THUNDER FIGHT RIGHT TO THE END - BY RHIANNON HOLMES

Thunder fight right to the end.
Written by: Rhiannon Holmes

A fast finishing Swan Districts have defeated Peel Thunder by 14-points after a highly contested game at Steel Blue Oval on Saturday.

Scores were level early in the fourth term before the Swans kicked two goals in the final ten minutes; finishing 15.12 (102) to 13.10 (88).

Peel’s Benjamin Hancock said the Thunder tried to hold off a strong Swans but couldn’t get the job done.

“Swans are a strong side, it’s obviously always disappointing to lose but the boys really fought it out,” he said.

“I think we only ended up with 17 on the field in the last five minutes, same as last week, we fought it out but disappointing not to get the win.”

Despite Peel kicking two majors in the first quarter, a dominant Swan Districts led the first term with four goals under their belt.

The Thunder fought back in the second term, lifting their intensity and converting four goals through Leroy Jetta, Gerald Ugle and Blair Bell to close the gap to six points.

Following half time, Peel kicked four goals to Swan Districts’ two surging into three-quarter-time with a seven-point lead.

Hancock said Coach Cam Sheppard encouraged the Thunder to finish the game strong.

“We were a couple of players down at the halfway mark and then a couple more down going into the last; so for the boys to fight it out Shep was really proud of that,” he said.

“I think we’ll hold our heads high and look forward to next week.”
The Thunder’s scored three majors in the final term as their defensive structure struggled to keep Swan Districts at bay, conceding six goals.

Leroy Jetta was a strong force throughout the game, racking up two goals and three behinds.

Hancock said Jetta was missed from last weeks game.

“It’s good to have Leroy back and he’s come back with a bang,” he said.

“It’s always good to have him in the forward kicking goals.”

Lloyd Meek commanded his space on the field with 18 disposals and 23 hit outs while contributing a goal to the Thunder’s final score.

Hancock said Meek was a good target to have down the line.

“Lloyd is just a big target and he’s useful in the ruck as well” he said.

Hancock said Peel will work on getting off to a quick start in next week’s game.

“The last two weeks we’ve been slow out the box, we don’t really want to chase the score all day, we want to get in front and hold it from there” he said

Peel Thunder will host the Perth Demons at Bendigo Bank Stadium, Sunday the 15th of April with bounce down at 2.15pm.