A slow-starting Peel Thunder were defeated by ladder leaders Subiaco at Rushton Park on Saturday ending their five-game winning streak.
The Lions out ran the Thunder to finish 12.14 (86) to 6.4 (40), after holding them goalless for the entire first term.
Fremantle forward Brady Grey said there were positive moments to focus on despite the loss to Subiaco.
“I thought we played really well during the second quarter and a bit of the third, unfortunately Subiaco got the jump on us in the first quarter and it was always going to be tough to get back,” he said.
In a disappointing first quarter Peel were unable to hit the scoreboard, with Subiaco kicking four unanswered goals and leading at quarter time by 28 points.
Grey said it was important to have a fast start in the first term, but the team couldn’t deliver.
“We knew going in that Subiaco are a really good side and what we wanted was to get on top early,” he said.
“I guess footy’s that way, when you’re 28 points down at quarter time it’s always tough to get back.”
In the second term Peel lifted their pressure to reduce Subiaco’s lead to 16 points.
Grey kicked Peel’s first major within the first five minutes of the quarter, and went on to gather 20 disposals and two goals.
He said his coach’s message at quarter time was to go back to the basics and be competitive around the ball.
“They jumped us around the contests, and the clearances, so we just had to get back to basics, a bit of man on man and use the ball a lot better than we did in the first quarter.”
In the second half, the Thunder kept fighting, reducing the Lion’s lead to 19 points at three-quarter time.
Subiaco would blow out their lead in the final term, kicking five goals to Peel’s one, finishing with a 46-point victory over the home side.
Fremantle ruckman Jonathon Griffin was a standout performer in the game with 43 hit-outs and 11 marks.
Grey said Griffin’s experience is important to the team’s success.
“I’ve been with him the last four years and he continues to grow every year.”
“We know when he plays for Peel Thunder he always brings his best effort and we knew we had an advantage in the ruck.”
Fremantle forward Matthew Taberner had another solid game with 25 disposals and two goals.
Grey said Taberner’s form has improved over the last few weeks.
“He’s certainly a vocal point for us in the forward line, we basically have our structures around Tabs,” he said.
With the large amount of youth coming into the league side, Grey has high hopes for Peel’s future.
“We had a lot of kids play today, and it was great to play my first game with them,” he said.
“We’ve got a really bright future down here, and we’ll take some positives out of a loss and look forward to next week.”
Peel Thunder face Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval on 29 July at 2:15pm.
