A dominant performance in the ruck from Zac Clarke and Jon Griffin laid the foundation for Peel Thunder’s 60-point semi-final win over West Perth in blustery conditions at HBF Arena.
The duo’s dominance in winning 58 hitouts to West Perth’s 20, allowed Peel’s midfield brigade of Matt de Boer, Connor Blakely and Rory O’Brien first use of the football.
Clarke was influential with 20 disposals, while Griffin provided a target up front and finished with two goals.
De Boer, who finished with 31 disposals and nine tackles, said the ruckmen’s performance set the game up for the midfield.
“They’re the quarterbacks essentially, and we just try to get to work for them,” he said.
“We have some great ruck stocks and we’re just trying to do our bit in the midfield.”
At a venue where the Thunder have only been victorious twice in their previous 22 outings, de Boer and Blakely (35 disposals, five inside 50s) were instrumental in driving Peel into attack, finishing with five inside 50s each.
Captain Gerald Ugle was lively up front, finishing with four goals, while Blair Bell chipped in with three majors.
Peel’s defensive unit was again well drilled, closing down a West Perth forward line containing former Fremantle player Max Duffy, as well as Andrew Strijk and Michael Lourey.
De Boer said the team was boosted having Sam Collins and Alex Silvagni in the side, but defence was the whole team’s responsibility.
“We know they are going to give us their all,” he said.
“It’s total team defence, but they’re AFL grade backs and we love having them."
A cagey opening quarter saw no score registered until the ninth minute, when Harley Balic snapped a behind from the pocket.
Peel’s defensive structure was tested early, but wayward kicking from West Perth and three goals to the Thunder saw Peel with an eight-point quarter time lead.
West Perth started the second term strongly, kicking the opening goal to cut the margin to three points, before goals to Ed Langdon and Ugle restored a 16-point buffer.
The Thunder withstood a late charge from the Falcons and went into the main break with a 14-point advantage.
The third term started much like the first as both teams struggled to make an impact until Griffin slotted his second to open up a 20-point lead for the Thunder.
Peel pinned West Perth in their defensive half but struggled to make the pressure count on the scoreboard before Bell kicked his second of the game.
Two late goals from Ugle saw Peel enter the final break with a 45-point buffer.
Shane Yarran came to life in the final term, setting up two quick goals before kicking his first of the game to see Peel out to a 57-point lead after eight minutes.
Ugle’s fourth major pushed the margin out to 10 goals as the Thunder ran out 60-point victors.
De Boer said the team’s focus shifts to next week's clash with South Fremantle.
“We have a prelim next week and they don’t come around often,” he said.
“We can achieve something special if we put our minds to it.”
