Twelve Fremantle players were in action to help Peel battle to a 14-point win against South Fremantle, (10.12) 72 to (8.10) 58, at Lane Group Stadium in Mandurah on Saturday afternoon.
Jye Amiss returned for what was celebrated as the Thunder’s 500th match after suffering a kidney injury in the reverse fixture earlier in the season and contributed two goals to their victory.
It was a must win game for Peel as they remain inside a finals spot on level points with Swan Districts, who sit sixth on the ladder.
South Fremantle took an early lead, but it was not long until Riley Smith and Fremantle’s Ethan Hughes opened the Thunder’s scoring to kick two goals within three minutes.
Connor Blakely and Mitch Crowden both starred early, finishing the first quarter with 10 disposals each to their name.
The wind and wet proved a challenge for both sides with the majority of the footy during the second quarter remaining on the Hayden Ballantyne wing as the Thunder and the Bulldogs fought hard to enter the forward half.
Neil Erasmus commanded the back line and kept Peel composed in delivering the ball up the field, landing him 14 disposals during the first half.
Eventually the Thunder’s persistence and teamwork paid off with goals from Travis Colyer and Jye Amiss to give Peel the lead at the halftime break.
By the third quarter, Peel aimed to stay composed and gain more control of the game with Fremantle’s Liam Henry’s 18 disposals contributing significantly to getting the ball into the forward half.
Peel’s backline held strong with Erasmus and Crowden preventing the Bulldogs from pushing through with a combined 48 disposals between the pair by fulltime.
The five-point margin fuelled Peel to look for more points and with the help of Hughes, Blair Bell was able to take a mark right in front of the forward pocket securing another goal for the Thunder.
The start of the fourth quarter saw Sam Sturt kick a goal, but the Bulldogs soon took the lead again for the first time since the first quarter.
It didn’t take long for the Thunder to get back in front with two goals in quick succession, including one from Amiss, to give Peel the momentum.
The final term was highlighted by a Henry disposal seeing Matthew Johnson take a stunner mark out of the pack.
A final goal from Johnson in the last few minutes sealed the game, giving Peel four straight wins.
The Thunder are now in fifth place on the ladder just two points behind South Fremantle in fourth as they head into round 18 away against Claremont next Saturday at Revo Fitness Stadium.
Two Freo players were also in action in the reserves, with Eric Benning and Sebit Kuek taking part in Peel's five-point loss.
Peel Thunder: 2.3 5.4 6.6 10.12 (72)
South Fremantle: 3.3 4.5 5.8 8.10 (58)
GOALS
Peel Thunder: J Amiss 2, T Colyer 2, R Smith 2, B Bell, E Hughes, M Johnson, S Sturt
South Fremantle: J Miller 2, M Shaw 2, C Datson, H Free, H Schloithe, S Verrier
# |
PLAYER |
K |
H |
D |
M |
T |
HO |
I50 |
FF |
FA |
G |
B |
11 |
17 |
14 |
31 |
7 |
5 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
64 |
16 |
12 |
28 |
6 |
3 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
25 |
10 |
12 |
22 |
5 |
4 |
40 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
|
7 |
9 |
11 |
20 |
4 |
6 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
|
15 |
10 |
9 |
19 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
55 |
12 |
6 |
18 |
5 |
3 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
32 |
8 |
9 |
17 |
4 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
6 |
10 |
6 |
16 |
3 |
6 |
0 |
4 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
|
65 |
7 |
5 |
12 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
|
46 |
8 |
3 |
11 |
5 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
|
63 |
5 |
5 |
10 |
4 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
|
43 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
0 |