Thirteen Fremantle-listed players helped Peel Thunder have a promising start to their pre-season, defeating Subiaco 10.7 (67) to 9.11 (65) on Saturday at Rushton Park.
Read below as Thunder Senior Coach Geoff Valentine runs through how each line fared from a Fremantle perspective.
The game involved three Fremantle players building from pre-season injuries, with Nathan O’Driscoll (foot) playing a full game, Michael Walters (achilles) playing until the third quarter and Corey Wager (hamstring) playing the opening half.
Valentine was happy with his team’s efforts in their first hitout against WAFL opposition.
“It was a pleasing result and most importantly, everyone got through without injury,” Valentine said.
“Although it was a narrow win, it felt like we controlled the game well, and when Subiaco came back mid-way through the last quarter, I thought we steadied and closed it out nicely.
“There were some great learnings, and it was good to get out there and play some games together against another opposition.”
BACKLINE SUMMARY (Corey Wagner, Karl Worner, Joel Hamling, Josh Draper)
Corey Wagner got through really well, he played a half, and provided some dash from the backline - he and Karl Worner combined nicely at half back. Joel Hamling was probably the best key defender on the ground. It’s very hard to get a kick on him and he blanketed his man and got involved in our offence. Josh Draper had a solid game, it was great to see a Peel youngster step up in his first game of senior footy.
FORWARDLINE SUMMARY (Michael Walters, Sebit Kuek, Jye Amiss, Josh Corbett, Tom Emmett)
Sonny was done for the day in the third quarter, but he brought he usual energy and was a positive influence on the group. Sebit had his best game in Peel colours, he kicked 4.1 and was able to have an impact in the last quarter when he was under a bit of physical soreness. I thought Jye was really solid, his defensive pressure was strong in another step forward for him. He also marked the ball well.
Josh Corbett was selfless, he set up Sebit with his first goal by squaring the ball nicely. Like Sebit, he might feel like he left a few goals out there. Tom split an eyebrow early but he continued to chase hard and put on the pressure.
MIDFIELD SUMMARY (Nathan O’Driscoll, Neil Erasmus, Matthew Johnson)
‘Driz’ had a really good second half, he was a little bit off early but he was really positive with how he ran the game out, which is a good sign.
Erasmus and Johnson, you can’t question their work rate. They worked their way into the game really positively in what was a good day for them.
RUCK SUMMARY (Liam Reidy – League. Eric Benning, Max Knobel – Reserves)
Big Liam Reidy kicked a couple goals when resting as a forward. He was up against Zac Clarke in the ruck, so it was a good battle for him.
Max Knobel and Eric Benning played in the reserves. ‘Roy’ (Benning) kicked two goals and Max rucked well - it will be important to build connection off the back of his ability to get first hands to the ball.
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