MATCH REPORT: PEEL THUNDER VS EAST FREMANTLE ROUND 2

Peel Match Report Round 2

 

 

Peel Thunder continued their Premiership form with their second win of the season against East Fremantle at Bendigo Bank Stadium.

 

The Thunder held a convincing lead at every break ending the game in an 86-point victory.

 

Fremantle recruit Harley Balic was a standout for the side with 33 possessions while fellow teammate Matt Taberner proved vital, kicking 5 goals.

 

Leroy Jetta matched Taberner’s efforts with another 5 goals for the Thunder adding to the final scoreboard of 19.12 (126) to 5.10 (40).

 

Fremantle Dockers defender Sam Collins highlighted Taberner’s dominance in the game.

 

“I thought he had a really great game,” he said.

 

“Obviously he’s pretty disappointed to not be playing round 1 tomorrow but he came in with a really great attitude and was a really big target for us.”

 

Peel proved dominate in the first quarter with the majority of the time spent in their half.

 

Joshua Mathers, who celebrated his 50th game this week, commended his team’s defensive efforts.

 

“We just focused on trying to win every quarter and keep the foot on the throat and not letting them back into the game,” he said.

 

Brady Grey kicked off the game with a goal for Peel and some quick footwork from Rory O’Brien saw Peel off to a dominant start.

 

Tensions rose towards the end of the first with the game becoming physical as East Fremantle kicked goals from Brett Peake and Matthew Watson.

 

The pace dropped off slightly in the second quarter with only 2 goals to the Thunder.

 

Jetta stepped up in the third quarter kicking 3 for Peel who headed into the final quarter with sights set on a win.

 

Coach Cam Shepherd warned his players of being over confident at the three quarter time break telling the Thunder to “step it up” and “don’t slack off”.

 

Peel responded to Shepherds orders, who amped up the pressure in the defensive line.

 

Peel started off the final term with 3 goals; 1 to Harley Balic and 2 for Matt Taberner.

 

East Perth struggled to respond to the Thunders accurate kicking, scoring 2 straight points.

 

The Sharks finally made the most of their scoring opportunities with a late goal from Cameron Symonds in the last 5 minutes of the game.

 

The win sees Peel going into round 3 undefeated but Mathers said this doesn’t guarantee success moving forward.

 

“We feel pretty good but we can’t get ahead of ourselves,” he said.

 

“It’s only early in the season and we have a lot of rounds left to go.”

 

Collin’s echoed Mathers’ remarks.

 

“I think we know there’s a lot of great teams playing good football and it’s only round 3 next week so we’ve still got our level heads,” he said.

 

“We built on our performance last week which was a focus going in.

 

“I think it’s going to be a good game next weekend against South Freo.”

 

Peel Thunder take on South Fremantle next week back at Bendigo Bank Stadium.