ROUND 19 - LEAGUE REVIEW

Written by: Michael Roberts

Peel Thunder lost their second game in a row with a 16-point loss to Swan Districts at Bassendean Oval on Saturday afternoon in stormy weather.  

Peel held a two-point lead heading into the final term before Swan Districts kicked four goals to one to set up a 11.6 (72) to 8.8 (56) victory.

Peel’s Calvin Thorne said it was disappointing his side dropped away in the last term.

“We played pretty well up until the fourth quarter when they ran over us,” he said.

“We have to get our head down and play four quarters of footy, I think that’s why we lost today”.

A victory would have given the Thunder an eight-point buffer over the fourth-placed Swans but instead they are now equally placed on 40-points for the season.

Rory O’Brien became Peel’s all-time games record holder in his 133^rd game for the club.

The Sandover Medallist racked up 33 disposals but couldn’t do enough to get his side over the line.

In wet and windy conditions, Peel stuck to their game plan early – attempting to move the ball out of their defence with short passes - taking 40 more marks than Swan Districts at half time.

However The Thunder couldn’t transfer their possession superiority into scoring opportunities, largely due to the Swans intense tackling pressure 

Swan Districts took a one-point lead into quarter time after both sides traded blows in a hotly contested start to the game.

Perth’s weekend storm came down in force at the first break – making playing conditions extremely difficult at the start of the second term.

The Thunder kicked two goals to one in the quarter, including an amazing goal from Blair Bell where he scissor-kicked the ball in mid-air.

Peel kicked away early in the third term when Daniel Pearce and Josh Deluca capitalised on the Thunder’s dominance across the ground.

With a clean pair of heels Deluca scored a magnificent running goal to give Peel a game-high 19-point lead five minutes in. 

Just as it looked like Peel would open up a big lead - Swan Districts fought back converting four majors to reduce the margin to two points at the last break.

Turnovers continued to hurt the Thunder as Swan Districts kicked three quick goals to give themselves a 15-point lead midway through the last quarter.  

Peel only kicked one goal in response suffering their seventh loss of the season.

Young gun Aaron Naughton continued to impress in his third league game for Peel, finishing will 11 marks and 22 disposals. 

Peel forward Blair Bell adapted well to the wet weather kicking three goals in his second game back from a five-week suspension.

Next week the Thunder have a bye and will take on Perth on Saturday, August 12th.