Peel’s finals race: what you need to know

Peel’s finals race: what you need to know
Alex Paull
 

For the first time in its history, Peel Thunder has made it to the pointy end of the season.

It has been a year littered with broken records, including:

• Most wins in a season (beating eight in 2008)
• Best percentage (104.43%, first time it is in three figures)
• Most wins in succession (four, achieved twice this year, beating the previous record of three)
• Most miserly season (82.26 average score conceded per game, easily beating last year’s average of 88.9 and only the third time it has conceded less than 100 on average in a season)

It feels good to see the Thunder in the finals, and it will no doubt have a huge impact on the Peel region. But what does it all mean?

Right now, the Thunder sits in third position, one game and hefty percentage behind West Perth in second. If the finals were played this weekend, it would mean Peel – armed with the double chance – would travel up the freeway to face the Falcons at HBF Arena in a qualifying final clash.

That said, one week still remains before the intensity of finals, so here are the possible scenarios ahead of Saturday’s clash with South Fremantle at Bendigo Bank Stadium.

If Peel wins: The Thunder stay in third position and will travel to HBF Arena for a clash with West Perth. For Peel to jump into second, they need to make up 13.52%, meaning West Perth have to lose catastrophically to Claremont, and Peel need to thump the Bulldogs. Both scenarios are possible, but unlikely given how far ahead the Falcons are on percentage.

If Peel loses and East Perth wins: then the Thunder will relinquish third position and a double chance. East Perth face ladder-leaders Subiaco who are three points clear on top. If the Royals pull off an upset and the Thunder go down to the Bulldogs, the Royals would leapfrog the Thunder into third.

If both Peel and East Perth lose: then they will remain in their respective places.

How the finals race will work:
In the revamped final five format, the first week of finals looks something like this:
Elimination Final: 4^th vs 5^th (4^th earn home final)
Qualifying Final (2^nd vs 3^rd (2^nd earn home final)
The team who finishes on top of the ladder automatically qualify for the 2^nd Semi Final in the second week, and they play the winner of the Qualifying Final.
The winner of the Elimination Final will face the loser of the Qualifying Final in the 1^st Semi Final.
Emerge triumphant from that, and the 1^st Semi Final victor will clash with the 2^nd Semi Final loser for a chance to play in the Grand Final.

It’s exciting, it’s September, and it’s why we love footy. And Peel Thunder is set to make their debut in the real stuff for the first time.