More history beckons for Thunder against FalconsFriday, September 9, 2016 - 11:08 AM - by Chris Pike

PEEL Thunder made history last Sunday by winning its first ever WAFL final and now coach Cam Shepherd is looking to turnaround the club's poor HBF Arena record to advance to a preliminary final.

Peel qualified for the WAFL finals for the second time ever in 2016 and after losing both games last year to West Perth and East Perth respectively, the Thunder broke through on Sunday to beat East Perth by 49 points in the elimination final at Bendigo Bank Stadium.

That sees Peel advance to this Sunday's clash with West Perth at HBF Arena in the first semi-final. The season will be over for the loser while the winner will advance to the preliminary final against the loser of the second semi-final between Subiaco and South Fremantle.

Peel's performance last Sunday was comprehensive to beat East Perth and it was led by the back-line with Alex Silvagni, Sam Collins and Josh Bootsma setting the tone.

Shane Yarran kicked three goals and Michael Apeness was a powerful marking target while Matt de Boer, Connor Blakely, Rory O'Brien, Nick Suban, Darcy Tucker, Ed Langdon, Tendai Mzungu, Josh Deluca and Harley Balic all contributed strongly.

Shepherd was understandably happy with that performance but knows it's a whole new challenge this Sunday at HBF Arena. Peel has only won twice in 22 attempts at the Joondalup venue and have lost on their last 11 visits meaning Shepherd has never won there as coach.

The Thunder's last win at HBF Arena came in Round 21, 2006 but having now already made history by winning a final, Shepherd isn’t daunted by that challenge.

"It's a good ground to play on but our record is poor," Shepherd said.

"But records are there to be broken and we are looking to do that. We recognise they have a strong home ground advantage but when that ball is bounced we expect our blokes to go in really hard."

Peel's team featured 17 Fremantle-listed players last Sunday and that could potentially rise to 18 this Sunday depending on selection, but what Shepherd is most impressed about his team right now is that he is in charge of one combined group all playing for the goal of success with the Thunder.

While Shepherd couldn’t be happier with the way his team is performing to now be into the second week of the WAFL finals for a second straight year, he is fully aware of the challenge presented against West Perth on Sunday.

The Falcons might have lost last Saturday by 52 points in the qualifying final to South Fremantle but given Shepherd is yet to coach the Thunder to a win against them, he is fully aware of the challenge they present.

"We are one club and we'd like to think we are up for the challenge, but we know the challenge is going to be really strong. Good sides respond really well and we know we played a good brand of footy on Sunday and that's why I think this weekend will be a good game," he said.

"We were really pleased to get the first finals win for the club but I think everyone is taking West Perth's performance last week out of context a little bit. We've met them on many occasions and they didn’t finish third on the ladder for any other reason except they won enough games to do so.

"They won 12 of their last 15 coming into the finals and it's never as bad as it seems in one loss. I think it will be a real humdinger of a game on the weekend and we are looking forward to the challenge. We know West Perth will be up and going."

Peel will be forced to make one chance from last Sunday's win over East Perth with Anthony Morabito out with after tearing a quadriceps muscle. If Clancee Pearce is fit, he will be the automatic replacement.

Shepherd and his coaching staff then have the decision on whether or not to add Jonathon Griffin to his big men stocks after Zac Clarke and Jack Hannath played against the Royals – or which of the three to leave out.

"The players are feeling really good and apart from Anthony Morabito not being available we've got a full list to choose from," Shepherd said.

"It's something we are still toying with. Last week we went with Zac and Jack Hannath, but all three are quality ruckmen.

"To try to fit three in, you don't want to be too tall and you have to look at the opposition but we'll sort that out. We'd like to keep Billy Monaghan guessing about what we'll do so I won't be giving it away just yet."