WAFL 2024: Peel Thunder drop Fremantle’s Ollie Murphy, Max Knobel for West Coast clash

Fremantle draftee Ollie Murphy will miss out on a rare chance to run out on Optus Stadium for Peel Thunder after being dropped for their clash against West Coast on Saturday.

Murphy, 18, and rookie ruckman Max Knobel have been forced out of the side as the reigning grand finalists welcome back five Dockers-listed players for the curtain-raiser to western derby 58.

Knobel, who had 43 hit-outs in only his third league appearance in the win over East Perth, makes way for the bigger-bodied Liam Reidy as they prepare to battle the young Eagles duo of Coen Livingstone and Harry Barnett.

Mature defender Corey Wagner will play his first game of the season after recovering from a serious calf injury during a pre-season clash, while Karl Worner is back from a serious concussion in a sickening clash against Brisbane in round one.

Big forward Patrick Voss has recovered from a calf injury that has sidelined him for the past fortnight, while draftee Cooper Simpson returns from illness giving the Thunder 11 Fremantle-listed players.

It has forced Knobel, Murphy and forward Ben Middleton out of the side, while Sam Sturt has been called into the AFL side.

Peel have also held off recalling veteran forward Blair Bell, who has played only one game in the reserves this season. The dual premiership star has been named as an emergency.

West Coast have shuffled their team with Archer Reid to play his first game in Eagles’ colours after a knee injury hampered the start to his AFL career.

Coby Burgiel is also back after appendix surgery, while Harry Edwards returns from suspension and Loch Rawlinson comes in having been an AFL emergency last weekend.

Luke Yeo, the cousin of premiership star Elliot, will make his debut, with Dom Sheed out of the side after earning an AFL recall.

Andrew Gaff, Harvey Johnston and Jamaine Jones are also named as outs for the WAFL side but could come in if they’re not needed as emergencies for the derby.

If the trio play it will give the Eagles 15 AFL-listed players in the side.

Once again premiership forward Liam Ryan has been named in defence, having collected 19 disposals in his first outing for the season last weekend as a rebounding backman.

West Coast have not beaten Peel Thunder since round 13, 2019, with last year’s grand finalists beating them in their past six encounters including by 89 and 98 points last season.

It will be the first clash between the two sides at Optus Stadium since round 2, 2019 when Jake Waterman booted five goals in a 27-point win for the Eagles in front of 5850 fans.