Round 5 Preview - East Fremantle v Swan DistrictsFriday, April 14, 2017 - 12:57 PM - by Chris Pike

THE form of East Fremantle and Swan Districts to open 2017 couldn’t be more contrasting and the black-and-whites have some added incentive with a big milestone, but the Sharks will be coming out hungry.

East Fremantle is winless and Swan Districts undefeated so far in 2017 coming into the clash at East Fremantle Oval in the standalone Saturday clash in the WAFL over the Easter Weekend.

While that leaves Swans as the warm favourites to head to East Fremantle Oval and beat the Sharks, it's certainly still early enough in the season for East Fremantle to turn things around.

It has been a start to the season to forget for the Sharks with losses to Claremont, Peel Thunder and Perth. 

There was good news last week in the loss to the Demons with the return of Brock O'Brien, but the Sharks can't get George Hampson back quick enough as well.

However, East Fremantle has now lost Brett Peake to retirement who made the announcement following last week's defeat against Perth. It just happened to be after a game featuring both WAFL clubs his legendary father Brian played for during his career.

East Fremantle returns home on Saturday looking for its first win of 2017 against an undefeated Swan Districts line-up. A loss for the Sharks and falling to 0-4 would make remaining in the finals race decidedly difficult.

The Sharks need to show something. After they started 2016 impressively winning six of their first nine games, they have now lost all but three of the past 14 matches.

Swan Districts can really set up its resurgence this season, though, with a fourth straight win for 2017.

Coming off winning just two games in all of 2016 to claim the wooden spoon, Swans have been tremendous in its opening three games beating Perth, South Fremantle and East Perth prior to last week's bye.

This week the black-and-whites have some added motivation with club legend, premiership player and life member Tallan Ames celebrating his 250th appearance for Swan Districts.

Swans legend Tallan Ames reaches 250-game mark 

Looking back on 2016, the two teams met on just the two occasions with East Fremantle winning by 49 points in Round 1 at East Fremantle Oval and then by 18 points in Round 18 at Steel Blue Oval.

It's fair to say both teams are vastly different now, though, both in terms of personnel and their confidence levels.

Following last Saturday's 13-point defeat to Perth at Lathlain Park, East Fremantle loses Peake to his retirement decision.

The Sharks could regain Hampson for the clash in what would be a massive boost but he will still need to prove his fitness.

East Fremantle would be well-served to look to youth and in a bid for that to happen Jye Clements and Tyler Sorrell are both in contention to make their league debuts for the Sharks on Saturday.

There's little reason for Swan Districts to look to change too much from its team that beat East Perth prior to last week's bye, but Ryan Crowley has overcome a tight hamstring to put his hand up to play.

Big man Jake Nuich could also return for the black-and-whites with Jacob Coniglio's solid reserves form putting his name in the mix.

EAST FREMANTLE (0-3, 9th) v SWAN DISTRICTS (3-0, 3rd) – EAST FREMANTLE OVAL, SATURDAY 2.15PM
Selected teams, live stats 
Broadcast – 720 ABC Perth