Tough loss sours 2015 preparations

Tough loss sours 2015 preparations

PEEL’S final preparations for 2015 have taken a blow, suffering a 115-point thrashing at the hands of Claremont in the final scratch match of the season at Bendigo Bank Stadium.

The Thunder was no match for the strong Claremont outfit, who stamped their authority early with eight goals in the first term while keeping the hosts goalless.

Despite Peel hitting back with the first goal of the second, the margin drifted out to 14 goals by half time, with the Tigers rampant out of the middle and pouncing on turnovers.
 

The rain tightened up the contest in the third, with no goals for the first 17 minutes, but the drying conditions was met with a string of Claremont goals to take the margin over 100 points.

As in the third, the contest was tough for the opening 15 minutes of the last quarter, however the class of Claremont showed with a hat trick of goals to run out 24.12 (159) to 6.8 (44) winners.

But the sight of young Carey Park recruit Brayden Lawler dragging down an opponent to set up a goal pointed to where the Thunder could improve this year.

Lawler showed strong endeavor in his second hit out for the club, and could be pushing for selection in Round 2.

Boom recruit Gerald Ugle also showed glimpses of his immense talent, while Josh Mathers looks set to make the back pocket his own this year with a typically hard-nosed display.

Peel coach Cam Shepherd said while the result was not ideal; it was another important step for the young group ahead of the home and away season.
“We had a very young side out there today, and it was very important for those guys to get a taste of what the level is like,” Shepherd said.

“I have enormous faith in our younger group, and I’m sure they will repay it as time goes by.”
While the large loss stung, Shepherd said the focus was now on making 2015 a successful year.

“The practice games are over, there were some stern words spoken [after the game], we expect 100% effort and we won’t deviate from that.

“But the season really starts now and we’re very excited.”

With the bye in the first round, Peel will kick off the 2015 WAFL Premiership season by tackling West Perth in Joondalup in Round 2.

The Thunder will be bolstered by an influx of Dockers players when they face the Falcons, but strong pre-seasons from a number of young

players will mean competition for spots will be hot.

Photographs: Coni Forrestdale