Weekend Footy Wrap

WAFL 

Peel Thunder 13.10 (88) defeated EF 9.8 (62)

Having lost our previous three games by about a goal our players were determined to get a favourable result. We had a very good backline and knew that we would need to match it with East Fremantle in the midfield and then give our forwards good opportunity to kick a score.

The first half typified the attitude of all players and resulted in us taking in a six-goal lead at half time.

Quick goals after half time extended the lead before we lost a bit of momentum and EF gained some ground by having Harry Taylor one out against Taylin Duman. Taylin had provided excellent rebound especially in the first half to be one of our better players for the half.

In the end our wasteful turnovers around our half forward line let EF rebound and score some goals in the second half however we still controlled most of the game and came out 26-points victors. A great result at Shark Park.

We were really pleased with efforts of some young players namely:

• Sandy Brock in the ruck against Luke Strnadica 
• Jackson Knight in his second game at half forward
• James Sturrock continuing to develop 
• Hayden Young played really well in his debut for Peel

The midfield of Thorne,Valente,Hancock,Randall,Western and Merrett were very good.

The backline as a whole held firm.

Our forward line although not tall had plenty of fight.

A good weekend for the club!

RESERVES

Peel Thunder Senior Development 11.9 (75) Defeated 8.9 (57)

The Peel Thunder senior development side capitalised on what has been an encouraging five-week period to record our first win of the season. 

Jaxon Egan opened the scoring for the game converting from a free kick deep inside Peels attacking 50 and despite the Sharks leading at quarter time, the Thunder rallied and kicked 6.3 to 1.1 in the second quarter to hold a strong lead at the main break.

Our forward line continues to work extremely hard to convert every opportunity and goals from Ryan Bennell three-goals, Luen Colton three-goals, Riley Vidovich and Jaxon Egan two-goals each; rewarded the work of our defenders and mids up the ground. We would like to acknowledge the debuts of Owen Davidson (Rockingham Rams) and Kyle Penny (Mandurah Mustangs) and of course welcoming Fremantle Docker Stephen Hill to his return to football in his first game for Peel. 

Tyler Nesbitt continues his strong return to WAFL football in defence and our continued consistent engine room lead by Jake Howes 15-disposals, 11-contested, Jack Walsh 15-disposal, five-tackles and Johnathon Ietto 22-disposals six-inside 50s, gave great opportunity to Rob Schindler-Taylor 11-disposal two-goals and Bodie Kitchingman 27-disposals on the wings to penetrate the game and provide us with great drive and territory. 

We look forward to getting back home to our fantastic supporters and continuing the momentum the club as whole has currently into a really strong opponent in the Claremont Tigers. 

COLTS 

Winter weather was in full swing in the lead up to the Thunder’s clash against East Fremantle, but both sides were spared the brunt of the harsh weather to go head-to-head in a clash where Peel were looking for their third win and the Sharks their third in a row.

The match began with the Sharks quick out of the gate, but the Thunder steadied with some nice counterattack football to stem the six scoring shots from East Fremantle in term one. This inaccuracy would prove to be a theme for them throughout the day. Despite this the Sharks held a two-point quarter time lead.

Term two saw a barrage of shots from East Fremantle, but with limited reward kicking 2.6 for the quarter. Peel kept themselves in the contest by ticking the scoreboard over with 1.3 and an eleven-point deficit at the main break.

The second half saw Peel increase their confidence with their ball movement matching East Fremantle and the subsequent reward came with the side reeling in the Sharks to only be behind by seven points at the final change. With some confidence that the game could be stolen, Peel pressed relentlessly and kicked four goals for the quarter with the sealer coming from a Byron Finch set shot with a minute remaining. Behind for the whole match, the pressure and perseverance paid off with the Thunder snatching a four-point victory.

With effort playing a large role in getting the four points these were some of the players that changed the game for the Thunder:

1. Byron Finch – led the way when it came to effort, attacking each contest with ferocious intent. A run with role for him not only got him to the ball more often but also made life more difficult for Sharks on baller Joshua Browne. Kicking the winning goal only seemed fitting for the young man to cap off a solid game.
2. Clay Hall – the first gamer made his impact from the start, finding the football and an appetite for the contest. Looked comfortable at Colts level and did neat things on a regular basis for the Thunder. Looks a real player with more experience at this level and his 13-possession game first up only looks like a start.
3. Darcy Wills – continues to grow as a key defender getting himself in good positions to impact the play. When the game was there to be won late, he showed the courage to take the game on and will the side over the line. Continues to build every week and should be growing with confidence with each passing match.
4. Jacob Pasli – gives the team a point of difference with his spPeel eed and attack on the football. With a little more composure and cleanliness with ball in hand could prove to be a real x-factor for the side. The effort this young man shows is contagious and had a real impact on his teammates.
5. Josh Draper – was quiet for long periods of the game, but some of his ruck work late allowed the midfielders to gain some ascendency in the centre of the ground and played a significant part in a four-goal last quarter. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to see much of the young man, but in spurts showed his athleticism and ability to impact the result of games at Colts level.

While the Thunder’s third win of the season didn’t impact their ladder position, in the grand scheme of things it puts the side two games and percentage out of the five. Considering the strength of talent on show from East Fremantle this game should be a confidence boost for the young Thunder team. Hopefully that momentum carries over during the short week before they take on Claremont, Friday night at home. Peel thunder