Peel look to cement maiden finals berth

PEEL is almost certain to play finals for the first time in the club’s history, following a comfortable 30-point win over South Fremantle at Fremantle Oval on Saturday.

The Thunder withstood a third-quarter comeback from the Bulldogs to record a 14.13 (97) to 11.1 (67) win in wet and wintry conditions.

The victory was Peel’s fourth in a row, consolidating its position in the top five, and with three games to go the Thunder is 10% behind West Perth in second.

South Fremantle sent a scare through reigning premiers Subiaco last week, and the home side brought that same intensity to the contest.

Both sides traded goals in the first term before Peel broke away with five consecutive majors to take a 28-point lead into the long break.

It took 10 minutes for the Bulldogs to break through for the first major of the third term, and incredible accuracy along with five consecutive goals kept the home side in the contest midway through the final term.

A goal from Bulldogs’ utility Shaun Bewick saw the home side draw within five points at the 15-minute mark of the final term, but vice captain Eddie Dann steadied the ship with a brave mark, and steered home a crucial goal after winning a 50m penalty.

Max Duffy’s third goal sealed the game for the visitors, and also showed how important the silky half-forward is to Peel’s finals fortunes.

The 22-year-old notched up 24 disposals along with his three goals in his first game back after recovering from a calf injury.

Skipper Brendon Jones was also influential with 32 disposals and six inside 50s, while Josh Bootsma’s 24 touches and 10 marks rebounding off half-back were pivotal in his best game of the year.

The Thunder can seal its first ever finals appearance with a win next week against fourth-placed East Perth, who are also eyeing off third spot.