COLTS HEAD TO MEDIBANK FOR 1ST FINALS

After securing the Colts first finals berth since 2011 with a win over Perth in the last round, the team was determined to retain its place in the top 3 and earn the double chance in the finals series with a victory over South Fremantle. The game started well for the Thunder with the opening couple of scoring shots, however critical misses proved costly when South Fremantle had their run in attack. Kicking with the aid of a strong breeze the bulldogs were able to kick truly and booted five goals in the space of 8 minutes to open up and early commanding lead. The thunder hit back with a late goal only to have the bulldogs respond and go into the quarter time break with a five goal lead.

In the second quarter it was almost a mirror image of the first with play dominated towards the Forum end with Peel kicking five unanswered goals reducing the half-time deficit to just 1-point. In the third term and the advantage of the strong breeze South Fremantle again were able to capitalise on the scoreboard, however a tough 10-minute patch of fierce defence ensured the margin at the final break was within distance for the thunder and with everything to play for the 18-point margin was to be a challenge.

In a tense struggle in the last as the bulldogs dropped a couple of players behind the ball and were able to hold out the early penetration. As the rain started to fall and a quick restructure forward, the Thunder put on consecutive goals to breathe life into the game. As the minutes ticked by and the chances seemed to be slipping the boys responded hard and tied the game with only minutes to play. Some desperate goal line defence at one end and a quick transition saw the thunder hit the front for the first time in the game with just 90-seconds remaining. A turnover at half forward and another score took the lead to two points and secured the 12^th win of the season and third position on the ladder.

After a challenging start to the season sitting at the foot of the ladder with a 1-7 record, the Colts have won 11 out of 12 heading into a qualifying final against last years premiers Swan Districts. The game will be at 9.00am at Medibank Stadium in Leederville on Sunday.