Round 9 Preview - Peel Thunder v Swan DistrictsFriday, May 12, 2017 - 1:32 PM - by Chris Pike

WITH Peel Thunder again looking to build some momentum this season and Swan Districts out to bounce back, all signs are pointing towards a terrific contest at Bendigo Bank Stadium on Saturday.

The reigning premiers Peel returned to the winner's list last week beating Claremont by 23 points following a four-game losing run.

Swan Districts, meanwhile, has now lost two of its previous three games after winning the first four of the 2017 season.

That sets up a tantalising contest at Bendigo Bank Stadium on Saturday with the Thunder trying to win a second straight to gather some momentum and Swans looking to bounce back after their loss to Subiaco.

Coming off last year's premiership, Peel did win its opening two games of 2017 to be on a club record seven-game winning streak.

However, the Thunder then lost their next four matches at the hands of South Fremantle, Subiaco, West Perth and East Perth prior to bouncing back last week and beating Claremont by 23 points at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

That improves Peel to a 3-4 record on the season to be in fifth position and they could potentially move a game clear in that position with a win on Saturday. Alternatively with a loss, the Thunder could slip to as low as seventh if both East Perth and Claremont manage to win.

Coming off winning just two games all of last year, Swans started off 2017 on fire with wins over Perth, South Fremantle, East Perth and East Fremantle before a first loss of the season at the hands of West Perth.

The black-and-whites bounced back to beat Claremont before going down to Subiaco by 64 points at Steel Blue Oval last Saturday.

Swans remain in third position at 5-2 but they could fall to fourth with a loss on Saturday and then be just a game ahead of Peel on the ladder as well.

It is the first meeting of the season between the two teams but going back to 2016, while Swan Districts won just two games one of them did happen to be against Peel. Swans beat them by 39 points in Round 14 also in Mandurah after Peel won by 52 points back in Round 3 at Steel Blue Oval.

While the two teams sit inside the top five, they have struggled to score big totals throughout 2017 with Swans averaging just 79.3 points a game and Peel 69.0. That has them ranked sixth and seventh in the league respectively.

Peel's defence is the third best in the league conceding just 69.0 points a game as well while Swan Districts is giving up 76 points.

Peel's selection will largely be dependent on what happens with Fremantle but the Dockers look set to make just the one change for its clash with Richmond at the MCG on Sunday with Danyle Pearce replacing an unwell Harley Balic.

Griffin Logue, Tom Sheridan and Nick Suban have all been included in Fremantle's extended squad as well. But at least two of that trio should still play for the Thunder on Saturday depending on who travelled with the Dockers as emergencies.

Experienced defender Zac Dawson will return for Peel after missing last week's win over Claremont with dual premiership player Josh Deluca set to play his first game of the season.

Luke Strnadica should also return for Peel with Calvin Thorne, Josh Mathers, Josh McMahon and Michael Humble all added to the Thunder's extended squad for Saturday's clash.

Swan Districts will again be without Ryan Crowley due to a knee injury while fellow veterans Tallan Ames and Xavier Ellis will need to prove their fitness before taking the field on Saturday against Peel in Mandurah.

Todd Banfield looks set to be right to return after being in terrific form prior to missing last week's loss to Subiaco.

Jackson Slater was impressive in the reserves last week with 25 possessions and three goals to put himself in contention for a call up while Levi Ridley is also in good form coming off 25 disposals, five tackles and a goal in the reserves last week for the black-and-whites.

PEEL THUNDER (3-4, 5th) v SWAN DISTRICTS (5-2, 3rd) – BENDIGO BANK STADIUM, SATURDAY 1.40PM

Selected teams, live stats 
Broadcast – 7mate