PEEL Thunder has the chance to move off the bottom of the ladder when they come up against Perth this weekend at Lathlain Park.
Peel are level on wins with Perth but trail by 5.6 per cent. However, a win would see Peel leap frog over Perth.
A large enough win and a loss to South Fremantle against East Fremantle would see Peel pass South Fremantle who was a game and 6.8 per cent ahead of the Thunder. Peel has played Perth twice this season with the sides splitting the points.
Perth defeated Peel by 29 points in the side’s first encounter in round seven however just five points separated the teams at three-quarter time.
In the most recent judge of form on June 21, Peel defeated Perth by 19 points, 12.18 (90) to 10.11 (71).
After trailing by two goals at quarter-time, Peel outscored Perth in each of the remaining quarters to record the win.
Jon Griffin dominated in the ruck for Peel with 47 hit outs.
Griffin played for the Dockers in their recent loss to St Kilda though is likely to back at WAFL level following Aaron Sandilands return to the Dockers line-up following a rest.
Anthony Morabito was also influential in Peel’s win with 28 disposals and two goals.
He got a call up to the Fremantle line-up a game later and hasn’t been seen in a Peel Thunder jumper yet but with a three Dockers set to return from injury and suspension could find Morabito back at WAFL level.
Another player who could return to the Peel was Colin Sylvia.
Sylvia’s six games at AFL level have been far from spectacular.
He has kicked just one goal while playing predominantly as a forward and is averaging under 10 disposals a game.
Fremantle coach Ross Lyon has persisted with Sylvia but with Hayden Ballantyne’s return could mean he is the player to lose his spot.
Whoever loses their spot with the Dockers will be a welcomed inclusion for Peel Thunder in their bid to defeat Perth.
Peel Thunder play Perth at Lathlain Park on Saturday at 2.05pm.