Crunch time for Peel in min-derby final

 Crunch time for Peel in min-derby final
Alex Paull

PEEL is set to welcome back as many as 11 players for Sunday’s sudden-death semi-final against East Perth at Bendigo Bank Stadium, marking the first ever WAFL League final to be played in Mandurah.

With Peel’s Colts side set to do battle in a sudden death semi-final as a curtain-raiser, it is truly the Thunder’s time to shine.

Peel was brave for a portion of last Sunday’s loss to West Perth, but the Falcons simply had too much experience and class to run out convincing 109-point winners against a young Thunder outfit.

But the Thunder will be rejuvenated by the return of skipper Brendon Jones and defensive general Josh Bootsma from injury, while Lachie Weller, Connor Blakely, Tanner Smith, Max Duffy, Ed Langdon, Brady Grey, Paul Duffield, Jack Hannath and Jacob Ballard all come back into the side following Fremantle duty.

Blakely, Grey and Ballard all made their AFL debuts for the Dockers, and will be better for the experience ahead of the cauldron atmosphere of a final.

Jones was a late withdrawal last week, but the 218-game veteran will finally break his finals drought when he leads the Thunder out on Sunday.

Peel coach Cam Shepherd said the club was excited to host a final for the first time.

“It’s the first time Peel have had a final in Mandurah, so there’s a degree of excitement around the club, considering where the club has come from over a long period of time,” Shepherd said

“[Last week] we were keen for some of our young players to have an opportunity, but we’re looking forward to playing a really strong game against a formidable foe.”

Shepherd said the medical staff prevented Jones and Bootsma from playing last week despite their desperation, and the pair were right to go against the Royals.

“As you can imagine, Brendon Jones having played 218 games without a final to be left out due to a small injury that could have become large, we weren’t prepared to take the risk,” Shepherd said.

“We look forward to him (and Bootsma) playing this week, and they will be really excited.”

Peel hold a 2-1 record over the Royals this year, but it was East Perth who prevailed the last time these two clubs met in Round 21.

These two sides know each other very well, as it is also a clash between the two alignment clubs.

Peel’s midfield regains many potent midfield weapons, including Blakely, Ballard and Grey, while Ed Langdon and Max Duffy supplement the class in the forward line provided by Leroy Jetta and Gerald Ugle.

West Coast rookie Rowen Powell was the Royals’ unlikely hero last week with three first-half goals, and he complements a strong forward line boasting the likes of Tom Lamb and Scott Lycett.

Tanner Smith impressed onlookers against Port Adelaide - his first AFL game since 2013 – and he will be important down back for Peel, while defensive rebound will be provided through vice-captain Eddie Dann.

In the midfield, the usual suspects Brendan Lee, Steven Payne and Kane Lucas were instrumental against Claremont, while Jack Hannath and Craig Moller will have to contain Royals ruck duo Paul Johnson and Scott Lycett around the ground.

It looms as a belter of a contest, so get down to Bendigo Bank Stadium early to cheer on the Colts at 11.40am prior to the League side’s clash at 2.10pm.