Thunder chase quick improvement after tough start

Purtell is back in the side after missing last week's 62-12 loss to Southcity with a hamstring issue.

Injuries haven't been kind to the Thunder so far with front rower Brad Hill requiring hand surgery after their 54-10 loss to Young in round one.

However Purtell hopes having a few troops back can help the side respond.

"It's been pretty tough but we've played two pretty good footy sides in this competition," Purtell said.

"There is no doubt we need to improve. No one wants to be on the end of such a big score but it is a learning process and we're grateful we are back playing footy."

Reece Clegg is also expected to return however there are doubts over Harry Reicher (back) who has been named to join Purtell in the halves.

While stiffening up their defence is the main priority Purtell is also hoping to get more out of their attacking chances.

"We're completing at the moment but we're not getting any value out of those sets," he said.

"We need to gain better field position through our kicking game, which helps us build some pressure, but at the moment teams are getting out of their end too easily so then we are defending good-ball sets and at the moment once they score one they are putting two or three together."

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