THE premiership-winning captain of Peel Thunder, Gerald Ugle, is looking forward to playing his 100th game on home soil.
The Lakelands father said the game on June 30 would be important to him and the Thunder.
“It’s a big game – we were sitting similar last year in this round, so we need to win these games now,” he said.
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READ NOW“We are evenly battling against opposition so if we can get a few wins now, who knows what could happen at the end of competition because it’s pretty even at the moment. “It would be good to string a few wins together before finals.”
Ugle said captaining two premierships in 2016 and 2017 were highlights in his career.
“It’s been an honour and learning curve for me at Peel for the last four years but I love it and hopefully I can continue on after this 100th game,” he said.
“Having Ben Howlett come back this year, he’s brought a wealth of knowledge.
“I’m learning off the senior players that come in as well and the way they conduct themselves and how they play.”
Beverley product Ugle was drafted with the AFL’s Greater Western Sydney Giants for a year-long stint in 2012.
Ugle has played 99 games with of WAFL – a few games in Perth but four years with the Thunder.
“I’ve settled down this way in Mandurah now,” he said.
“It will be our fourth year in Mandurah now, living close to the beach and it’s a good country town.”
Five seasons in and Ugle said he felt “blessed” he hadn’t experienced serious injuries throughout the seasons.
“I try to look after my body as best as I can, as football is a priority and I love playing it and getting up.”
When he isn’t kicking a footy, Ugle would works as a full-time mentor at the Wirrapanda Foundation in Kwinana.
“I work with the juvenile justice system twice a week and with the health and leadership programs run by Troy Cook, and deliver these programs within schools,” he said.
“I also run girls’ football at Gilmore College.”
FAMILY FUN DAY
THERE is free entry to the McDonalds Mandurah Family Day when Peel Thunder take on Swan Districts on Saturday, June 30, at Bendigo Bank Stadium. Children can enjoy a bouncy castle, a little league game and Monster Energy tasting. The colts start at 9am, the reserves 11.30am and the league game is at 2.15pm.