Peel Thunder will look to their pressure-filled game style to return to them to the winners’ list when they take on East Perth this Saturday.
The Thunder are coming off a bye and a three-game losing skid, and will be eager to turn things around when they take on the second-last Royals in the “mini-derby”.
Peel coach Cam Shepherd said his side would look to employ their natural game plan, piling the pressure on across the ground.
“I think we need to put the pressure on particularly at the half forward space,” he said.
“If we can cause turnovers around that area then we put ourselves in a really good position to score and hurt them on the rebound.
“Hopefully we can execute those things and get the results.”
The Thunder has been down in recent weeks on the scoreboard, but all three of their losses this season have been competitive ones.
Missed opportunities in front of goal hurt them against South Fremantle, while their opening halves in the Subiaco and West Perth matches crippled what would have been stunning comebacks.
Shepherd said he expects his side to stabilise and return to winning form.
“We’d been on a really good run before the last three games and I think we’ve still been in each of those games at some point,” he said.
“It goes to show nothing lasts forever.
“If we get the right mix of players on the field and stick our tackles I’m sure we’ll stabilise and come into form again.”
As it is with every Peel v East Perth game, fans will be able to watch a host of AFL talent do battle on the WAFL stage.
The Fremantle and West Coast affiliate clubs played off in round one this season, with Peel coming away as comfortable winners.
But now, the Thunder sit just one win above the Royals on the ladder and will be keen to stretch the gap this weekend.
The midfield battle looms as a tantalising one for the fans.
Rory O’Brien has been in fine touch for the Thunder, and will roll through the middle with Fremantle names like Cam Sutcliffe and Nick Suban (given they aren’t selected by the Dockers).
For East Perth, names like Lewis Jetta, Luke Partington and Kurt Mutimer could dash through the corridor, again given they aren’t named to the Eagles’ side.
The Royals have come under the microscope during the start of the season after a five-game losing streak had them equal bottom with East Fremantle.
A win over Peel this week would help turn their season around after they edged out Perth the week before.
Bounce down for the Peel v East Perth game is at 2.40pm at Bendigo Bank Stadium, Saturday.
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
