Huge test for rebounding Thunder

REBOUNDING after a stinging loss to Swan Districts, Peel Thunder’s next big test comes in the form of reigning premiers Subiaco, who are perched on top of the ladder.

Unbeaten at home this season, the Thunder is hoping to turn Bendigo Bank Stadium into a fortress.

While it is a top-of-the-table clash, the Thunder was disappointing last week against the Swans and will be hoping to make amends against a Lions side brimming with star quality.

The Thunder had few answers to the Swans’ pressure after quarter time, but forward Leroy Jetta told 91.3 SportFM the side was ready to bounce back against the league’s benchmark.

"We had a pretty gruelling session on Tuesday in terms of going over the tape, a lot of guys got put on the spot for a lot of weak efforts," Jetta said.

"We probably got off to an OK start and then after that disengaged from the game plan and weren’t playing Peel Thunder footy which we had been for the previous five or six weeks.

“We have addressed that and have to come out and have a hot crack at Subi. It will be a great challenge for us."

Curbing the scoring prowess of Shane Yarran will be high on the agenda, with the likes of Josh Bootsma and the returning Tanner Smith set to rotate through the livewire forward.

Yarran leads the Bernie Naylor Medal with 23 goals so far this season, and is coming off a four-goal game against Perth.

For the Thunder, improvement will be expected across the board, with the likes of Brendon Jones, Gerald Ugle and Max Duffy all having quiet games against the Swans.

Minimising errors will be critical against the reigning premiers, while a big response in work ethic is expected.

Defensively, Smith is a handy inclusion for the Thunder, given Alex Pearce has been called up to make his debut for Fremantle on Saturday.

Another big addition is Tendai Mzungu, and he will be itching to stake his claim for a Dockers recall with a big performance.

Unfortunately, injury has cruelled Michael Apeness’ season, and the versatile big man will miss up to three months with a knee injury.

However, Jack Hannath returns to fill that void as a ruckman-forward, while promising forward Nathan Fahey’s solid form in the Reserves has been rewarded.

The Lions are the in-form team of the competition, and the Thunder cannot afford any lapses against the reigning premiers.

Bouncedown is at 2.15pm on Saturday, so get down and show your support for the Thunder!