Subiaco’s experience was telling, and its efficiency on the scoreboard was a critical factor in securing the 16.9 (105) to 13.10 (88) victory, as it did not register a behind until well into the third term.
The Thunder started strongly, with fluent ball movement and strong pressure on the Subiaco ball-carriers a highlight.
Jack Hannath had 11 touches and 10 hitouts in the first quarter, while Alex Silvagni was stoic in defence.
The second quarter was one marked by missed opportunities by the home side, managing only 1.4 in stark contrast to the Lions’ five straight goals.
Ill-discipline early saw the Thunder concede two 50-metre penalties that led to Lions goals, as the visitors regained the ascendancy in the midfield.
That was maintained in the third term, as Subiaco stretched its lead out to 34 points by the final change.
But the Thunder’s fight has been a hallmark this season, and they dominated proceedings in the final quarter, with Kelvin Lawrence capping off a strong performance with two goals in the last term on his way to a four-goal haul.
McKenna and Mat Brown both continued to fight, while Anthony Morabito (24 touches and two goals) finished strongly.
Peel coach Cam Shepherd attributed the third-quarter lapses to a combination of inexperience, costly turnovers and inability to seize opportunities, but he was pleased with the side’s continued willingness to compete.
“All games have ebbs and flows, and they got the ascendancy in the third quarter, we had to wrest it back and we did that in the last term,” Shepherd said.
“Even though we were behind on the scoreboard, our effort has been really good and we just weren’t rewarded for that effort.
“We want to make sure that we never relent, and it was pleasing that we finished off strongly, and with a fit side we knew we would run the game out strongly.”
Shepherd said, while it was disappointing to fall behind in the third term, he heaped praise on Subiaco, who went into the game undefeated on top of the ladder.
“The Lions are a side that has demolished three others in the competition, and we played a strong brand of footy but we weren’t good enough to get over the line,” he said.
Despite the loss, a number of positives came out of the game, including the performance of debutant Ben Hancock.
The 17-year-old defender won the Colts Best and Fairest last year, and Shepherd said the youngster was impressive off half-back opposed to stars such as Shaun Hildebrandt and Jarrod Kayler-Thomson.
“He used the ball very well and took a couple of fine marks, so I walked away feeling very good about his performance, he was a real contributor to our cause,” he said.
Michael Apeness was another strong contributor who dominated in the air with 10 marks as part of a tall forward line with Hannath, Jon Griffin and Craig Moller.
Shepherd said the tall forward structure would provide many headaches for opposition defences over the coming weeks.
“We were keen to go into the game with a taller forward line, and those guys can take some really strong marks and stretch defences in the air,” he said.
Shepherd called for improvement in the midfield, citing that as a focus ahead of a crucial Good Friday game against East Fremantle, who looms large having disposed of Claremont by 75 points.
