Peel Thunder have snapped a three-game losing streak with a 20-point victory against the Claremont Tigers on Saturday at Rushton Park.
The Tigers led by two points at half-time before Peel Thunder finished the game with a three-goal final quarter to win 14.14 (98) to 11.12 (78).
Fremantle Docker Tom North says the Thunder need to maintain their momentum.
“Obviously, [it’s been] a tough start to the year for the boys but [we’re] back on the winners list, so hopefully we can keep the momentum going,” he said.
Harley Bennell’s first game back in the WAFL for 2018 saw him gather nine touches, three marks and two tackles, despite his limited game time.
North said Bennell worked hard for his comeback.
“I thought it was great and it’s a credit to him, he’s worked really hard to get back in the side, so hopefully he continues on that and plays some good footy,” he said.
Peel started the game strong with five goals to Claremont’s two, however the Tigers managed to pull ahead to a two-point lead going into half-time.
A flurry of goals from the Thunder ensured the win with eight goals to Claremont’s five in the second half.
North said the team focused on applying pressure during the half-time meeting.
“We had a great start to the game and then the second quarter died down a little bit,” he said.
“Our emphasis was just to chase, tackle, put on more pressure and come out on top with the win, I thought we did that really well.”
North said fellow Freo Docker Stefan Giro was over the ball throughout the game and did well in his return from injury.
“He was great, he’s obviously come back from a knee injury, he’s worked so hard and I think he’s been great so far and today was great form from him,” he said.
Luke Strnadica was one of Peel’s best with twenty-one hit outs and sixteen disposals.
Tom North said Strnadica, Michael Apeness (21 hit outs) and Scott Jones (19 hit outs) made for good targets.
“Sometimes we lose the clearances but its off their hit outs, so we’ve just got to keep using them and they’re also great targets up forward, so it’s great having them on our side,” he said.
Peel Thunder have the bye next week and will host the ladder-leaders Subiaco at Rushton Park the following week on Saturday 19 May with bouncedown at 2.10pm.
