In one of the games of the season, West Perth has defeated Peel Thunder by four points in a pulsating contest at Bendigo Bank Stadium on Saturday.
The game ebbed and flowed from the opening bounce to the final siren, with the Thunder agonisingly close to securing a famous win when a late snap from Josh Deluca on goal narrowly missed.
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The siren cancelled out an attempted mark from Ed Langdon 25m from goal, leaving the Thunder players desolate and the Falcons elated.
It was a cruel end to an absorbing and freewheeling encounter which saw West Perth prevail 17.9 (111) to 17.5 (107).
Matt de Boer (28 disposals, 14 tackles and a goal), Jacob Ballard (32 disposals) and Connor Blakely (34 disposals) were all influential in the middle, while Craig Moller shined in the absence of Jon Griffin, combining with Jack Hannath for 68 hit-outs.
Leroy Jetta bounced back after a quiet game last week with four goals, while Max Duffy also booted four goals from 18 touches.
But Peel coach Cam Shepherd said the heartbreaking loss had stung the players.
“It’s pretty raw,” Shepherd said.
“Any close loss is hard to take, and there was a real hurt from the players, they were very disappointed they had lost the game.”
Shepherd said his team responded well after losing to Claremont last week.
“I’m pleased [with the response] to a degree, but I would have been more pleased if we had kicked an extra goal,” Shepherd said.
“There were areas that we need to improve each week, defensively we have work to do.”
The fast-paced nature of the game was enthralling for spectators, however Shepherd said the free-wheeling game style wasn’t by design.
“We went to play our style of play, but we were disappointed with how many free kicks we gave away inside West Perth’s forward 50, and in the end that has had an impact in the game, so that is an area we have to improve on.”
Craig Moller was a standout in tandem with Jack Hannath, with the dreadlocked ruckman producing one of his most productive games for the Thunder opposed to in-form ruckman Chris Keunen, with 33 hit-outs and a goal.
“He’s improved, and both Jack and Craig gave our mids first use, and they are both young, developing players who showed good things today,” Shepherd said.
The first quarter was a free wheeling affair, with both sides booting six goals each to be level at the first change.
Both sides traded goals from the outset, with Josh Bootsma’s fleeting foray forward resulting in Jetta’s first inside the opening four minutes.
Peel’s build-up through the midfield helped the home side open up a 24-point advantage midway through the opening term.
But the Falcons responded with two goals on the cusp of quarter time to draw level.
The visitors continued their momentum with the first two of the second quarter, before an avalanche of goals in the third term saw both sides enter the final change locked at 15.4 (94) apiece.
Brayden Lawler is one injury concern for the Thunder ahead of next week’s encounter with East Perth.
He sustained a rib injury in the second quarter and will be monitored throughout the week.
