Round 1 Preview: It's not a House, it's a Home.

Last year it wasn't so much a house or a home. It was a place of pain.

But, who cares! Round 1: WOO HOO!

We find ourselves in an unfamiliar place at the start of this season. For the past few years we knew who we were come Round 1, or at least we thought we knew. This season is different. There's a rookie coach. There's a host of new additions. We simply don't know how this will play out. But it should be exciting nonetheless.

There are some advantages to this. Expectations which were perhaps unnervingly high last season haved ebbed away. There isn't the same pressure to succeed. There also shouldn't be any complacency, nor lack of desire nor passion.

We are somewhat eased into season 2014 with winnable games against 3 non-finals teams from last season. It certainly can't be as tough as what we faced last year, losing badly to the 2 grand finalists in the opening 2 rounds.

Pre-season form is generally meaningless, yet there was a certain verve, a drive, an intensity in our play which was lacking last year.  Finally, we are healthier than we were at this time last season.

All this, naturally, will mean nothing if we go out tomorrow and lose.

It's impossible to overestimate how important Round 1 is to us. Firstly, it sets a tone for the rest of the year. Secondly, we must, must must, re-establish a home ground advantage. It was MIA last season as teams waltzed in, thrashed us and waltzed away with the 4 points. Not this year.

The team has a fresh look to it, with 4 new additions to the line-up. Jamie Bennell finally debuts, an ex-Demon. I have to say he looked a little slow in the practice match against the Dockers, but erm, well, we'll see. Premiership Hawk Xavier Ellis also slots into the backline, whilst rookie Sheed and former Lion Yeo are named on the bench. You would imagine first gamer Sheed would be sporting green come bounce down.

I don't know what to expect from the new guys. They all seem like solid contributors, unlikely to be more than worthy, secure options adding to our depth. Perhaps Sheed is the exception. All will be revealed...

Other notable inclusions include Sinclair, beating out the forever nearly man the Big Lycee. I feel bad for Lycee, but Sinclair has simply played better with fewer opportunities. It's also encuraging to see Nic Nat, Hurn and Lecras playing after missing games towards the end of last year's train wreck.

WEST COAST
B: Bennell D.Glass M.Brown
HB: S.Hurn E.Mackenzie X.Ellis
C: M.Rosa M.Priddis A.Gaff
HF: S.Wellingham J.Kennedy C.Masten
F: M.LeCras J.Darling J.Cripps
FOLL: D.Cox S.Selwood L.Shuey
I/C: N.Naitanui D.Sheed C.Sinclair E.Yeo

WESTERN BULLDOGS
B: L.Picken J.Roughead E.Wood
HB: B.Goodes D.Morris R.Murphy
C: J.Macrae A.Cooney K.Stevens
HF: S.Higgins S.Crameri D.Giansiracusa
F: L.Hunter J.Stringer T.Campbell
FOLL: W.Minson M.Boyd T.Liberatore
I/C: M.Wallis L.Dahlhaus T.Dickson  J.Johannisen

As for the Dogs...I don't know. They finished last year strongly. They defeated us to hurt our dwindling top 9 chances last season. Essentially, I expect them to push for finals, but perhaps a slight lack of talent will seem them miss out. Maybe. Who cares.

The point is: we should win this game by 4-5 goals. We're more talented. We're at home. We'll want o quickly dispel the ghosts of last year.

Enjoy the game!