Match Report: Peel Thunder Vs East Fremantle – 26 March 2016

Peel Thunder recruit Rory O’Brien had the last laugh when his new side overcame his old side at Bendigo Bank Stadium on Saturday.

Playing against many of his former East Fremantle team mates, including brother Brock, O’Brien amassed 25 disposals and kicked one goal in the Thunder’s thrilling 11.7 (73) to 9.16 (70) victory.

It was Peel’s first of the season and came after the home side had trailed with just a few minutes remaining.

O’Brien said he was confident he would perform well against his former team.

“There’s always a bit of pressure playing against the old team, especially with my brother in the side, but obviously I’ve played a couple of years now, being able to work with the pressure,” he said.

“It was tough at times [playing against Brock] – we were a little different, we didn’t know what to do. But I reckon he looked after me a couple of times.”

The Thunder was reduced to 21 men when small defender Corey Morris dislocated his shoulder in the first quarter, but worked hard to stick with the Sharks in a game that saw the lead change hands on nine occasions.

The four points were sealed in the dying minutes when 200cm swingman Alex Pearce snapped two vital goals.  

O’Brien said the team had rallied in the wake of last week’s narrow loss to Subiaco.

“We had a big focus on coming together as a team. Last week we felt there was a few of us who went away from our structures,” O’Brien said.

Among Peel’s best on Saturday was defender Josh Bootsma, whose kicking set up several attacks from inside Peel’s defensive 50m zone, while fellow defender Sam Collins kept former Carlton forward Matthew Watson goalless.

Fremantle midfielders Matt De Boer and Ed Langdon worked tirelessly through the midfield, each finishing with more than 30 possessions. Ethan Hughes (23 disposals) and Darcy Tucker (22 disposals) also impressed.

Defender-turned-forward Tanner Smith kicked four goals for the Thunder.

For East Fremantle, Cam Eardley racked up 29 possessions, while half-forward Brett Peake kicked five goals.

The Thunder faces Swan Districts next Saturday at Steel Blue Oval.

GOALS
Peel: Smith 4, Ugle 2, Pearce 2, R. O’Brien, Uebergang, Bootsma.
South Fremantle: Peake 5, Simpson 2, J. Bristow, Chrichton.