Peel Thunder primed for second finals campaign

It was a day of mixed emotions for the Thunder, who gave up a 26-point lead in the final quarter to the Lions but still managed to cement their club’s second finals campaign after East Perth and East Fremantle also suffered losses.

The Royals and Sharks now sit one game behind the Thunder on the ladder with one game to go.

However, the two sides play each other in the final match, meaning only one can catch the Thunder on premiership points, not enough to see the Thunder out of the top five.

The news of a second finals campaign comes after Peel showed encouraging signs in a gut-wrenching 12.4 (76) to 13.15 (93) against the Lions.

The Thunder were a class above the league-leaders for the first three quarters, but fell apart in a disastrous final quarter which saw them go scoreless and give up their lead.

But Peel will be able to take plenty of positives out of the match in the long-term, as they showed they are capable of taking it up to the best side in the competition.

The Thunder came out of the change rooms firing, with a blistering first quarter giving them a 24-point lead at the first break.

Blair Bell, who finished the day with five goals, booted two in the opening term and was dangerous up front.

But the Lions, being the top dogs of the WAFL, refused to lie down and hit back with three goals in the second. Peel was able to counter with two goals of their own, keeping the margin at 13-points during the break.

The Thunder resumed their domination in the third quarter, piling on five goals to Subiaco’s three and stretching the lead to 26 points at three-quarter-time.

Rory O’Brien was a force around the midfield, while Bell continued his strong form in front of goal.

But the Thunder fell away in the final quarter, as Subiaco showed their class and turned a 26-point deficit into a 17-point win.

O’Brien finished the game with 28 disposals and a goal, while Matt de Boer tallied 33 disposals.

Noah Hura joined a long list of Peel debutantes this season, booting a goal in his first league game for the club.