Round 7 - League match report - Peel v Subiaco

Peel Thunder have gone down by 92 points to Subiaco in the Grand Final rematch at Bendigo Bank Stadium

Peel led at quarter time but trailed for the rest of the match, finishing 7.6 (48) to the Lion’s 21.14 (140).

The Thunder shot out of the blocks with the first three goals of the game, Luke Strnadica kicking two and Stefan Giro slotting one in the first five minutes.

Subiaco responded with two of their own but a goal from Scott Jones late in the first meant Peel led by eight at quarter time.

Peel defender Traye Bennell said the first quarter performance was promising but short-lived.

“I think we started off pretty good in the first quarter, we kept up with them but it just died off in the last three quarters,” he said.

A six goal to one second quarter in favour of Subiaco meant the Lions took a 24-point lead into the half.

Just two goals in the second half meant Subiaco kicked away to extend their winning margin to 92 and maintain their unbeaten record.

Ben Howlett was tough in and around the contest laying 13 tackles to go with 22 disposals.

Bennell said since his return to the club Howlett has played a key role running through the middle.

“He’s a good player to have around the stoppage,” he said.
 
“He’s a good leadership player and all the younger boys learn off him”.

Skipper Gerald Ugle backed up his appearance in the state game last Saturday, kicking one of Peel’s seven goals to go with 13 touches.

Blair Bell played forward in his return from a shoulder injury, gathering 12 possessions as well as four marks and four tackles.

Of the Fremantle listed players Stefan Giro, Luke Strnadica and Ethan Hughes were among the best.

Giro found plenty of the ball in his second game back from a knee injury, racking up 27 touches to be Peel’s leading ball winner.

Strnadica played forward and pinch hit in the ruck, kicking two early goals to go with 18 hit outs.

Hughes worked hard for 22 touches, pressing his case for a return to the Dockers side.

In his second game back from injury Harley Bennell played forward and gathered eight disposals at a high efficiency, also kicking one of Peel’s two goals in the second half.

Traye Bennell said Harley made most of the limited ball playing forward.

“In a game like today it’s not going down into the forward line much, but when he got the ball in his hands he used it well,” he said.

Peel Thunder face East Fremantle at East Fremantle Oval next Saturday May 26 at 2:15pm.

Written by: Jacob O'Reilly

Image: Hannah Salt