Trip to Bassendean provides big chance for first win

Peel make the trip to Bassendean this Saturday to take on Swan Districts as the WAFL’s two remaining winless teams look to open their respective accounts for 2020.

After promising signs in the past fortnight, Peel will look to take some strong momentum into Saturday’s clash.

Corey Morris and Ryan Bennell both come back into the side from injury, Morris will line up for game 49, while Ryan Bennell will play his first game since picking up a hamstring injury in Round 1.

Peel will take on Swans in three grades in Saturday’s action with the league bouncedown at 2.30pm, WAFLW bouncedown at 12.50pm and Colts to commence the day at the early start of 8.50am.

GUARANTEED WINNER

Peel and Swans are a combined 0-9 in 2020 so far, as both clubs have faced challenging fixtures in the first half of the WAFL season. This Saturday, (barring a draw) one will record their first win and likely relegate the loser to wooden spoon favouritism.

LAST QUARTER MATTERS

Peel put in one of their best last quarter efforts against Subiaco last week. That could be a game changer, as the last quarter could be a pivotal one this weekend. Swans concede a league worst 29 points per game in final quarters while Peel average 29 points per game in second halves as opposed to first halves where they average only 14 points per game.

HOLDING SWANS TO 50

Peel and Swans have been the two lowest scoring teams in the 2020 WAFL season, with Peel averaging 43 points per game and Swans averaging 44 points per game. Quite remarkably, Peel’s opponents this week in Swans have yet to score 50 points in a game. While offence has been stunted for Peel in 2020, if they can hold Swans to another sub 50 point score, they will be in position 1A to claim win number one.

BELL THE FORWARD

Tough Peel midfielder forward Blair Bell has a strong record against Swans. In six career games against Swans, Bell has kicked 15 goals for an average of 2.5 goals per game. This is almost double his career goal per game average of 1.1. Bell also averages 4.1 inside 50’s per game against Swans compared to his career average of 2.7. With Peel still searching for reliable avenues to goal, a big Bell game could be a welcome sight for Thunder fans.

MORE SETTLED PEEL

After a string of debuts to start the season, Peel were able to go with a settled team between round four and round five, indicating that premiership winning coach Cam Shepherd was getting closer to his best side with a healthy mix of local youngsters and experienced talent. 

THREE GOALS AWAY

Peel Thunder forward Brad Holmes remains in striking distance of the Peel club goal kicking record. Holmes currently sits on 179 goals trailing former Thunder power forward Dean Buszan who currently holds the record with 181 goals. Teammate Hayden Ballantyne sits fourth on the goal kicking list with 156 goals. For those playing at home, third on the Thunder goal kicking list was inaugural Peel player, Scott SImister with 174.

LAST YEAR’S ACTION

Swans last WAFL league win came against Peel back in Round 19 of 2019 which incidentally was the last time the two sides met. Peel dropped that game by four points despite standout efforts from Bailey Banfield and Ben Howlett. Peel skipper Howlett collected 27 disposals and 16 tackles in that game. In the two teams other 2019 match Peel recorded their highest score and biggest win of the season, scoring 125 points in a 79 point win.

OTHER GRADES

The Peel Colts face a must win encounter against the bottom placed Swans early on Saturday. A win by the Peel young guns will draw them level on two wins with the fourth and fifth placed WAFL colts teams in Perth and South Fremantle. Despite a tough couple of weeks against two of the standout WAFL colts sides, there is still strong potential of finals action for the Peel colts. Meanwhile in the curtain raiser to the league game, the Peel WAFLW side will look to bounce back from a tough round five loss to Subiaco. It is another big match for the Peel WAFLW side, as the second placed women take on third placed Swans in what has been a tight WAFLW season. On Sunday it is a top of the table Rogers Cup game at Fremantle Oval as Peel take on South Fremantle.

TEAM SELECTION