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THE WAFL Grand Final is set to feature two exciting mature-age draft prospects in Peel Thunder forward Blair Bell and Subiaco livewire Liam Ryan.
Peel has made history by reaching Sunday's Grand Final at Domain Stadium for the first time in the club's existence.
Much of the attention on the match has surrounded Peel's alignment with AFL club Fremantle, with 18 Dockers-listed players named in Peel's 26-man squad after 17 played in the preliminary final win over South Fremantle.
But a couple of Peel's non-AFL listed players will attract attention this week.
Bell, a 23-year-old small forward, has won plenty of admirers within the Dockers' camp with his performances this season and is a chance to be drafted as a mature age recruit.
He's kicked 23 goals in 18 games, including a bag of five in round 22 and six goals across the three finals thus far.
Bell made his WAFL debut in 2013 for Peel, but played just one game before leaving to play amateur football for South Mandurah in the Peel Football League, winning the competition's best and fairest award and a premiership in 2015.
Peel coach Cam Shepherd said the club had found a gem.
"He's been a revelation this year," Shepherd said.
"He's a wonderful person and a good footballer.
"I think we expect what he's been able to show all year and that's just really good, strong effort.
"I just want him to have a good game and have a good time of it, and perhaps then he has an opportunity at a higher level."
Peel captain Gerald Ugle said Bell had really stepped up in the absence of former Essendon player Leroy Jetta, who has been unable to play due to the 12-month WADA suspension.
"He has been awesome this year," Ugle said.
"We lost Leroy and to have him slip into the forward line and just have such an impact has been awesome.
Former Carlton player Josh Bootsma will also play for Peel and Ugle said the 23-year-old was playing well enough to warrant another opportunity at AFL level.
"He's been magnificent this year and hopefully he gets another crack at it," Ugle said.
The Blues sacked Bootsma in 2014 after a string of off-field issues. He played 14 AFL games in three seasons after he was drafted with pick No.22 in the 2011 NAB AFL draft.
Josh Bootsma's form may be good enough for a second chance at the elite level. Picture: AFL Photos
Subiaco is gunning for a third straight WAFL premiership and the Lions have another exciting prospect in their midst.
Ryan, 19, has caught plenty of attention in recent weeks after kicking four goals in each of his last three matches, including a dominant performance in the semi-final.
He's kicked 39 goals in 15 games in his first WAFL season.
Ryan started the year in the reserves after previously playing in Geraldton, and although standing only 184cm tall, he has taken some spectacular marks this season.
Subiaco coach Jarrad Schofield said Ryan thrives on the big stage.
"He's a pretty composed young man for 19, nothing seems to phase him," Schofield said.
"What's he's shown this year is that he steps up on the big stage, against the (AFL aligned) sides he has been able to step up against good players.
"We're expecting him to do that again. He's going to get stiff competition from his opponent. Previously he's had Bootsma, so whether they go there again he knows he's going to have to play good footy.
"He's definitely got the tools to go to the next level. Whether he's ready next year or in maybe two years time, only time will tell, but hopefully he performs well on the weekend."
Ryan has been nominated for the WA draft combine next month.
Subiaco has an excellent recent history of producing mature age AFL recruits. Sam Menegola played in Subiaco's 2015 premiership and was drafted to Geelong.
Shane Yarran has played in the Lions' last two premierships and was drafted to Fremantle. Yarran will ironically line up for Peel on Sunday against his old side.
