Round 6 Preview – Peel Thunder v ClaremontFriday, May 4, 2018 - 8:06 PM - by Chris Pike

NEITHER Peel Thunder nor Claremont have had the starts to the 2018 WAFL season they were hoping for heightening the stakes as they meet at Bendigo Bank Stadium on Saturday.

Peel and Claremont have both won just once in their four games each so far in 2018 and slipping to 1-4 entering the State game break will make it a long road back for the loser.

Considering by the end of the round, there is the potential that all teams inside the top five could already have four wins on the board, falling three games behind already after six rounds with the shorter season in 2018 would make it difficult to recover and play finals.

That makes it a crucial game for both teams at Bendigo Bank Stadium on Saturday with each side on losing slides.

Peel is coming off winning the past two WAFL premierships and then did overcome East Fremantle in the opening round on the day they raised their flag in front of their home fans.

But since then the Thunder have lost to Swan Districts, Perth and East Perth.

Claremont started the season with a three-goal loss to West Perth at HBF Arena before a bye and then beating East Fremantle on the last kick of the day at Claremont Oval. But since then, the Tigers have lost to Subiaco by 86 points and South Fremantle by 27 points.

Considering the only team either side has beaten in 2018 has been the bottom placed East Fremantle, neither has reached any great heights yet but both do possess the ability without question to be finals contenders when up and firing.

Peel has won the last three games against Claremont with both meetings in 2018 tight affairs. The Thunder won by 23 points on neutral turf at Fremantle Oval in Round 8 before also winning a thriller in tough conditions by two points at Bendigo Bank Stadium in Round 15.

Claremont's last win against Peel was in Round 19, 2016 with the Thunder going back further winning five of the last six, and seven of the last nine against the Tigers.

Claremont has struggled to find ways to score so far in 2018 averaging just 66.3 points a game with key forwards Tom Lee and Beau Maister having only combined for nine goals over the course of the season.

The Tigers' start and finishes to games have also been a concern over their opening four games. They have been outscored in first quarters this season by 50 points and in last quarters by 58 points.

Peel, meanwhile, have been outscored in first quarters by 27 points, in second quarters by 30 points and third terms by 21 points, but they have won their last quarters over the course of the season by seven points.

There are plenty of potential changes at Peel coming off last Sunday's loss to East Perth with Harley Bennell included for his first appearance of 2018 after a calf injury.

Jordan Boullineau, Alex Cohen, Josh Mathers, Corey Morris, Lloyd Meek, Matthew Piggott and Brad Walsh have been all included in the Thunder squad as well to face the Tigers.

Brennan Cox goes out for Peel having earned a call up into the Fremantle team to face Richmond at the MCG on Sunday with Blair Bell and Chris Wrigley also going out for the Thunder.

Claremont is coming off a strong showing for three quarters last Saturday in Albany against South Fremantle before ending up losing by 27 points. But one of their strongest performers the past two weeks has been Oliver Eastland in the ruck.

He goes out of the team against Peel on Saturday to be replaced by Jeremy Goddard.

James Egan, Tom Ledger, Lachlan Martinis and Isaac Wallace have been added to the Tigers squad as well with Keifer Yu out after copping a nasty knock and concussion in Albany last Saturday.

PEEL THUNDER (1-3, 6th) v CLAREMONT (1-3, 8th) – BENDIGO BANK STADIUM, SATURDAY 2.15PM
Selected teams, live stats 
Broadcast – 91.3 SportFM, Footy Radio