Fremantle forward Matt Taberner kicked a career-high six goals for Peel Thunder as his side further solidified their position in the top five with a 30-point win over West Perth at HBF Arena.
Peel set up their fourth win in-a-row during an opening half which saw them kick eight straight majors to West Perth’s eight behinds.
The Thunder were incredibly accurate in front of the sticks, kicking 15 goals straight before registering their first behind in the last quarter.
West Perth had 25 more inside-50’s for the game, but couldn’t capitalise on their entries as a strong Peel defence held them out for a 16.3 (99) to 9.15 (69) victory.
Fremantle defender Sam Collins, who finished with 25 disposals and 12 marks, said he was thrilled with Taberner’s effort throughout the game.
“I thought Matt Taberner really stood up today and obviously kicked a few goals which was good but his work rate around the ground is really impressive,” he said.
Collins applauded the Thunder’s forwards for providing strong defensive pressure up the ground.
“Our total team defence was intact today with the forwards strong pressure,” he said.
“The forwards buy a lot of time for us defenders and midfielders to get in position.”
Collins also had praise for Fremantle ruckman Jonathon Griffin, who finished with 15 disposals and 42 hit-outs.
“He was challenged going into the game and I thought he really rucked well and competed well,” he said.
In Cam Shepherd’s 100th game in charge of Peel, The Thunder made the most of their opportunities in the first quarter, kicking five unanswered goals from six inside-50’s.
Collins said he felt very privileged to have learnt from Shepherd over the last two years.
“Obviously, he’s in a role at Fremantle during the day and then down at Peel in the afternoon, so the way he builds chemistry between the two is really good and makes us a united team going forward,” he said.
“So, on game day we come out with a clear focus, knowing who we are running out with and having a strong belief in each other.”
In his first game back after almost two months away from competitive football, Fremantle midfielder Harley Balic booted the first goal of the game and finished with 24 possessions.
The start of the second term saw Matt Taberner begin his on-field dominance with two majors in two minutes.
Sam Collins was arguably the best for Peel at half time as they kept the Falcons goalless and opened up a 40-point lead at the main break.
Despite a strong effort from West Perth in the third term, The Thunder continued to make it count on the scoreboard, with Fremantle midfielder Cam Sutcliffe kicking three majors to take his tally to four for the afternoon.
It was the first time this year that a WAFL team hadn’t registered a behind by three quarter time.
In the final term Taberner booted four goals in a commanding display up forward to secure Peel a 30-point win over the Falcons.
Next week The Thunder will take on sixth-placed East Perth at Leederville Oval on Saturday 15 July.
