Led by a solid Tendai Mzungu, Peel Thunder have secured a home final for the second straight season as they defeated Claremont 10.10 (70) to 6.9 (45) at the Showgrounds on Saturday.
Mzungu finished with 34 possessions, six marks and snapped a crucial goal seconds before the three-quarter-time siren, while ruckman Jack Hannath provided a vital tall target in the forward line, finishing with 12 possessions, 17 hit-outs and two goals.
Fremantle defender Ethan Hughes said that Mzungu provided a great example for his Peel teammates.
“Tendai is a mature head out there,” Hughes said.
Yarran stoked to register first win
“He brings a lot of attack to the ball, and as long as he can keep on leading by example, everyone else can follow along.”
In a game marred by miserable and unpredictable conditions, the Thunder kicked the first four goals of the game and led by 25 points at quarter time, setting up a commanding position.
Tanner Smith started the game brightly, kicking two goals in the opening 20 minutes before a hamstring injury sidelined him for the rest of the game.
Hughes said it was a disappointment to see his Fremantle teammate go down again.
“It’s tough for him, having got himself back into the side.”
Despite being reduced to 20 fit players in the second half after Blair Bell joined Smith on the sidelines, and with the Tigers threatening to storm home in the final term, the Thunder dug deep and produced a great defensive effort led by Sam Collins (11 possessions, five marks and five tackles) and Anthony Morabito (21 possessions, seven marks) to avoid a repeat of last week’s fadeout against Subiaco, restricting the dangerous Tigers to just 45 points for the game, their lowest ever score against the Thunder.
Another outstanding performance came from Zac Clarke in the ruck and around the ground, finishing with 20 possessions, 25 hit-outs and six marks.
Win showed Pav how much he means
Hughes said that Clarke’s efforts were crucial to the Thunder victory.
“Zac brings a lot, his contested marking around the ground was crucial today and there were several times where he was able to jump in, take the mark and send us back into attack, it was a great performance.”
Other Fremantle listed players Josh Deluca (28 possessions) and Nick Suban (25 possessions) saw plenty of the ball thanks to Clarke’s performance in the ruck, while Harley Balic continued his recovery from injury, finishing with 17 possessions in his first league appearance.
Peel are now into their second consecutive finals series, and will take on affiliate rivals East Perth in an Elimination Final at Rushton Park next weekend.
