Krakouer's Swans reunion
Swan Districts are ready to come face to face with Andrew Krakouer for the first time since the Sandover medallist returned to the WAFL with West Perth when the two sides meet at Arena Joondalup today.
Krakouer, 31, last week played his first game of WAFL league football since his extraordinary best-afield performance in the 2010 grand final that helped Swans win the flag and catapulted him back into the AFL system.
The former Richmond and Collingwood forward had just seven possessions and kicked a goal for the Falcons after playing three matches in the reserves.
Swans coach Greg Harding said there was a mutual respect between his club and Krakouer.
"I thought he looked pretty sharp (last week)," Harding said.
"We wish him all the best, but we just hope he doesn't kick any goals against us to be perfectly honest.
"He gave the club great service and the club was fantastic to him.
"He's moved on, but at the end of the day he's going to go down in folklore with one of the best grand finals ever."
Two other former Swans players, Steve Potente and Marcus Adams, are also likely to line up for West Perth.
Harding was excited by the prospect of his inexperienced side raising its game to another level against the premiers, who will be keen to bounce back after a shock loss to South Fremantle last Saturday.
Swans' second and third-tier players have produced the goods in three successive wins since the season-opening loss to East Perth, combining well with a core band of senior players.
Against Perth last Sunday, Nathan Blakely, Adam Faulkner, Blaine Boekhorst, Brandon Jetta, Aidan Anderson, Alex Howard, Matthew Jukes, Ricky Cary and Jarrad Blight all stood tall.
But they face another stern test against West Perth. Swans have been forced into a light week at training, with just a four-day break to prepare for today's clash. The Falcons had an extra day to ready themselves.
"It's a massive challenge for us this week," Harding said.
"Short break, West Perth with the extra day, they'll go in as massive favourites again with Andrew Krakouer back."
Swans received a boost last night when Tim Geappen received a reprimand at the tribunal for striking Perth's Bradley Keast.
