Peel now sit clear atop the WAFL ladder after a comeback victory over reigning premiers West Perth at Arena Joondalup on Saturday.
Thirteen Fremantle listed players were in action as the Thunder shrugged off a slow start to kick six second half goals to just one goal from the Falcons, resulting in a nine-point win with a score line of 11.11 (77) to 9.14 (68).
Corey Wagner was pivotal with a game-high 35 disposals as well as five tackles and four marks, while midfielders Neil Erasmus (29 possesions, five marks) and Will Brodie (28 possessions, six marks) helped drive the Thunder forward.
West Perth had the play in the first half as they piled on eight first half goals to take a 21-point lead into the main break.
Skilful ball use, tackling intent and pressure helped the Thunder claw their way back into the contest as the game drew level in the third term before a late Sebit Kuek goal on the three-quarter time siren put Peel in front for the first time.
Kuek kicked three goals in the match to join Liam Henry (two goals, 22 possessions) and Josh Corbett (two goals, eight marks) as Peel’s multiple goalkickers for the afternoon.
Reflecting post-game, Wagner said the group was able to reset at half time, with Senior Coach Geoff Valentine emphasising the need for players to execute their role.
“It was about going back to basics, we’d gone for a few too many kicks that we couldn’t pull off,” Wagner said.
“We brought it back to what we know in the contest…everyone played their role and we got the win.”
The victory gives Peel a 6-1 record on top of the WAFL ladder with a league-best percentage of 153 per cent.
The Thunder will look to continue their winning streak this Sunday 4 June against Subiaco at Rushton Park in Mandurah, with a 2.10pm bouncedown.
PEEL: 2.1, 5.3, 9.8, 11.11 (77)
WEST PERTH: 5.1, 8.6, 8.9, 9.14 (68)
GOALS
PEEL: B, Middleton 1, J Ietto 1, J Sears 1, J Corbett 2, S Kuek 3, L Henry 2, T Emmett 1
WEST PERTH: T Keitel 3, S Nelson 2, B Johnson, K Knott, C Lynch, C Rundle
|
# |
PLAYER |
K |
H |
D |
M |
T |
HO |
I50 |
G |
B |
|
17 |
BRODIE Will |
11 |
17 |
28 |
6 |
4 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
|
36 |
CORBETT Josh |
5 |
5 |
10 |
8 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
|
64 |
DAVIES Hugh |
3 |
6 |
9 |
5 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
39 |
EMMETT Tom |
6 |
4 |
10 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
|
7 |
ERASMUS Neil |
13 |
16 |
29 |
5 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
15 |
HAMLING Joel |
14 |
5 |
19 |
10 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
40 |
KUEK Sebit |
8 |
6 |
14 |
7 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
|
24 |
WILSON Nathan |
15 |
8 |
23 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
|
32 |
WAGNER Corey |
26 |
9 |
35 |
4 |
5 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
|
55 |
HENRY Liam |
15 |
7 |
22 |
6 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
|
8 |
REIDY Liam |
4 |
5 |
9 |
0 |
3 |
36 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
61 |
Draper Joshua |
3 |
2 |
5 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
65 |
COLYER Travis |
8 |
3 |
11 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
