Round 10 Preview - Perth v Peel ThunderFriday, May 19, 2017 - 3:15 PM - by Chris Pike

SATURDAY'S clash at Lathlain Park between Perth and Peel Thunder shapes as an intriguing one with the Demons looking for consecutive wins and the reigning premiers out to make it three straight heading into the state game break.

Perth might have won just two games so far in 2017, but the Demons have shown vast improvement on last season in terms of their competitiveness and that shone through in a last gasp win over Claremont last Saturday.

It won't mean much unless they can back it up, though, and making it back to back wins is going to be a big ask up against Peel at Lathlain Park on Saturday.

Peel started its premiership defence impressively winning the first two games of 2017 before struggling with four successive losses. But the Thunder have been able to turn it around the past two weeks to beat Claremont and Swan Districts to steady to a 4-4 record.

The reigning premiers will now be out to make it three successive victories to consolidate their place in the top five heading into the break for the state game.

Peel has also had the best of the recent meetings with Perth having won the last seven clashes by an average of 36 points. Perth's last win over Peel was Round 7, 2014 by 29 points at Bendigo Bank Stadium.

The Demons' last home win over the Thunder was the opening round of 2013 by two goals.

Perth was impressive last week in beating Claremont at Fremantle Community Bank Oval. The Demons were in control most of the afternoon but the Tigers fought back hard in the last quarter to hit the lead at the 25-minute mark.

But the Demons kicked the last two goals through Kristian Morisey and Brennan Stack for their first win since defeating East Fremantle in Round 4.

Peel was also impressive last week beating the third placed Swan Districts at Bendigo Bank Stadium by 23 points on the back of a dominant first three quarters.

The Thunder might be the second lowest scoring team in the competition with just 70.9 points a game, but they are also the second best defence conceding just 68.3. Perth is averaging 86.5 points a game but is giving up the second most in the league at 108.0.

Throughout the season, Perth is outscoring Peel in all quarters barring the third. That has been the Thunder's real strength averaging 24 points a game in third terms this season while conceding an average of just 11.

A couple of players in the game will be looking to secure their place in next Saturday's state game where the WAFL takes on the VFL at Melbourne's North Port Oval as well. Perth captain Clint Jones and Peel goal sneak are the only players in the squad at this stage.

Perth will need all its hardened, experienced bodies it can muster to try and beat Peel, but the Demons have lost former Eagle Brant Colledge from the team that beat Claremont a week ago.

Mitch Henderson, Josh Burke, Callum Papertalk and Kurtis Chester are the players in the mix to earn inclusion for Perth with Liam McKenna, Brent Latch, Laine Wilkins and Spencer White still sidelined through injury.

Peel's team will be strengthened with the return of regular Fremantle AFL forward Hayden Ballantyne on his comeback from injury. It will be the first WAFL game for the 2008 Sandover Medallist with Peel since Round 10, 2009. It will be just his second WAFL appearance since he won the Sandover Medal.

Peel could also recall dual premiership player Josh Deluca for his first league appearance of the season while big man Luke Strnadica is in contention along with Michael Tassone.

With Fremantle playing Carlton at Domain Stadium on Sunday, the Dockers will likely release two of their emergencies to play with Peel meaning two of Darcy Tucker, Nick Suban and Tom Sheridan should line-up against the Demons at Lathlain Park.

PERTH (2-6, 8th) v PEEL THUNDER (4-4, 5th) – LATHLAIN PARK, SATURDAY 2.15PM
Selected teams, live stats 
Broadcast – HFM (107.3FM)