Round 18 WAFL Wrap

WAFL

SWAN DISTRICTS 14.13  (99) defeated PEEL THUNDER 7.5  (47)

We were really pleased with the fight shown from our team on the weekend.

This was shown in particular from about the 15-minute mark of the second quarter to the end of the third quarter, a period of about 45-minutes where the young Peel team showed signs which are so exciting for the future. The scores at the start of that period were Swans six-goals to Peel one-goal. It could be reasonably expected that any team would having given the start of the game a good shot, been overrun by a more mature team. On top of this our F&B player from 2020 in Jackson Merrett was out of the game at the three-minute mark of Q2 with an injured back. The recipe is one of expected capitulation.

What we saw was the future. We saw fight and physical pressure on the opposition. And we saw reward on the scoreboard. Peel in this period scored four-goals to Swans two-goals.

And in reality it was not until the last 10-minutes of the game that Swabs played it on their terms and scored four-late goals.

In this time where we have been challenged by not having access to our Fremantle Dockers group we have been able to give a taste to young players whom will gain much from the experience.

Better players on the day were Tyrone Thorne, Sandy Brock, Blair Bell, Michael Randall.

It was great to get yet another debutant on the field and Tyler Nesbitt really showed that he is going to be fine player of the future.

Shep.

RESERVES

SWAN DISTRICTS  18.13 (121) defeated PEEL THUNDER  2.4 (16)

This weekend we ran into a seasoned, conditioned and hungry Swan Districts side who were looking to cement their hold on second place on the ladder. Early in the piece it was obvious that the swans were unlikely to provide an easy day at the office for our young Peel Thunder brigade. With strong contested ball and high workrate our players witness a first hand demonstration on how to execute high level football, which we will use to spur us into the final two-fixtures of 2021 and beyond. 

On a positive note, we graduated another promising young player into the senior ranks with Bryce Fiorentino debuting alongside promising young midfielder in McKenna Taylor (second game).  We also congratulated Ryan Warfe and Cole Agnew on their first goals in senior football after recently joining our side. While these young men will be disappointed in the result, sometimes its the most painful lessons that you learn the most from, and we challenged the playing group to remember this performance in the future as a motivating force to bring your best every week. 

Best players were Kyle Penny who fought bravely with 18-disposals and nine-tackles. Jaxon Egan who demonstrated his class under limited opportunity forward and special mentions to our young ruck combo in Owen Davidson and Josh Edwards who won the hit outs and gave our mids first use at the contest. 

The Senior Development side will take a small hiatus over the next fortnight as we regroup to face the Perth Demons in the penultimate round of the Home and Away season. 

COLTS 

SWAN DISTRICTS  12.14 (86) defeated PEEL THUNDER  7.6 (48)

One of the longer trips in Colts football would see the Thunder take on Swan Districts at Bassendean, where the side would have been confident after a nail biting win last week against South Fremantle. The only thing stopping them would be a Swans team who had only dropped one game for the year looking to clinch top spot.

The match begun with Peel looking like a boxer on the defensive, taking numerous punches from a fast-moving Swans who peppered the goals throughout the first half. Peel were well beaten nearly everywhere on the ground and looked lethargic, reflected by a negative sixty in uncontested ball. The 8.8 (56) to 1.2 (8) score line was a direct reflection of this.

After some half time inspiration, the boys responded early in the second half, taking it up to their more fancied rivals by being more brave with their ball movement and taking the game on with their leg speed. As a result both teams would kick 2.3 for the term and if not for some fundamental errors Peel would have won the quarter easily.

The final term was won by Peel kicking 4.1 to 3.3 in what was an exciting display of football. One wonders if Peel brought their A-game in the first half that the final result might have been more tightly contested. Despite the second half revival Swans would run out comfortable winners, 12.14 (86) to 7.6 (48).

Considering it was a game of two halves, here are a handful of players who could say they put in a four-quarter performance:

1. Brady Hough – comes back into the side and it was straight back to business for the young man from the South-West. Started in the midfield but it was his shift to half back that caught the eye. Thirty-three possessions at a high click efficiency wise was a big reason for many of Peel’s attacks off half back. Was also no slouch when it came to winning one-on-one contests taking intercepts marks and collecting loose ball with regularity.
2. Mitchell Edwards – big in stature and big in game. Taking on an opposing ruckman three-years his senior was no problem for the first gamer, who was busy around the ground with his taps and also got his hands on it from an attacking point of view. Plenty to like about the young ruckman.
3. Tristan Bryce – has come back invigorated after being dropped a few weeks back. Seems to have found his mojo when it comes to his defensive presence and is finding the ball more through repeat efforts. Would like to see his kicking skills on display more often but 22-possessions is a good start to using those foot skills more.
4. Charlie Bourke – a move to the back line last week seems to be a fresh start for Bourke who used his marking to great effect and complimenting this with some neat ball use by foot is making a case for Charlie becoming for a solid defender.
5. Taj Wyburd – the unrewarded wingman just runs all day and impacts in ways you can’t put on a stat sheet. Defensive cover and filling leading lanes are just some of the ways Taj helps teammates. Some days he can get his hands on it but today was one of those the defensive side came first and this was reflected in his five tackles.

A poor first half would cost the Thunder dearly. Despite some shining lights within the performance, unfortunately, the team has nearly three weeks to ponder what could have been before they take on Perth on a Friday the 27th at David Grays Arena.