PEEL Thunder will go into its match against East Perth with plenty of changes to the side after the Fremantle Dockers continue to swing the axe on veteran fringe players.
Fremantle has made three changes to it’s line-up to take on Richmond on Saturday, with Matthew Pavlich, Zac Dawson and Tommy Sheridan coming into the side for Stephen Hill, Tendai Mzungu and Cam Sutcliffe.
Hill, who suffered an adductor injury against Hawthorn next week, will not play for Peel.
While none of Fremantle’s inclusions have played for Peel Thunder in 2016, the Thunder will feel the loss of Matt de Boer, Michael Barlow and Brady Grey who have been chosen as the Dockers’ emergencies.
The trio tallied a whopping 99 disposals between them against South Fremantle last Saturday (de Boer 39, Barlow 39, Grey 21).
But Mzungu will return to the Thunder after playing his 100th game for Fremantle last weekend, while Sutcliffe will make his season debut for Peel.
The roaming defender is just one of many second-tier Fremantle players to face omission with Ross Lyon opting to test the club’s young talent after an 0-8 start to the year.
But Sutcliffe, like Michael Barlow last week, has the potential to produce a blistering performance in the WAFL.
Barlow was omitted from Fremantle last week and put on a dominant display for Peel, gathering 39 touches.
Sutcliffe could produce a similar exhibition.
He is averaging 16.8 disposals, 5.5 marks and 3.5 tackles over his eight games for the Dockers in 2016.
Those numbers are steady, but modest, and have the potential to skyrocket to Peel Thunder’s benefit on Saturday.
Sutcliffe has played 76 games with the Dockers, including the side’s 2013 grand final.
West Coast Eagles affiliate East Perth has also made a number of changes heading into the match.
Much like Peel, the Royals will feel the loss of three players who have been selected as emergencies at their AFL clubs.
Lewis Jetta, who racked up 29 disposals in East Perth’s win over Swan Districts last week, is the most notable of the trio, while Xavier Ellis and Thomas Cole have also been picked as emergencies.
Bounce down for the game is scheduled for 11.40am Saturday at Bendigo Bank Stadium.