WAFL: Peel Thunder Ready to Face Claremont with Voss Returning
WAFL Semifinal: Peel Thunder vs Claremont
Peel Thunder are set to be boosted by the return of Fremantle forward Pat Voss for their must-win first semifinal against Claremont in Mandurah on Sunday. The powerhouse Dockers forward missed the qualifying final loss to Swan Districts because of a calf injury, but Thunder coach Adam Read told The West Australian that Voss had trained strongly and would be available for selection.
Voss is likely to come in for defender Karl Worner, who has been ruled out of the clash against the Tigers with a calf injury. Peel can only name a maximum of 12 Dockers in a final under WAFL rules now Fremantle’s season is over, but the loss of Worner means they won’t have to drop another Docker if they choose to play Voss.
The 21-year-old former Essendon-listed forward has not played for the Thunder since kicking one goal from 13 touches against the Tigers in round 18, having played for Fremantle in their final three games of the season. Voss has been vital for Peel this year, booting 23 goals in eight games including a haul of six against West Coast’s WAFL side in round 14.
“He (Voss) is available. He got through training and is good to go,” Read said. “Karl Worner will miss ... he’s got a little calf (injury) so he will be unavailable this week.”
The Thunder must beat Claremont to keep their finals hopes alive with the winner to play in the preliminary final the following week. Read said the prospect of a straight-sets exit added no pressure to the final for the Thunder despite being on top of the table for 13 rounds this year.
“There’s no more pressure than any finals game and really any game,” he said. “We stick to our process. It’s the old coaching cliché, but you try not to be driven by outcome and we’ve had a solid week just sticking to what we’ve done all year.
“We’ll get our plan and our team sorted and if we execute we will be able to walk away pretty comfortable and if we don’t, so be it that’s the way it will fall.”
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.