Peel Thunder has debuted more players than any other WAFL club across the past two seasons, and those investments are paying off with a number of young guns shining on the training track.
As the side prepares for the first of its three pre-season matches against Claremont on March 10, head coach Cam Shepherd said he was thrilled with the progress of several young players vying for positions in the league team’s best 22.
The sixth-year coach pointed to rising stars Haydn Matthews and Michael Tassone as examples of the team’s up and coming talent who saw their share of league games in season 2017.
“We put a lot of games into players just coming out of the colts system last year, so we’re going to be looking for continued improvement from them this season,” he said.
“Matthews, Tassone, Traye Bennell and young Jordan Boullineau who is coming out of the colts are some that come to mind, but we feel like we have a lot of depth when it comes to our young players.”
The Thunder has also welcomed back 2017 Peel Football and Netball League best and fairest winner Andrew Haydon, who took out the Ross Elliott Medal as a key cog in South Mandurah’s midfield last year.
He is joined in his return by fellow 2017 Falcons teammate Keegan Power, who will look to push into the Peel league side once again following a two-year stint at the club across 2015-16.
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Pinjarra premiership player Kaine Ah-Chee has also joined the Thunder for 2018.
Shepherd said it was encouraging to see players returning to the club with a renewed vigour to succeed in the WAFL system.
“It’s been great to have those boys back – Keegan’s suffered a bit of injury setback that will have him out for a month which is a shame, but Andrew is in great shape,” he said.
“They’re here to push themselves and I think they’d like to be part of the success we’ve had over the last two years so we’re excited to see what they can bring to our team.”
Peel’s pre-season games kick off at Claremont Oval, but the side will play it’s final two hit outs before the regular season in front of home crowds against Subiaco and East Perth.
Both games will be played at Bendigo Bank Stadium, with the Subiaco clash scheduled for Saturday, March 17 at 2.15pm.
The East Perth encounter will bounce down at 1.30pm on Saturday, March 24.
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
