FIVE years ago, Peel Thunder produced an unprecedented turnaround from wooden spooners to WAFL Women’s premiers in the space of 12 months. Heavily focused on a youth program that had the likes of Ella Roberts, Courtney Rowley, Jaide Britton, Sarah Verrier, Kate Bartlett and Beth Schilling, the club went from a one-win season in 2019 to winning back-to-back flags over the next two seasons.

While the Thunder are not quite at that level yet and have far less experience than the benchmark teams in Subiaco and Claremont, they are producing an ultra-consistent year after coming off a wooden spoon season last year. Given their lack of AFLW experience compared to other teams, Peel was tipped to be alongside the newest sides in Perth and East Perth down the lower rungs of the ladder.

Technically though that might be the case, their percentage of 79.58 per cent is far superior to those two sides, and the Thunder are coming off good wins against both in Rounds 1 and 7. While losing their other five games, outside of a disappointing 71-point loss to West Perth, the Thunder’s losing margins have been seven, 13, 15 and 24, with a few of those only larger due to some late goals for the opposition to extend the margin.

Coming into the year, the known youth quality was Evie Cowcher. The WAFLW Rising Stars and two-time West Australian MVP is star and readymade intercept defender. She is already a player that has such a standing on the side. It was no surprise that when she went down with back stress fractures and was a late withdrawal against the Falcons, that the team conceded its highest score by far.

The return of Cassie Davidson – to support Cowcher and skipper Ebony Dowson – and Chloe Wrigley through the midfield – who has won the most touches in the competition – has certainly helped keep the side competitive. But two inclusions in particular have added some spark and excitement to the front half of the ground. They are Under 16s All-Australians, Tiama Collard and Charlie Fletcher.

Tiama Collard
Forward | 160cm | 08/04/2009

Collard is an incredibly dangerous forward who has midfield potential in the future as she got her opportunity in there for the West Australian Under 16s side. Having played the Development Championships as a bottom-ager last year, Collard returned as a top-ager and averaged 19.5 disposals, 2.0 marks, 6.0 tackles and 4.0 clearances. At League level and given the Thunder’s strong midfield, Collard plays as that half-forward prospect who can facilitate scores and links up with targets inside 50.

It was no surprise that in addition to Cowcher missing against the Falcons, the fact Collard was shut down by Jess Roper limited the Thunder’s offensive movement. With time and space, the 16-year-old can inflict maximum damage as she did against East Perth when she had 19 disposals, four marks, five inside 50s and kicked two goals from five chances. Impressively, Collard also lays fierce tackles, which enables her to impact defensively without ball in hand.

Though not big at 160cm, Collard has outstanding athletic traits, and that helps the double bottom-ager create space for herself and get out of trouble. She is still developing and has elements to her game she can improve, but has natural talent and outstanding X-factor.

Charlie Fletcher
Wing | 167cm | 04/02/2009

Fletcher might not look like a ferocious tackling machine, but the hard-running explosive wing is just that. She could play inside or outside thanks to her speed and see-ball, get-ball attitude with a hard attack on the ball or ball carrier. At Under 16s level, Fletcher racked up 23 disposals, two marks, three clearances, seven tackles, two inside 50s and three rebound 50s for the Sandgropers, deservedly earning an All-Australian spot on the field.

At 167cm, Fletcher is taller than Collard and has speed that can go up levels in a short space of time. Given her size and running capacity, Fletcher is a player who always seems to impact in one way or another. Her ability to go on multi-bounce runs down the ground were symbolic of Ellie McKenzie as a junior. She can run herself into trouble when it comes to bouncing the ball at full speed, but she can still use the ball well and hit targets going inside 50.

Fletcher has found her feet at WAFLW level across the past month, averaging 15.8 disposals, 4.3 inside 50s and 5.5 tackles for the Thunder but her impact-per-possession is enormous. She provides fantastic run and carry and with further development will be able to grow her game even now.

SUMMARY

Peel Thunder is not in premiership contention at the moment, but their competitiveness could shape the top four. It is easy to draw comparisons between the 2020-21 Thunder side and the current 2025 team with the youth prospects that are coming through. Both Collard and Fletcher are among the better players in their 2027 AFLW Draft class as evidenced by their All-Australian nods. Remember the names over the next couple of seasons.