Thunder thrilled to have Will

The Peel Thunder Football Club is proud to announce the signing of West Coast Eagles Premiership Player Will Schofield for the 2021 Optus WAFL Premiership Season.

Schofield, a veteran of 194 AFL Games, played 44 games for the Thunder between 2007 and 2011 after getting picked up by the Eagles with the 50^th overall selection in 2006.

Originally a running defender known to kick the odd goal on the run, his role at West Coast changed in 2015. When two key defenders went down through injury, Schofield through almost necessity altered his game and became one of the most underrated lockdown defenders in the AFL. He is perhaps now most notorious for his heroics in the 2018 Grand Final and as a player that has seen just about everything at the highest level.

For Schofield, the idea of coming back to his first WA club was a really exciting prospect and presents an ideal opportunity to re-connect with a community and location he and his family cherish.

“I’m stoked to be back at the club where it all started for me at WAFL level. Peel is a great family club; my wife Alex and I love Mandurah and can’t wait to get stuck into the next challenges ahead on and off the field.” Schofield said.

An outstanding athlete as a junior, he was never guaranteed anything throughout his AFL career and to have been able to play football at the highest level for 14 years and reach the ultimate, will be an invaluable addition to the club’s young list.

Matt Rosa, General Manager of Football Operations who was a teammate of Schofield’s from 2007 to 2015 is delighted that Schoey was eager to return to the club and believes it to be a real positive reflection on the club as a whole.

“We’re really thrilled to have Will, Alex & Nash join the club. Will still felt that strong connection from his playing days at the Peel Thunder which is a testament to the people involved at the club.” Rosa said.

While final spots on the list, and the final details around the alignment with Fremantle still to be worked out, Rosa thinks it’s a massive get to have someone that has done it all and that can impart his vast knowledge on to a young core group of players.

“He’s a competitor and was playing really good AFL footy this year so we excited at what he will bring from a playing point of view but also from a experience & leadership perspective, to assist in the development of a young exciting group”

Please welcome Will, Alex and Nash to the club and we can’t wait to see him out with his new teammates when Pre-Season commences in just over a months time.