A pair of Peel Thunder premiership players have had their stellar seasons recognised after being selected to the 2017 WAFL team of the year.
Midfielder Rory O’Brien and defender Sam Collins have been key components of the Thunder’s makeup as the team continues its quest for back-to-back premierships, and were both named to the WAFL’s all-star unit last week.
A Sandover medallist, O’Brien has been the model of consistency throughout his career with 2017 no exception as he was named to the squad’s interchange bench.
The prolific on-baller has played in all 22 of Peel’s games throughout the year and will hit 23 when he helps the team take on Subiaco in the grand final this coming Sunday.
Over the course of the season he has averaged 25 disposals to go with 104 total marks and 110 tackles.
The Fremantle-listed Collins has been a defensive force for the Thunder, taking on the league’s top forwards each week and helping Peel take honours as the second-best defensive team in the league, behind only Subiaco.
Named at centre-half-back in the side, Collins has taken 152 marks in 2017 going at a clip of eight per game.
His intercepting ability has been instrumental in Peel’s run to a grand final appearance, and the key position player will take on another big assignment when the Thunder battle Subiaco in a second-straight premiership game.