Going into the last game of the WAFL home and away season, rookie defender Taylin Duman is looking to benefit from the experience of Peel playing in the 2017 WAFL finals series.
Sitting on 48 points, Peel Thunder have secured a second chance in the finals series holding third place on the WAFL ladder.
“I’m really excited to get out there with the boys,” Duman said.
“The intensity and the skill level really rises when finals come around.
“Finishing third helps because we get that second chance and the boys are really confident in the way we’re going.”
The 19 year-old played his first game of WAFL in round one, in a 17-point win over East Perth, racking up 19 disposals and 12 kicks.
Duman said the strong start to the season has helped Peel’s success.
“It’s really good to start off well,” Duman said.
“Half way through the year we hit a bit of a slump but in the past four weeks we’ve hit our form.
“Hopefully, we can continue that coming into the finals.”
In his 13 appearances for Peel in 2017, the 19-year-old has averaged 16.8 disposals, 12.7 kicks and 5.4 handballs a game.
The Oakleigh Chargers product sees the coming pre-season as an opportunity to secure his first game of AFL for Fremantle.
Duman, who arrived at Fremantle weighing 73kg, feels that he has grown under the guidance of Fremantle’s coaching staff.
“I need to continue to develop my body in the gym because I’m still a bit undersized, so hopefully, I can put on a few kilos coming into the start of next year,” Duman said.
“My biggest support at the club has been my development coach Roger Hayden.
“Spending one-on-one time with him really helps me grow on the field.”
Hayden played 128 games for Fremantle between 2002 and 2011.
Fremantle Senior coach Ross Lyon backed the rookie saying he is showing enough at Peel.
“It’s good to hear that from a senior coach,” Duman said.
“Hopefully, in the next few years I can start to become a solid player in the WAFL and AFL.”
Peel Thunder take on second place South Fremantle at Rushton Park on Saturday.
