Peel trio eye off State honours

PEEL Thunder trio Brendan Jones, Gerald Ugle and Leroy Jetta have been named in the initial WA state squad for the clash against South Australia at Lathlain Park on May 23.

The squad was announced by WA coach Darren Harris on Thursday, with the trio rewarded for strong starts to the season.

Jones, who celebrated his 200^th game in Round 3 and his 100^th game for Peel in Round 4, is yet to represent WA in a state game despite his consistency over a decade of WAFL football.

The reigning Dudley Tuckey medallist is averaging 24 disposals a game as captain this year, and the 29-year-old’s form since coming out of retirement last season has been impeccable.

Much of Peel’s early-season form has been attributed to the bevy of Fremantle talent available, however the additions of former GWS youngster Gerald Ugle and ex-Essendon forward Leroy Jetta has inserted class and poise into the side.

Ugle was instrumental in the first half of last week’s clash with Claremont, booting three goals, and has generally provided plenty of dash off half-back and through the midfield.

A much-vaunted junior player, Ugle was targeted by the Peel hierarchy after a solid 2014 season with Perth, and has averaged 19 touches this year.

Meanwhile, Jetta’s AFL experience and leadership saw him named in the Thunder’s leadership group at the start of the season, and he has been a focal point up forward.

Despite booting an inaccurate 7.10 for the season, Jetta’s presence in the forward 50 has added more depth to a somewhat thin forward structure.

The initial 35-man squad will be trimmed to a training squad of 26, before the final squad of 23 is announced prior to the May 23 clash.

WAFL Initial State Squad:
Ryan Neates (Claremont), Liam Anthony, Andrew Stephen, Rory and Brock O'Brien, Bradd Dalziell (East Fremantle), Paul Johnson, Brendan Lee, Steven Payne, Kyle Anderson (East Perth), Brendan Jones, Gerald Ugle, Leroy Jetta (Peel Thunder), AidanTropiano (Perth), Ashton Hams, Ryan Cook, Ben Saunders, Blayne Wilson, Marlon Pickett (South Fremantle), Chris Phelan, Lachlan Delahunty, Clancy Wheeler, Kyal Horsley, Shane Yarran (Subiaco), Tallan Ames, Justin Simpson, Tony Notte, Ryan Davis, Matt Riggio (Swan Districts), Laine Rasmussen, Aaron Black, Chris Keunen, Jay van Berlo, Shane Nelson, Andrew Strijk (West Perth).