Peel Thunder made history last Sunday when they defeated East Perth by 49 points at Medibank Stadium to claim their first finals win since the club’s inception in 1996.

This week Freo’s WAFL affiliate faces the stiff task of quelling the in-form West Perth Falcons, who have posted 12 wins from their last 16 encounters.

The Falcons were soundly beaten by South Fremantle to the tune of 52 points in last week’s qualifying final and will be looking to bounce back at HBF Arena on Sunday afternoon.

The winner of Sunday’s game will determine who faces one of Subiaco or South Fremantle in next week’s Preliminary Final. From that match, a Grand Finalist will be determined.

Here’s what to note ahead of the knockout clash.

Fast start the focus for Peel

Winning in the engine room
Peel boasts one of the league’s strongest midfield departments. Matthew de Boer has tallied an average of 30 possessions per match and shown strength and quick hands in congestion. Nick Suban’s left boot was damaging on the weekend while Darcy Tucker was able to find space on the wing. Connor Blakely also adopted his typical-bull-at-a-gate approach and had a significant impact at stoppages. In hard-running on-ballers Rohan Kerr and Shane Nelson, West Perth also have quality through the middle of the ground. However against South Fremantle, the Falcons struggled for first use of the ball and were exposed in space. The battle between Peel ruckman Zac Clarke and Jack Hannath, and West Perth veteran big man Christopher Keunen could be the catalyst for deciding the half in which the ball spends the most time. The Falcons may call upon 208cm giant Seva Mozhaev for support at the centre bounce.

Battle of the big men
Peel’s key position players had a significant impact against the Royals. Two-metre forward Michael Apeness was powerful on the lead, clunking nine marks – several contested – to go with 17 possessions, five tackles and a goal. Alex Silvagni was typically courageous in defence and read the play well for 11 marks, while Sam Collins (14 possessions and six marks) also comfortably outplayed his opponent. Clarke was back to his athletic best in the ruck and around the ground, and formed a strong partnership with rucking sidekick Hannath. The Falcons’ tall stocks boast bustling forward Michael Lowry, who has slotted 36 goals as a lead up target this year in conditions often more conducive to smaller types. Rangy defender Josh Rotham has been reliable in defence, as has 20-year-old Tyler Keitel, who’s ability to find space on the rebound has earned him an average of 19 possessions and five marks per match.

Weller settled in the west

A Freo flavour for both teams
On top the litany of Fremantle-listed players that will line up for Peel, West Perth are also expected to field two ex-Freo Dockers in Max Duffy and Jay Van Berlo. Duffy’s time at the club was hampered by a succession of hamstring injuries. The agile forward managed three goals in three appearances before departing the club at the end of 2015. Duffy’s form in the WAFL has been good, slotting 33 goals – the ninth most in the league this year – in roles through the midfield and across half-forward. Van Berlo, brother of recently retired Crow Nathan, played 32 games for Fremantle in a variety of positions. His best performance came in round five, 2011, when he slotted four goals and gathered 22 disposals in a thrilling seven-point win over the Western Bulldogs at Domain Stadium. Both players are devastating on their day and will need to be quelled if Peel are to progress.

Record at HBF Arena
Of the 22 times West Perth and Peel have met in Joondalup, the Falcons have emerged winners on 20 occasions. Their most recent encounter at HBF Arena, in round eight this season, also fell the way of the Falcons, with Keitel and Kerr (32 possessions apiece) leading the home side to 17-point victory in torrential conditions. But Peel are in good form and will head into Sunday’s match unperturbed by the record books.