Peel Thunder to unveil premiership flag to home crowd

The Thunder will return to Mandurah’s Bendigo Bank Stadium for the first time since beating Subiaco to claim the prized piece of cloth, and will show it off to their fans in a pre-game ceremony.

Peel will go into the game coming off a win over a strong East Perth outfit in round one, and will look to go 2-0 against a Sharks side that was smacked by Claremont in round one.

Surprisingly, Peel may retain Hayden Crozier, who missed out on a Fremantle Dockers call-up despite collecting 26 touches and kicking a goal for the Thunder last week.

Crozier, Tommy Sheridan and Matt Taberner, who were influential in Peel’s round one win, have been named as emergencies for Fremantle’s round one clash against Geelong on Sunday, but could still line up for the Thunder the day before.

Alex Bray limped from the ground with a leg injury late in Peel’s round one clash and has been left out of the side’s game against the Sharks.

But he has a ready-made replacement with Brad Walsh named to Peel’s extended interchange.

Walsh gathered 27 disposals for the Thunder’s reserves last week and will likely come into the frame for the missing Bray.

Calvin Thorne is also tipped to make his first league performance for 2017. The youngster played 17 games last year and was a big contributor in the reserves in round one.

​1. Leroy’s back in town

Leroy Jetta made it loud and clear that he is back and ready to make a difference for Peel Thunder’s league team last week. In a monstrous second half, Jetta booted four goals to buoy the side to victory. Can he produce a similar performance this weekend against a hungry Sharks outfit? Peel Thunder certainly hope so.

2. An improved East Fremantle

The Sharks were dominant in their first quarter against Claremont, but it all fell apart after that, with the Tigers tearing them to shreds in the remaining three terms. However, Peel can expect to face an East Freo outfit wanting to bounce back. One would the Sharks will be better off this time around.

3. Sam Collins is primed for a big one

The trusty Fremantle-listed defender is chomping at the bit for an AFL call up, and he knows it might take just one stuff-up from Docker Zac Dawson to replace him. He led a stout Peel defence in round one and with a top-level spot hanging just inches from him, Collins might have a huge input in this match.