Huge test for Peel in ‘mini-derby’

OVER 24 hours before the Western Derby, Peel and East Perth will clash in a derby of sorts, when the alignment clubs of both Fremantle and West Coast meet at Medibank Stadium tomorrow.

Both clubs have two wins in a row, with Thunder inside the top five for the first time this season, while the Royals sit 6^th following last week’s bye.

The Thunder scraped through for a win against Perth last week on the back of a scintillating final term, and the visitors will be looking to snap a four-game losing streak against their alignment rivals.

Skills and composure were two buzz-words used to spark the Thunder’s strong final term last week, and those facets will be crucial to securing a win against last year’s Grand Finalists.

On the other hand, East Perth has named a strong squad for co-captain Craig Wulff’s 250^th game.
 
Peel’s tall stocks have been hit with Jack Hannath, Michael Apeness and Tanner Smith all withdrawn from the squad, leaving the likes of youngsters Dylan Winton and Nathan Fahey to assume the key posts along with Craig Moller and Alex Pearce.

Ed Langdon and Gerald Ugle were both influential last week off half back and through the midfield, while Josh Bootsma was a tower of strength in defence.

That trio, in combination with a young midfield, will help determine the outcome as they tackle a Royals side with experience and class on every line.

The Thunder has shown considerable improvement so far this year, but Saturday’s clash could arguably be the club’s biggest test of its credentials.

If the Thunder can eliminate the errors and lapses in concentration that almost cost them a win last week, then it will go a long way to securing a vital victory away from home.

Bouncedown is at 1.40 tomorrow, so get up to Medibank Stadium and support the Thunder!