CAPTAIN’S CORNER - FLAHERTY POSITIVE ABOUT PEEL FUTURE

FLAHERTY POSITIVE ABOUT PEEL FUTURE

PEEL skipper James Flaherty has endorsed the young talent at the Thunder, saying it was a key reason behind his recommitment to the Club.

Flaherty, a former skipper of VFL Club Bendigo Bombers, was named as captain this year and he said with the young talent at the Club, he was eager to help them improve.

“I believe I had something to add to the young players based in Mandurah, and have played enough footy and experience to help the Club under the new alignment, to bridge the gap between all players and try to win games,” Flaherty said.

The 27-year-old defender played his 50^th game for the Thunder in their loss to Subiaco on Saturday, and he said playing full-back aided his leadership capabilities.

“As a defender and playing mostly down at full back and deep in defence, I am able to read the game and instruct team mates as I can see the game unfolding in front of me,” he said.

Peel has started the 2014 season slowly, going winless in the first three games, but Flaherty was adamant that while the effort was there, consistency was the key to the young group’s success.

“We are a young group with input from Fremantle-listed players as well, and while our effort in our games has been good, we haven’t sustained it for four quarters,” Flaherty said.

“We have had good patches but need to be more consistent.”

While Flaherty earmarked areas for improvement, such as limiting turnovers, he said the players still needed to attack the game and play to their strengths.

 “We have a clear game plan and solid structures game day. We need each player playing there individual roles to become a better team,” he said.

East Fremantle looms as Peel’s next challenge after the Sharks disposed of Claremont last weekend to the tune of 75 points, with former West Coast Eagles midfielder Bradd Dalziell starring with 30 touches and four goals.

Flaherty said stopping Dalziell would be critical to the Thunder’s chances.

“He’s a quality player who’s in great form, so we will need to limit his use and goal kicking ability,” he said.

Peel will host the Sharks at Bendigo Bank Stadium on Good Friday, with bounce down at 2.15pm.