Despite his current allegiances to the Sandgropers - WAFL club Perth Demons to be more specific - 2005 premiership player Paul Bevan will undoubtedly be backing the red and white in today’s huge clash between the Sydney Swans and West Coast Eagles.
 
Speaking to SwansTV in the stands at Friday’s training session at Patersons Stadium, Bevan said he was looking forward to watching his former team mates battle the Eagles in a revamped take on the classic rivalry the 27-year-old was a part of during the mid-noughties.

“I’ll be cheering the red and white on, definitely,” Bevan said when asked who he’ll be backing today.

“(The games in the mid-2000’s) were obviously the highlight of my footy career. I’ve been copping it since I’ve been over here, all the West Coast supporters have been giving it to me.

“I can look back on (those times) and be very proud to be part of such a great club.”

Bevan, who returned to football last weekend following a month on the sidelines after breaking his jaw in the WAFL, is still involved with the Swans as a West Australian recruiter.

The former Swans number 42 said he was on the lookout for the next batch of talent from a state that has delivered the likes of Lewis Jetta, Trent Dennis-Lane, Tom Mitchell and Jordan Lockyer to the Swans via the draft in recent years.

“My job is to report back on the Colts games (the 16 and 17-year-old players) … and just report back on a few WAFL players who could potentially play AFL.”

The Swans and Eagles will conclude round 16 at Patersons Stadium this afternoon, with the match starting at 2.40pm WST (4.40 AEST).