PEEL THUNDER 2017 WAFL PREMIERS

Written by:  Kathleen McAdam

Peel Thunder have won the 2017 WAFL Premiership, defeating Subiaco by 16 points at Domain Stadium for their second consecutive flag .

Despite the heavy rain earlier in the day, 18,180 supporters turned out to see the two teams collide, the largest crowd for the WAFL Grand Final since 2013.

Peel finished the game at 11.6 (72) to 7.14 (56).

Peel started the game off fast, with Zac Dawson securing their first goal just minutes into the first quarter.

The Thunder would kick two more in the quarter alongside two Subiaco majors to take a five-point lead into quarter time.

Gerald Ugle kicked the second goal of the first term, finishing the game with one goal and 12 disposals.  

The second term was tight for both teams, with both sides kicking two goals of their own with inaccuracy hurting the Lions who kicked five behinds.

Subiaco took the lead for the first time in the match during the third quarter but their capability to kick straight hurt them as Josh Deluca and Matt Taberner kicked two goals for Peel late into the quarter leaving the Lions with only a three point lead.

Peel finished the game off strong kicking four goals to Subiaco’s one thanks to two consecutive goals from Leroy Jetta.

The Lions couldn't find a way through Peel’s defence with 15 minutes left on the clock as Tommy Sheridan finished a goal for Peel from the boundary before Griffin Logue secured the winning goal on the siren.

Traye Benell and Rory O’Brien were both stands outs with 20 disposals each.

“This one was probably a bit sweeter than the last one. The first one was fantastic but the second one everyone’s written us off and the boys really came together,” O’Brien said.

Blair Bell finished the game with nine disposals.

“I’m over the moon,” Bell said.

“As a team we were challenged, Subiaco played a good game of footy, they put it to us but we responded well.”

Blair said based off the season and the close scoring games with Subiaco, he knew they would be hard to beat in the Grand Final.

“We knew it was always going to be tough beating Subiaco being the outfit that they are, all games we have had with them have been pretty close, credit to our boys to come down strong in the end,” he said.

Coach Cam Shepherd said he was proud of the continuous effort of his team to win two consecutive Grand Finals.

“Grand Finals are hard to get into. We worked really hard. I’m really proud of the 50 players that played for Peel Thunder this year and it shows that we’re really one unit,” he said.