Ugle joins Peel with aim of WAFL successWednesday, February 11, 2015 - 2:00 PM - by Chris Pike

PEEL Thunder has made a strong statement that it isn’t content with being aligned with Fremantle but wants to make a run for the WAFL finals for the first time with the recruitment of Gerald Ugle and Leroy Jetta giving them two exciting players with points to prove.

Peel entered the WAFL in 1997 and along the way have finished last in the competition in nine of those 18 seasons and have never gone close to ending up in the top four, but there are some exciting signs heading into 2015.

While the Thunder has a partnership with AFL club Fremantle meaning all Dockers players not playing at the top level line up with them in the WAFL, they are taking just as seriously their goals of being successful in the competition itself.

And a big part of that is their exciting Indigenous talent and coming into 2015 that sees former GWS Giants player Ugle and former Essendon forward Jetta joining ex-North Melbourne midfielder Cruize Garlett.

Peel has always had strong Indigenous talent since its inception into the AFL including Sandover Medal winner Alistair Pickett, former Fremantle player Darren Bolton and current North Melbourne AFL veteran Daniel Wells.

Now on top of Jetta, Garlett and Ugle in 2015, the Thunder team will consist of fellow key Indigenous player Eddie Dann who cemented himself as a quality player with good kicking skills in 2014 where he played 17 of his 35 career games while averaging almost 20 disposals.

Garlett played 32 games with the Kangaroos in the AFL and now is entering his third season back in the WAFL with Peel, and after some injury troubles limited him to 13 games in two years, he looks to have added motivation in 2015 with the potential of playing in a strong side.

Ugle joined Peel Thunder from the wooden-spooners last year for Perth looking to get back to enjoying his football again after leaving AFL club GWS at the end of the 2013 season.

The supremely-talented left footer was originally picked up by the Giants as a 17-year-old in 2010 and went on to play three AFL matches before leaving the club at the end of 2013.

He returned to his original WAFL club Perth in 2014 but with the team battling on the field, he struggled for motivation at times even though he still delivered some strong performances averaging over 18 possessions a game and kicking 18 goals.

The 22-year-old has the potential to dominate at WAFL level if properly motivation and there is every indication that he is ready for a big season with the Thunder and coach Cam Shepherd is delighted to have him on board.

"He has been training with us for a couple of weeks and we've been impressed with his work ethic. We're hopeful he will improve our side in 2015," Shepherd said.

"We are looking forward to his career blossoming but we're also expecting leadership from Gerald as well with our young squad.

"He is a half-forward, wingman-type player who will add depth in that area. He is a highly skilled left-footer with a great work ethic so we targeted Gerald and we've been rewarded with his signature."

Jetta was originally drafted from his WAFL club South Fremantle in 2006 and in eight years with Essendon managed to play 93 games and kick 80 goals.

However, he found himself out of favour with the Bombers in 2014 playing just two games and found himself delisted at the end of the season.

He was hoping another club picked him up, but when that didn’t happen he turned his attention to his new career on and off field, and Mandurah proved to be the answer to both questions.

Jetta is now working in the city helping at-risk kids in the Street Net program while now having signed with Peel to play in the WAFL, he is looking forward to the year ahead.

"I just wanted something different really and I thought it was right to come down here. I work here with Street Net down in Mandurah during the day and train at night, and play on the weekend so it all works perfectly," Jetta said.

"With the alignment with Freo as well, I thought it would be a great club to play for because I feel like I can still play at the top level."