PEEL Thunder will kick off its 2016 campaign against last years’ premiership winners Subiaco at home on March 19.
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After a record-breaking 2015 which saw Peel play finals for the first time in the club’s history, Subiaco will present the Mandurah club with a good opportunity to see where they stand early in the season.
A positive for the Thunder is that they will play three of their first four games at home before having a bye to regroup.
However it appears finishing third last year has resulted in a tougher overall draw for Peel with 11 of its 20 games against the four other 2015 finalists including three games against Subiaco and East Perth.
Supporters have to wait until round 10 for Peel’s first televised game against East Perth at 11.40am on May 21 at Bendigo Bank Stadium.
The club’s only other currently scheduled televised game is at 2.10pm on June 19 against South Fremantle.
The season will feature 23 rounds in total, with 18 games and the finals series to be covered live on the Seven Network.
For the second consecutive year the top five will make finals after it proved to be a success in the 2015 season.
The system made a return for the first time since 1994 after being voted upon by all WAFL clubs in 2015.
The grand final will be held on September 25.
Another season highlight will be the Western Australia versus Tasmania state game on June 11.
WAFL general manager Steve Hargrave said the 2016 fixturing process had endeavoured to achieve greater equalisation, a home and away flow for each WAFL club wherever possible, maximise attendance and focus on the key rounds.
“All necessary steps were taken during the fixturing process to ensure as many club requests as possible were met and exciting clashes scheduled for the featured rounds,” Hargrave said.
“The 2016 WAFL season enters into a second year of partnership with major broadcast and naming rights sponsor McDonald’s and the Seven Network to ensure WAFL games continue to be broadcast on free to air TV across the state.
“On average 31,836 people tuned into each WAFL game broadcast on the Seven Network this season, a 55per cent increase on last year,” Hargrave said.
THUNDER FIXTURE
ROUND 1
Peel Thunder v Subiaco, 2.15pm, March 19, Bendigo Bank Stadium
ROUND 2
Peel Thunder v East Fremantle, 2.15pm, March 26, Bendigo Bank Stadium
ROUND 3
Swan Districts v Peel Thunder, 2.15pm, April 2, Steel Blue Oval
ROUND 4
Peel Thunder v East Perth, 2.15pm, April 9, Bendigo Bank Stadium
ROUND 5
BYE: Peel Thunder
ROUND 6
Claremont v Peel Thunder, 2.15pm, April 23, Showgrounds
ROUND 7
Peel Thunder v Perth, 2.15pm, April 30, Bendigo Bank Stadium
ROUND 8
West Perth v Peel Thunder 2.15pm, May 7, HBF Arena
ROUND 9
South Fremantle v Peel Thunder, 2.15pm, May 14, Fremantle Oval
ROUND 10
Peel Thunder v East Perth, 11.40am, may 21, Bendigo Bank Stadium
ROUND 11
East Fremantle v Peel Thunder, 2.15pm, May 28, ATOM Stadium
ROUND 12
Subiaco v Peel Thunder, 2.15pm, June 4, Medibank Stadium
STATE GAME
Western Australia v Tasmania, 2.15pm, June 11, Steel Blue Oval
ROUND 13
Sunday 19 June 2.10pm
Peel Thunder v South Fremantle, 2.15pm, June 19, Bendigo Bank Stadium
ROUND 14
Peel Thunder v Swan Districts, 2.15pm, June 25, Bendigo Bank Stadium
ROUND 15
BYE: Peel Thunder
ROUND 16 (NAIDOC)
Peel Thunder v West Perth, 2.15pm, July 9, Bendigo Bank Stadium
ROUND 17
East Fremantle v Peel Thunder, 2.15pm, July 16, ATOM Stadium
ROUND 18
Perth v Peel Thunder, 2.15pm, July 23, Lathlain Park
ROUND 19
Peel Thunder v Claremont, 2.15pm, July 30, Bendigo Bank Stadium
ROUND 20
East Perth v Peel Thunder, 2.15pm, August 6, Medibank Stadium
ROUND 21
BYE: Peel Thunder
ROUND 22
Peel Thunder v Subiaco, 2.15pm, August 20, Bendigo Bank Stadium
ROUND 23
Claremont v Peel Thunder, TBC, August 27, Showgrounds
FINALS
