Peel Thunder will be out to snap Subiaco’s monstrous 14-game win streak when the two sides meet in Mandurah this weekend.
The Lions have been on a tear through the fixture since losing a round one game to South Fremantle, winning their subsequent 14 matches and sitting in top spot guarded by a three-game gap.
Now they face a Peel team on a hot run of their own, having won five straight matches and eight of their past nine.
With one team’s streak set to come to an end, this looms as another fierce chapter in what has become an epic modern rivalry in the WAFL.
The talking points
1. Last time they met
Subiaco handed Peel their most recent loss when they somehow stole away with a thrilling four-point victory in round 11. The lead swung back and forth several times in the final 10 minutes, with each side thinking they had kicked goals to seal the game. However, it was a last-second miracle snap from Lions captain Kyal Horsley that gave his side the win. The blockbuster clash added to the brilliant rivalry Peel and Subiaco have treated fans to over the past two seasons, and those fans will be drooling if they get another showdown like they watched eight weeks ago.
2. Blair Bell returns
Peel Thunder premiership player Blair Bell hasn’t played since his side’s clash against Subiaco in round 11 after he was dealt a five-game suspension for breaking the jaw of Aaron Heal. But the lively forward will be available for selection this week after serving his time on the sidelines. It creates a selection dilemma for the Thunder, with their side playing perhaps their best footy of the season in his absence. It’s hard to imagine the selectors leaving Bell out, but if he is to return, whichever player that is forced to make way can consider themselves truly unlucky.
3. Increased minutes for Harley
Harley Bennell made his long-awaited return to football in Peel’s win over East Perth last weekend, playing just 60 minutes for 12 disposals and a goal. Now into the second game of his comeback trail, Bennell is likely to play more than just an hour, but will still be restricted. From Peel Thunder’s view, it would have to be the more minutes the merrier. Bennell has the ability to break games like this open, and a couple of goals from him may just get his team over the line.
Key match-up
The disposal collectors
Each of these midfields boasts a string of players specially talented at finding plenty of the footy. Last week saw Subiaco’s Kyal Horsley (27 touches, two goals), Leigh Kitchin (32, two goals) and Adam Cockie (27, one goal) on song in a win over Claremont. For Peel, Cam Sutcliffe has been in stunning form both collecting disposals and kicking goals, while Rory O’Brien amassed 33 last week. It’s always a ripping contest when these two engine rooms do battle, and this game shouldn’t prove any different.
The fixture
Bendigo Bank Stadium, Saturday, 2.40pm