against South Fremantle.

Joel Leeson, Joe Morrow, Laine Rasmussen and Drew Rohde all pulled up sore with varying complaints and severity from the game at Kingsway at Subiaco and didn’t play in the win over Claremont prior to the bye.

But all four will return on Saturday against Swan Districts to get a hit out under their belts ahead of the finals beginning.

Kris Shannon and Tyson Moulton are two more players in contention to play for the Falcons after some good performances in the reserves. Against Claremont two weeks ago, Shannon had 19 possessions and four tackles in the reserves and Moulton 14 disposals, five marks and two goals.

Key defender Tyler Keitel hasn’t shaken off an ankle injury he suffered early on against Claremont and as a result won't be there to play Swan Districts on Saturday with 2013 premiership players Luke Tedesco and Steve Potente also going out of the Falcons side.

Ricky Cary is a chance to return for Swan Districts to provide the black-and-whites with a marking target and goal kicker in attack.

Josh Cipro, Jacob Ness and Aidan Clarke are three more young players who could all receive an opportunity for Swans in the final round after some good reserves form.

Last week against Perth, Cipro had 14 possessions and a goal in the reserves, Ness had 19 disposals and six marks, and Clarke two goals from 21 touches.

Kirk Ugle again loses his place in the Swan Districts team with coach Greg Harding not afraid to have some of his best and most experienced players in the reserves.

Freddie Clutterbuck, Jacob Burnham and Matthew Jukes are among them that were in the reserves last week against Perth and who will again be there this Saturday against West Perth at HBF Arena.

ROUND 23
WEST PERTH (12-7, 3rd) v SWAN DISTRICTS (2-17, 9th) – HBF ARENA, SATURDAY 2.15PM
Broadcast – 107.3 HFM

LEAGUE TEAMS, LIVE STATS 
RESERVES TEAMS, LIVE STATS 
COLTS TEAMS, LIVE STATS