The stage is set for a thrilling top two clash this weekend when Peel Thunder take on Claremont at Lane Group Stadium on Saturday.
The Tigers will be looking to reclaim the top spot after they started their season hot with six wins in a row before struggling to find that form again following the competition’s bye round.
Since the week off they’ve only managed to chalk up two wins – round 8 versus Subiaco and round 12 versus East Fremantle – and they’ll be hoping to string together back-to-back wins for the first time since round 6.
Peel have been on a war path throughout the middle part of the season, dominating in seven straight wins and looking to stretch it out to eight.
In recent rounds the Thunder have extended their lead on percentage with a win by 122 points last weekend and 142 points the week before.
Getting the ball into their forwards’ hands has been a huge contribution to the recent success – the side recorded 59 inside 50s in round 12 and 58 the week before.
37 shots on goal last weekend from 59 entries produced a scoring shot conversion rate of just over 62% – a rate capable of winning most matches even at AFL level.
Peel Thunder forward Corey Tregenza joined Sports Breakfast this morning.
“That’s a win in our books if we’re having 37 shots, we should be there and about,” he said.
“I think it’s the same as every team. We have a plan going in, we scout their game style and what they offer, and we try to match it with our game style.
“They’ve [Claremont] got a lot of good guys still, and even if they had a bit of bad form they always tend to be there and about. We’ll show them the respect they deserve, but also try and knock them off.”
It has been impossible to ignore Jeremy Sharp’s bid for the Sandover Medal which is accompanied by an impressive stat sheet.
This year he averages 32.8 disposals per game and has already kicked 11 goals this year, keeping in mind he spent two games of the WAFL season away in Fremantle’s AFL side.
In Sharp’s last three games he has averaged 34 disposals and 2.3 goals per game making him an offensive weapon hailing out of the midfield
His ability to put the ball into his forwards’ hands on a silver platter is one that makes him so valuable to Peel – his last three matches he’s averaged seven inside 50 entries.
Claremont took out their first meeting earlier in the year by 11 points, but Peel’s recent form has them looking like the favourites.
Both sides are equal on points, so a win this weekend will elevate either team to the top and put a gap between them and the rest of the competition.
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