Peel senior coach Cam Shepherd is hopeful he can lead a different Peel Thunder team to the same result as last year’s premiership winning side.
The Thunder kick off their finals series in Saturday’s qualifying final against South Fremantle at Fremantle Oval and can name up to 15 Freo listed players in the game.
“It’s a different group, I think there’s only seven or eight that played in last year’s finals series,” Shepherd said.
“With that you have different challenges, but we’ll follow a similar path.”
Despite 19-year-old Brennan Cox and 21-year-old Luke Ryan being rested for Saturday’s clash, Peel are still expected to field a much younger side in this year’s finals series.
This will include the likes of Freo’s first-year players Sean Darcy, Griffin Logue, Taylin Duman and Luke Strnadica
Shepherd said that the side will also include a number of experienced players.
“There’s still Zac Dawson, who’s been outstanding with us, and Jon Griffin, who has been great when he’s played, and Nick Suban’s there,” Shepherd said.
“I think the quality of people we have, they’ll drive the standards along with the Peel boys, so we think we’ve put ourselves in a position, along with a lot of other clubs, to have a crack."
Peel will be without talented midfielder Harley Bennell, who has been rested for the finals series.
Bennell is coming off a successful return to AFL football after more than a year on the sidelines due to multiple calf injuries.
“It's not (an injury) at all. It’s a really good story, Harley’s in a position where he’s finished off the season really well,” Shepherd said.
“Fremantle will put him away and get him ready for a big pre-season and look forward from 2018 onwards.
“It’s a great story for a fellow who’s missed a lot of footy over the past two years, to be in a position to get himself right for a good pre-season.”
Shepherd is pleased to go into the finals in a stronger position than in 2016, where Peel won the premiership from fourth place.
In 2017, Peel earned the second chance by finishing third with a 13-7 record.
“We’ll just go out there each week and give it our best shot and see where it takes us,” Shepherd said.
“We’re really pleased to have won one more game than last year in the home and away season and we look forward to a ripping game this weekend.”
