RD 8 REVIEW |

Senior Development Report 

On Saturday the Senior Development team travelled to Fremantle oval to take on top side South Fremantle. We have now played the top two sides in the last 2 weeks and have a better understanding on where we need to improve as a team and what is required to win at this level. 

On a wet and windy day we once again matched the pace setters for over half the game but faded out late in the game. Our first quarter was a great effort restricting South Fremantle to no goals and the 2nd quarter was nearly as good but a lack of cohesion in the last 5 minutes meant we went in at half time 3 goals down. 

Once again the determination shown by the boys after half time was evident and half way through the 3rd quarter we had pegged the lead back and were on even terms. From here on though the experience of SF shone through and with greater transference of play they ran out winners by about 7 goals.

Our more experienced players (some of these have still only played 7 or 8 Senior Development games) were in the main quite good on Saturday and our younger players it was another game of experience under their belts. 

I really like the vibe of this group and providing we can all stay as one we will definitely reap the rewards later this season. Some wonderful individual efforts as we look to build as a team and football club. We look forward to the week off this Saturday and will approach our next game against Claremont with great enthusiasm.

COLTS 

The round 9 game against South Fremantle was one of opportunity with a number of changes to the line-up with state 18s representation and a handful of new injuries. The team welcomed a couple of 16s, Lachlan Mitchell and Michael Stevens, who made their WAFL Colts debut for the club after successful 16s campaigns. In very tough conditions it was going to be a battle at ground level, and whilst the Thunder boys provided great effort, the ability to control the ball in the wet conditions prohibited effective scoring opportunities. At quarter time, the margin was only 3-points and consecutive goals in the second term ensured the game was up for grabs at half time. 

In the third quarter the Thunder boys were able to again force the ball forward, however an inability to register goals hurt badly when South Fremantle put 3 goals on in 5 minutes to end the term. Again the message at three-quarter time was to take the game on, winning the contested ball and delivering to space in front of the forwards. As the rain continued to belt down the scoring dried up and the final quarter was a real arm wrestle for no great result. In the conditions the team battled hard, however at times South Fremantle were stronger over the ball and in the air which ultimately proved the difference between the sides.