Peel Thunder’s Grand Final Selection Squeeze

Peel Thunder coach Adam Read admits when his team is announced for Sunday’s Sullivan Logistics WAFL Grand Final there will be players who are left heartbroken.

Read is on the verge of his second premiership as coach of Peel but knows the tough calls which will have to be made.

“Since I have taken this job, I have gone through every coaching course you could imagine and I don’t think it teaches you about how you are supposed to have those tough conversations on selection,” Read said.

The availability of Fremantle Dockers defender Brennan Cox is a bonus for the minor premiers who will start up to 14 AFL-listed players against Claremont.

“When someone of Brennan’s ability is available, we are more than happy to take it,” he said.

“He is a Peel premiership player already so has a strong connection with the club.

“It’s also his opportunity to get himself ready for a potential AFL Grand Final.”

While Cox will strengthen the best backline in the competition, the selection of ruckman Sean Darcy is in doubt because of a knee issue, while forward Corey Tregenza and Aiden Riddle have been sidelined for several weeks but are both pressing to be part of Grand Final day.

“Tregenza has trained really well this week, and his ankle is doing well so he will be discussed at length at the selection meeting,” Read explained.

After defeating Claremont by 28 points in the Second Semi Final, the Thunder have enjoyed a week’s break before the decider.

“It is a long season so any chance the players get to freshen up it’s good and we think we have handled that well,” the coach said.

“There’s a great feeling at the club and we will have a captain’s run on Saturday at Optus Stadium.

“We have a great trust in the system in place at Peel and the roles we play.”

For Sears in his first full season as skipper, the chance to replicate what Ben Hancock achieved as captain in 2024, is an exciting prospect.

“Ben has been such a great support to me and I’m glad he gets the chance for another flag,” Sears said.

“I have been at the club for more than a decade, am a Mandurah boy who grew up barracking for the Thunder, so to have the opportunity to be a premiership captain would mean a lot to me.”