Prevailing Peel put the Tigers to rest

A defiant Peel side are on their way to a preliminary final after winning a one-point nailbiter in the first semi-final against Claremont.  

 

A sunny Sunday afternoon with a packed Peel home ground at Lane Group stadium, shaped for a roller-coaster match between both sides in the second week of finals.  

 

Peel began the first term steadily with Tom Emmett (10 disposals, one goal) kicking the first maximum of the day eight minutes in.  

 

With many opportunities at hand for Claremont they failed to convert to goal, scoring five behinds and only one maximum in the first quarter.  

 

It didn’t take long for drama to occur with players pushing and shoving all around the ground as tension grew.  

 

Nathan O’Driscoll (25 disposals, one goal) got the crowd excited with a running shot at goal inside 50 to take Peel ahead by three points going into the second term.  

 

Claremont did not hold back in the second quarter kicking a goal inside 50 seven minutes in to take the lead.  

 

Neil Erasmus (26 disposals, 14 kicks) worked tirelessly to transition the ball inside 50 to Matt Taberner (eight disposals, three goals) eventually converting to goal and regaining back the lead.  

 

Peel legend and captain Benjamin Hancock (10 disposals, six handballs) toiled hard throughout the ground in his 170th league appearance, working with Michael Sellwood (19 disposals, 16 kicks) to provide support for both the forward and backline players.  

 

After an extremely contested and stalemate second quarter, scores were level at the halftime break. Peel feeling slightly more ahead with 55 percent in possessions compared to 45 percent for Claremont.  

 

The third term began with loud support from both fired up Peel and Claremont supporters around the ground.  

 

Patrick Voss (seven disposals, one goal) opened his goal scoring account with a goal in the opening minute of the third term to take Peel ahead by a goal.  

 

Momentum suddenly shifted to Claremont as they nailed three goals in a row late in the third term to take their lead at nine points, which set up a dramatic last quarter.  

 

Claremont didn’t make it easy for Peel in the opening fourth term scoring two behinds and a goal, resulting in Claremont’s highest lead of the match at 17 points. 

 

Matt Taberner provided relief for anxious Peel fans after kicking two goals late in the fourth quarter, taking the margin to just only seven points in Claremont’s favour.  

 

In the 24th minute Nathan Wilson (five disposal, four kicks) had a sneaky shot at goal with a chance to level the scores however only resulting in a behind. 

 

Tension began to grow around Lane Group Stadium as the clock ticked down and all Peel needed was a goal to win it.  

 

When all hope seemed lost for Peel, a strong tap from Liam Reidy (14 disposals, 44 hit outs) in a ball up just outside Peels 50 metre line to Blair Bell (19 disposals, one goal) enabled him to have a clear running shot at goal putting Peel ahead by a point in the dying minutes.   

 

The siren eventually sounded seconds after Blair Bells’ goal taking final scores to 6.12 (48) for the visitors and 7.7 (49) for the home side.  

 

Reflecting post-match Benjamin Hancock emphasised how special the win was for the players. 

 

“Really excited, such a close game and good contest. We are just taking it week by week at the moment and we look forward to Swans next week,” Hancock said.  

 

Hancock also applauded the work of Blair Bell for the game and his overall season.  

 

“He’s been great for us, a legend of the club. For him to kick the winning today, just the epitome of him, he’s such a presence. He got the boys over the line in the end,” he said.  

 

Hancock stressed how important it was for the team to trust the game plan after being 17 points down in the last quarter.  

 

“Belief in our gameplan and our process going out and executing that. We know that our footy stands up with anyone in the comp. To be able to execute that in the final 10 to 15 minutes was really good,” Hancock said. 

 

Hancock highlighted his message as captain of the club to keep believing and trust the process leading into the preliminary final.  

 

“Keep trusting the process, keep believing. We’ve got that belief in the group that we are the best side in the comp, and we will take that into the prelim this week,” he said.  

 

Peel will now face Swan Districts in a preliminary final at Steel Blue Oval on Sunday 15 September.  

 

Peel Thunder: 2.2 3.2 4.5 7.7 (49) 

 

Claremont: 1.5 2.8 5.8 6.12 (48) 

 

Goals: 

 

Peel Thunder: 3 Matt Taberner 1 B Bell T Emmett N O’Driscoll P Voss 

 

Claremont: 2 A Waterman 1 S Alvarez K Gowdie Z Mainwaring A Manuel  

 

By George Spence, Curtin University