Huge test for Peel as history beckons

An undermanned Peel will face the biggest test in the club’s history, when they face West Perth in the First Qualifying Final of the WAFL finals series.

Despite missing some valuable contributors to Fremantle duties, an air of excitement still lingers around Bendigo Bank Stadium, with as many as seven players set to make their league debut in the cutthroat atmosphere of a final.

A win for Peel secures a passage to the Second Semi Final against Subiaco next week.

Peel coach Cam Shepherd remained bullish about his side’s chances, and was confident of a strong showing by the Thunder in their first final.

“We’ve got some great opportunities for players in our region, and we’re really looking forward to an exciting finals series for Peel Thunder, and we come in with good form, having won eight of our past 10 games,” Shepherd said.

“We recognise in relation to the alignment that in getting to third, we’ve had a strong partnership, so we’re looking forward to the weekend and we will put in a strong effort.”

While Peel has lost some class, it still has plenty of talent across every line, with Leroy Jetta and Gerald Ugle dynamic up forward and in scintillating form.

Jetta finished second in the Bernie Naylor Medal with 39 goals, while Ugle was fifth with 36. Strong performances from that pair will be critical to securing a victory.

Down back, the likes of Josh Bootsma and Sean Hurley will form a strong defensive partnership, and it is likely the pair will be tasked with curbing spearheads Michael Lourey and Matthew Fowler.

In the midfield, captain Brendon Jones will be assisted by talented youngster Ben Hancock, vice-captain Eddie Dann and promising prospect Corey Morris, who is one of 12 players brought into the squad.

Morris is coming off two Ball Medals as the best and fairest in the Reserves, while he is also a dual Colts best and fairest. He is in for his first game of the year, and the intense atmosphere may be the making of him as a player.

Mitch Gill, Laine Wilkins and Nathan Fahey have also been recalled, and they have already shown strong form in the League side this season.

Fahey will provide another strong marking target up forward to complement Tom Vandeleur, while Gill can play back and forward.

Wilkins is a talented ball-user who will provide plenty of polish off half-forward.

Peel skipper Brendon Jones will play his first final after 218 games, and earlier this week he said making the finals for the first time meant a lot to the club.

“The boys are very excited, and hopefully we will be up and about to play West Perth,” Jones said.

The Thunder have won six of its last seven games, and while West Perth have won the past nine encounters between the two clubs, the past four have been decided by less than 10 points.

Peel suffered two heart-breaking losses to the Falcons this year, by seven in the opening game at HBF Arena and by four at Bendigo Bank Stadium in Round 11.

Bouncedown is 2.15 on Sunday at HBF Arena, so make the trek up the freeway and get behind the Thunder!