There has never been a more important match between Peel Thunder and South Fremantle than Sunday’s Preliminary Final at Fremantle Oval.
One win shy of a maiden Grand Final appearance, Peel is looking as strong as it has all season. Cam Shepherd’s men outworked, out thought and outclassed West Perth to the tune of 60 points at HBF Arena last Sunday.
In contrast; the Bulldogs suffered a 40-point loss to Subiaco at Medibank Stadium and will raring to bounce back.
Here’s what to note ahead of the crucial knockout clash.
Who’s home ground advantage?
It’s hard to determine which team knows Fremantle Oval better. South Fremantle have called the ground home for more than a century, while Peel’s Fremantle-listed players are at the venue on a near daily basis throughout the season. Both teams understand how to use the ground's traditionally wide expanses (Fremantle Oval was originally used for cricket) and are likely to select teams stacked with hard-running midfielders. Since Peel’s alignment with the Freo Dockers at the end of 2013, South Fremantle holds the edge at the venue with three wins to the Thunder’s two. But four of the Bulldogs’ six losses this year have been at their home ground, including last Sunday’s semi-final loss to reigning Premiers Subiaco. Overall, South Fremantle has won just six of 10 matches at Fremantle Oval this season. It will be fascinating to see which team takes control.
The last time they met
Peel and South Fremantle last played each other in round 13 at Rushton Park. Entering the third quarter just one point in arrears, the Thunder conceded eight second-half goals and eventually fell 43 points short. Their only other encounter of the year followed a similar trend with Peel – just two points down at half time – losing by 41 points at Fremantle Oval in round nine. The Thunder will be hoping to improve on their output, as they vie for a maiden grand final berth.
An exciting time for Fremantle
Peel’s fitness base
Cam Shepherd has some elite midfield talent at his disposal. In last week’s Semi-final, the likes of Matt de Boer, Tendai Mzungu, Ed Langdon and Connor Blakely ran West Perth off their feet. This week, Peel will be looking to do the same against a talented South Fremantle midfield containing Tim Kelly, Marlion Pickett and ex-Freo player Haiden Schloithe. De Boer and Mzungu are renowned for their aerobic capabilities and have been at the front end of Fremantle’s 3km time trial for the past few seasons. Langdon arrived at the club as an elite runner, while Blakely has improved his rating markedly throughout 2016. Add to the list Nick Suban, Darcy Tucker and Josh Deluca, and Peel appears well equipped to finish the game full of run.
Stopping South’s potent forward duo
In Bernie Naylor Medallist Ben Saunders and former Port Adelaide forward Mason Shaw, South Fremantle have the nucleus of a potent forward line. Saunders spent much of 2014 and 2015 on the sidelines with a string of injury setbacks but has returned to form this season to boot 59 majors – the most in the WAFL in 2016. His sidekick, 197cm key forward Shaw, has been equally impressive as the side’s primary marking target inside 50. Fresh from three seasons on Port Adelaide's list, Shaw has slotted 50 goals of his own and looks to have taken command of the Bulldogs’ forward arc. Ex-Carlton forward Blaine Johnson has tallied a more-than-useful 35 goals from 19 games, while Schloithe (21 goals from 17 games) has also been damaging through the midfield.
