Peel steal nail- biting win

SIX goals in the final term has steered Peel Thunder to its second win of the season, with an enthralling five-point win over Perth at Lathlain Park on Saturday.

A scrappy game punctuated with skill errors from both sides, the Thunder trailed at every change before a pulsating final term saw the lead change three times.

Two goals from Michael Apeness inside the first five minutes of the last quarter handed Peel the lead, before three successive Perth goals saw the Demons advantage balloon out to 13 points.

Peel hit back with three consecutive goals of its own through Jack Hannath, Craig Moller and Leroy Jetta, but a towering mark in the defensive goal square by Josh Bootsma set up a stunning running goal from Sylvia which appeared to seal the game.

Perth veteran Chance Bateman then replied with his third goal to reduce the Peel lead to five deep into time on, but the Thunder defence was resolute in the dying seconds to hang on to a 11.7 (73) to 9.14 (68) win.

Bootsma and Apeness were both immense at opposite ends of the ground in the final quarter, while Brendon Jones – in his 100^th game for the club – lifted his side in the midfield, as did Connor Blakely (29 disposals).

Ed Langdon also showed some good signs in his best display for the Thunder, notching 25 disposals and a goal, while Gerald Ugle (22 disposals) provided some class off halfback.

The Thunder received a scare when Tanner Smith went down in the third quarter with a knock to the head, and he will be assessed by the Fremantle medical staff during the week.
 

Peel coach Cam Shepherd said he was pleased with the resilience shown by his charges in the final term.

“We’re really pleased that we were able to get a win when we were behind for most of the day, and didn’t play our best football,” Shepherd said.

“In the past this side may have fallen over having been down by a couple of goals in the last quarter, but the resilience from our boys to fight back and come away with the win was outstanding.”

Shepherd attributed a number of factors to the skill errors, including the slippery conditions and the intensity around the contest.

“We haven’t played in those conditions so far this year, and both sides were susceptible to turnover, but credit to Perth for their intensity and pressure.”

Shepherd paid tribute to Josh Bootsma’s leadership in the final term as an example of the side’s composure in the final term, highlighting his towering mark late in the quarter as a pivotal moment in the game.

“We wanted to hit our targets, maintain possession and try regain some composure in that final term, and while the ball was spinning from one end to the other, the game opened up,” he said.

“Josh had a great game, and he’s been building to that for a while. He’s a leader of the club, and that was certainly evident in the final term, so he led the backline capably and we’re really pleased with his development.”

Earlier, Alex Pearce proved to be an unlikely architect for the first goal of the match, with the dogged defender pouncing on a loose ball and slotting a nice running goal from 45m.

Both sides traded goals for much of the first half, but Perth’s ascendancy around the ground failed to translate to the scoreboard, as inaccuracy hurt the home side.

Despite the ugly win, Peel will bank the points and look ahead to a showdown with East Perth at Medibank Stadium next Saturday.

Photos: Cofo Foto