Peel has succumbed to a slick Lions outfit by 60 points in a top-of-the-table clash at Bendigo Bank Stadium on Saturday.
The reigning premiers cemented top spot on the ladder with a dominant 16.16 (112) to 7.10 (52) display headlined by a six-goal haul from livewire forward Shane Yarran.
WAFL WATCH: Player Stats, Saturday 9 May
It’s the Thunder’s second disappointing loss on the trot, however they still sit in fourth spot and 12 per cent off second position on the ladder.
Despite strong games from Tendai Mzungu (28 disposals) and Tommy Sheridan (26 touches), the Thunder midfield was powerless to stop the likes of Brett Robinson (34 touches) and Wayde Twomey (25 disposals).
Leroy Jetta chimed in with three goals for the home side, however the Thunder was simply no match for the rampaging Lions.
The Thunder was outclassed from the outset, as Subiaco slammed on seven goals to three in the opening term to assert its dominance.
Peel looked to claw its way back into the game in the second term, however it was unable to create scoreboard pressure despite restricting Subiaco to a solitary goal for the quarter.
And when Jetta snapped his first inside the opening five minutes of the third term, the margin was back to a manageable 21 points.
Max Duffy had an opportunity to draw his side within 15 points, however his errant kick from 50m resulted in a behind and subsequently opened the door for the Lions to run away with the game.
From that point on, Subiaco was irresistible yet inaccurate, slamming on 4.9 for the term to shut the door on any potential Peel comeback.
Peel coach Cam Shepherd said his side was simply outclassed by a well-drilled and tough Lions outfit who dominated the clearances and the midfield battle.
“We were disappointed in our effort matching it with the best. We obviously have some work to do to get to that standard,” Shepherd said, highlighting ball use and work rate as two areas in need of attention.
“We have got to get better with our use by hitting targets and then give our forwards every chance when we go inside forward 50.
“The opposition [over the last two weeks] has put us under pressure and we have to get better with our use under pressure, and if we don’t improve and turn the ball over, these results will come our way.”
Next week’s clash at Fremantle Oval against South Fremantle looms as crucial encounter, given both sides cling to the bottom two rungs on the ladder.
Shepherd said the Thunder needed to return to the form that was on show throughout the four-match winning streak earlier this season.
“We need to get back to using the ball better and having the trust to take risks and take the game on. But our work rate also needs to improve drastically,” Shepherd said.
“We’re at the end of an eight-game stretch, but we’re looking forward to the challenge of rectifying the performances of the past two weeks and getting our season back on track.”
