Long trip to get 2015 underway for Thunder

PEEL has its eye on opening the 2015 season in the best way possible, however it will have to contend with the longest trip in WAFL football when it takes on West Perth at HBF Arena tomorrow.

The Thunder’s record at Joondalup isn’t good, with only two wins from 19 games.

 However the young side will be boosted by the presence of Fremantle superstars Michael Barlow and Paul Duffield who will look to impose themselves on the contest ahead of Fremantle’s Round 1 clash with Port Adelaide.

Peel’s backline is also in good shape, and great things are expected of young leader Josh Bootsma, who looks set to line up on Falcons young gun Nic Rodda, while Tanner Smith and Alex Pearce are other tall options in defence.

It is also the first time Peel will see the likes of hyped talents Lachie Weller and Connor Blakely in the Thunder jumper, while boom recruit Gerald Ugle will also make his debut.

Across two games, a mere 10 points separated the two sides last year, with the Thunder failing to capitalise on a 42-point half-time lead to fall one-point short of the Falcons at HBF Arena in Round 8 courtesy of a late Anthony Tsalikis goal.

And in the last clash between the two sides, the Falcons held off a fast-finishing Thunder to triumph by 9 points at Bendigo Bank Stadium in Round 21.

The key for the Thunder in this game will be to quell the influence of prolific on-ballers Shane Nelson, Rohan Kerr and Sandover Medallist Aaron Black, but the presence of Barlow, Duffield, Danyle Pearce and Brendon Jones should make for an interesting contest.

West Perth will be looking to bounce back from their 35-point loss to South Fremantle last Friday, but the Thunder has the class to push the Falcons and will be looking to avenge last year’s two harrowing losses.

PEEL side

Photos : Coni Forrestall