Royals face new breed of Swans at home

East Perth will go into tomorrow’s game full of confidence against a team that hasn’t beaten the club in almost two seasons.

East Perth and Swan Districts last met (prior to this pre-season) in the 2013 semi-final and will clash at Medibank Stadium tomorrow in the Royals’ first home game of 2014.

East Perth were victorious by 28 points in that game last September at Bassendean's Steel Blue Oval. It was the first win on their way to making the grand final and one of the best matches of the 2013 season.

The club started their 2014 season campaign with a 19-point opening round win over Peel at Bendigo Bank Stadium last Saturday, and will be hoping to back up that performance tomorrow.

From last weekend’s winning side, midfielder Brad Sheppard and Brant Colledge have been named in the Eagles final lineup. Simon Tunbridge will be rested, after he sustained a broken nose in the match. Dom Sheed, Patty McGinnity, Blayne Wilson (who is returning from injury), Steven Wityk, Jacob Payne, Tom Hodgson and Matt Gordon have all been named in the 25-man squad.

Meanwhile, Swan Districts will play their first game of the year after sitting out the bye. The club will be without a number of experienced personnel from their 2013 side. Kyle Hams, Shaun Hildebrandt, Tom Roach, Wayde Twomey, Ryan Davis, Dayle Garlett, Rory Lobb, Andrew Embley, Charlie Cameron and Jamie Bennell are no longer at the club.

Tallan Ames, Tim Geappen, Matt Riggio, Graham Jetta and Tony Notte, however, still boast plenty of WAFL experience and will be crucial if Swans are going to challenge again in 2014.

Bouncedown is at 2:00pm