Bulldogs overcome the Thunder

Peel Thunder have been defeated by the South Fremantle Bulldogs at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Saturday leaving them seventh on the WAFL ladder.

The Thunder’s six goal blitz in the final term wasn’t enough to secure a win with the final score as 16.11 (107) to 10.12 (72).

Peel defender Bradley McGowan said the Bulldogs were always going to be a challenge.

“They rebound really quickly and are in one way and out the other… They’re a real fast team to score,” he said.

The Thunder had a lack-lustre first term and were not able to convert a goal, trailing by 27-points at quarter time.

McGowan said a lack of momentum characterised their first term.

“We didn’t play four quarters of footy, we didn’t capitalise on goal kicking at the start,” he said.

“There was no big momentum or swing, we needed that.”

Peel matched the Bulldogs for goals and points during the second term but missed opportunities to hit the scoreboard through inaccuracy.

Captain Gerald Ugle’s first goal for the team wasn’t enough to keep the Thunder from falling behind 27 points going into the half.

McGowan said Ugle was crucial in the forward line.

“He’s very good up forward, he always is, he has great pressure and is a great leader too,” he said.

The third term saw the Bulldogs push away from the Thunder with the home side scoring five goals, leading at three quarter time by 44-points.

McGowan said Cam Shepherd’s words encouraged the team to fight back in the second half.

“[Cam] said we need to come out strong and we need to prove a point because the game is on the line and so is the season,” he said.

The fourth term saw Peel make a strong stand against the Bulldogs with six individual goal scorers to reduce the margin but it wasn’t enough to claim a victory against South Fremantle.

McGowan said Ben Howlett, who finished with 21 disposals and a goal, was a key player.

“He’s a great leader, he always gets around the young boys and teaches them the right thing to do,” he said.

“He always has his head over the ball, he’s a bull.”

Sean Darcy was crucial in the ruck in his return from injury with 41 hit outs.

McGowan said Darcy was an important inclusion around the ground.

“He’s the big target up forward and he’s a great tack ruckman… Sean taps the ball well to midfielders and gives them first use,” he said.

With a bye next week McGowan said the team will need to recover.

“We’ll be trying to get our bodies right… There is a few sore boys and we’ll do all the basics and do all the right things to get ourselves ready for next week,” he said.

Peel Thunder face fourth-placed Swan Districts at Bendigo Bank Stadium on Saturday, June 30 with bouncedown at 2.15pm.

Round 13 is the McDonalds Family Day courtesy of McDonalds Mandurah, Lakelands and Greenfields

FREE ENTRY for everyone!!!

Written by: Rhiannon Holmes