Season launch a success

PEEL’S 2015 campaign has officially kicked off with another successful season launch at Bendigo Bank Stadium on Saturday night.

The evening featured the popular Player Auction, where tables bid on groups of players to win money throughout the season.

The auction raised $20,000, which is a fantastic effort, while the Corporate Classic first prize was a lucrative package worth approximately $20,000 won by Mandurah Mail.

An all-new leadership group was also introduced to the Peel Thunder faithful, led by stalwart and reigning Tuckey Medallist Brendan Jones.

Jones, who is in his second stint as skipper, will be deputised by classy utility Eddie Dann, while boom recruit Leroy Jetta and defender Josh Bootsma round out the leadership group.

Peel coach Cam Shepherd said the club was excited to build on the positive steps made in the latter half of last season.

“We’re looking forward to a really exciting time in 2015, we are young but we are enthusiastic and have enormous belief in ourselves,” Shepherd said.

“We see a real passion throughout the club, from the Under 16s through the Colts program, which is being run very professionally, and into our group.”

New Colts captain Sam Shackles and his leadership group were also introduced to the audience, as they look to improve on last year’s wooden spoon finish.

While the final scratch match resulted in a disappointing loss for Peel, the club remains upbeat about its chances for success in 2015.

Photograph; Coni Forrestdale