Thunder hoping for win in Jones’ milestone game

PEEL is primed to extend its winning streak against Perth, when the two sides clash at Lathlain Park tomorrow afternoon.

In a nice piece of symmetry, Peel skipper Brendan Jones will face his old club as he becomes the fourth player to play 100 games for two clubs, a week after notching his 200^th WAFL game.

Peel has a very good recent record against the Demons, having won the last two encounters, and it will hope to maintain the momentum gained from its dominant performance against East Fremantle last week.

In contrast, the Demons have had a shaky start to the year, but the side will regain some experience with the inclusions of Chance Bateman, skipper Dene White, Michael Florio and Kane Ransted.

Aside from a withering last-quarter fightback against South Fremantle, the Demons are still developing under new coach Earl Spalding.

For Peel, former North Melbourne player Cruize Garlett has lit up the Thunder’s reserves side, and he has been recalled for his first game for the season alongside Fremantle rookie Craig Moller.

Garlett has averaged 36 disposals in his two Reserves games, and has been knocking the door down for a recall, while Moller has shown promise as a versatile ruckman.

Records were challenged last time these two sides met, with Peel’s 65-point winning margin the second-largest in the club’s history, but this match promises to be a tighter affair.

The Thunder’s performance last week was spearheaded by an all-round team performance, however the absence of tall forward Matthew Taberner (4 goals last week) puts the onus on the likes of Michael Apeness to kick a winning score.

Given how the Thunder lifted for their skipper’s milestone game last week, expect a similarly stoic performance against the Demons.