WAFL: Round Seven Match Preview vs Peel Thunder

The Lions will be aiming to get back on the winners list when they take on Peel Thunder at Leederville Oval on Saturday June 4.

It’s the first home game at Leederville since round three, and Subiaco will be hoping to bounce back from round six with a win.

The sixth-placed Thunder featuring a rare WAFL appearance from two-time Brownlow Medallist Nat Fyfe will be a tough challenge, as the Lions look to move up the ladder.

FORM

Subiaco hit a speed bump in the form of East Fremantle last week, falling by 44 points, after back-to-back wins in the rounds prior.

The Lions fought strongly to win in rounds four and five, and were competitive last week but were unable to match it with the Sharks over four quarters.

It’s a precarious point of the season, with clashes against Peel, Perth, and West Coast an opportunity for Subiaco to build momentum towards the second half of the year.

Peel have also had a mixed start to the year, but had an impressive win over Claremont to show their credentials as an imposing side.

It will be a test for the Lions, and will be an exciting Saturday afternoon clash.

LAST TIME THEY MET

Subiaco narrowly avoided what would’ve been an upset loss to the Thunder in round 22 last season, winning by four points at Lane Group Stadium.

First-placed Subiaco were looking to seal top spot against a Peel, leading by 52-points at one stage.

However, the Thunder had other ideas, clawing the margin back to three points in the last term.

It was a tense last quarter, but the Lions held their nerve to get the win, and finished top of the ladder to set up their 2021 Finals campaign.

Skipper Leigh Kitchin was a key cog for Subiaco on the day, while Wil and Liam Hickmott enhanced their reputations with 27 and 20 disposals respectively.

ONE TO WATCH

Ben Sokol has been as consistent as ever in his seventh year as a Lion.

The key forward has kicked 17 goals from six games, and leads the race for the Bernie Naylor Medal for most goals in the WAFL this season.

His contested marking has also been a feature of his game, where he continues to stand tall in the contest.

Subiaco will be looking for Sokol to have a big impact this week against the Thunder.