Peel Thunder take on Perth in the country

Now the Thunder will be on a mission to maintain that position as they take on Perth in Cunderdin, a town of just over 1,000 people, in one of the WAFL’s regional showcase matches.

The match looms as a potential thriller.

Perth has improved this season and with six wins to their name the Demons are no longer the league’s easy-beat.

They sit in seventh on the ladder and would even be in the thick of finals contention (if they aren’t already) with a win over Peel.

Three spots above them in fourth sit the Thunder, an adequate ladder position given Peel’s and affiliate-club Fremantle’s horror run with injury.

A talking point heading into every Peel match this season is how many Dockers players will be lining up for them.

Six are certainties to make the trip to Cunderdin, with Alex Silvagni, Anthony Morabito, Clancee Pearce, Ethan Hughes, Jack Hannath and Michael Apeness named.

Matt de Boer and Darcy Tucker could also play, but have been named as emergencies for Fremantle’s clash with Gold Coast.

The Thunder will be desperate for a win.

They dropped three games in a row before turning things around to thump the Sharks – now they need to consolidate their performance last week with a win over Perth to cement their spot in an uncertain top four.

What hurts the Thunder is losing Shane Yarran, Josh Deluca and Zac Clarke to Fremantle selection.

But Peel has given game time to a number of younger players in recent matches, and it seems to be paying off.

Brett Milward and Bradley McGowan are showing positive signs, and will need to stand up against Perth.

The match has the makings of a classic in the country, and the result could mean a lot for both sides in the coming weeks.