Harding wary of East Perth bouncing back
Swan Districts coach Greg Harding is not prepared to underestimate East Perth in tomorrow’s clash at Medibank Stadium.
The Royals opened their 2015 campaign with a 55-point loss to East Fremantle last Saturday night, when they were outgunned from the start.
Four of their five goals for the match came in the final quarter.
Conversely, Swans could not have been more impressive in their clinical 96-point dissection of Perth at Steel Blue Oval earlier in the day.
Harding is well accustomed to coaching teams branded as underdogs, guiding Swan Districts to last year’s first semi-final after they had been widely tipped to finish last.
“We spoke about it after the game, we don’t know where Perth are going to be in the scheme of things,” Harding said.
“Again, when the tips came out at the start of the season, like they did last year, they look at our list and have us pretty much down the bottom of the ladder.
“This week we’re against East Perth, who are one of the favourites for the competition and will have a lot of AFL talent in their system.”
East Perth’s chances received a significant boost yesterday, with 11 West Coast squad members, including key defender Mitch Brown, released to play.
Harding said the match would be a good guide for Swan Districts, who have a bye next week ahead of home matches against South Fremantle and East Fremantle.
“This will be a genuine test I believe,” he said.
“But I’ve got a positive sense that our boys understand that and they will really have a point to prove against East Perth.”
Harding said he was confident veteran forward Tim Geappen, restricted to two second-half goals in his 150th WAFL game last weekend, would rebound against the Royals.
Describing Tasmanian recruit Geappen as a “loyal stalwart” in 149 WAFL matches and one Foxtel Cup fixture, Harding said it was a tribute to the 2010 premiership player that he had stuck by the black and whites.
“A few of his premiership teammates have chosen to go to other clubs,” Harding said.
“He’s been one of the interstate boys who has really hung in there and coached within our system, so he will be keen to have a great day.”
Describing the 16-goal victory over Perth as “a confidence booster ahead of a long season”, Harding said it had been built on strong defence and playing together. He said last year’s semifinal loss to East Fremantle, when they led by 30 points, remained a reminder of how quickly matches could slip away.
