Peel Thunder are preparing to complete a history-making month of football when they face Subiaco in the 132nd McDonald's WAFL Grand Final at Domain Stadium on Sunday.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of the big day.
SUMMARY
Peel Thunder made history in 2015, playing in their first finals series since the club’s inception in 1997. This season, they have gone not one, but three better, winning consecutive finals games to reach the big stage. Subiaco are also on the hunt for their own slice of the history pie as they search for their third straight Premiership. If Peel manage to overpower the Lions, they will become the first team since East Fremantle in 1965 to win the McDonald's WAFL Grand Final from fourth place.
Ticketing information
WHERE AND WHEN: Domain Stadium, Sunday 25 September, 2.30pm WST
TV AND RADIO: The game will be broadcast live on Channel 7, ABC720, SportFM 91.3, 6PR 882, KIX Digital and CoastFM 97.3 in Mandurah.
WHAT HAPPENED THIS YEAR:
Round 1: Subiaco Lions 12.10 (82) d Peel Thunder 10.14 (74) at Rushton Park
Despite leading at half-time by 16 points, Peel couldn’t stop the reigning champions as they kicked five goals to one in the third term to take the game. Harley Bennell kicked four goals for the Thunder, while Kyle Halligan kicked six for Subi.
Round 12: Peel Thunder 11.8 (74) d Subiaco Lions 10.10 (70) at Domain Stadium
Following an inspection of the turf at Medibank Stadium, the game was moved to Domain Stadium, where Peel mounted a final quarter charge to run over the top of the Lions and win by four points. Matt de Boer had 36 touches for the Thunder, while Dylan Clarke kicked three for Subiaco.
Round 22: Subiaco Lions 13.15 (93) d Peel Thunder 12.4 (76) at Rushton Park
Peel jumped out of the blocks, kicking five goals to one in the opening term before the Lions clawed their way back into the contest, kicking six goals to no score in the final term to win by 17 points. Blair Bell kicked five goals for Peel, while Hamish Shepheard and Liam Ryan kicked four apiece for Subi.
LAST FIVE TIMES
R22, 2016, Subiaco 13.15 (93) d Peel 12.4 (76) at Rushton Park
R12, 2016, Peel 11.8 (74) d Subiaco 10.10 (70) at Domain Stadium
R1, 2016, Subiaco 12.10 (82) d Peel 10.14 (74) at Rushton Park
R15, 2015, Subiaco 15.9 (99) d Peel 6.8 (44) at Medibank Stadium
R8, 2015, Subiaco 16.16 (112) d Peel 7.10 (52) at Rushton Park
Young guns fire Peel into Grand Final
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Peel Thunder
1. The Thunder will want to carry their midfield dominance into this week’s clash, as they look to move the ball quickly through the middle of the ground and stretch Subiaco with quick transition.
2. Jon Griffin and Zac Clarke have been excellent in the ruck for Peel and have given their midfielders first use of the football. Expect this to continue.
3. Connor Blakely had a career-high 42 disposals against South Fremantle, and Subiaco will have to choose between him and the prolific Matt de Boer in who to tag.
Subiaco Lions
1. The Lions will want goal-kickers Liam Ryan and Hamish Shepheard, who have kicked 90 goals between them this season, to stretch the Peel defence.
2. Subiaco had a week off after their 49-point victory over South Fremantle in the second semi-final and will be fresh, so expect their on-ballers to be full of running.
3. The clearance battle will be very tight, with Leigh Kitchin adept at reading the opposition ruck-taps. If Clarke and Griffin get on top for Peel, expect Kitchin to still have an impact around the stoppages.
THE FIVE POINTS
1. Peel have recent winning experience over Subiaco at Domain Stadium, defeating the reigning premiers by four points in round 12, but Subiaco hold a commanding 11-1 all-time record over the Thunder at the ground.
2. Peel average 74 points-per-game against Subiaco in 2016 which is also their season average. Subiaco on the other hand average 81 points-per-game against the Thunder, down on their season average of 90.
3. Subiaco have won seven of the past eight meetings between the sides, none of those victories occurred at Domain Stadium.
4. Subiaco may be looking for their third straight Premiership, but Peel will field a number of players with grand final experience. Shane Yarran was in the Lions team that won the past two WAFL Grand Finals, Sam Collins was in the Box Hill team that lost the 2015 VFL Grand Final, while coach Cam Shepherd was a member of Claremont’s 1987 premiership side.
5. The influence of Fremantle listed players can’t be understated, with Connor Blakely and Matt de Boer proving influential through this finals series, and the likes of Yarran up front and Collins in defence ensuring the Thunder are going to be competitive around the ground.
ALL THE INFO:
Everything you need to know about the game, including tickets and times, is available at the Fremantle Football Club website, the WAFL website, and ticketmaster.