A five-goal last quarter saw Peel Thunder overcome an 11-point deficit to take down a vastly improved East Fremantle outfit in the WAFL season opener at Bendigo Bank Stadium on Good Friday.
The Sharks set themselves up nicely with a strong finish to the third term but couldn’t keep the ball rolling against the reigning premiers, who got over the line 11.12 (78) to 9.9 (63).
On a day where Peel Thunder got to unfurl a premiership flag to their home crowd for the second straight season, it was captain Gerald Ugle and the Fremantle-aligned Danyle Pearce that spurred the team to the win.
The Sharks shot out of the gates with the opening three goals of the game.
Despite losing boom recruit Blaine Boekhorst in the opening term, they were able to maintain their supremacy for the majority of the quarter until Sean Darcy and Brady Grey inspired a fightback for the home team.
Peel managed to cut the lead to a goal by quarter time, but the Sharks responded and clutched to their slim lead throughout the second.
Pearce, who finished the day with 32 disposals, powered on at the start of the second half while Ugle hit the scoreboard with one of his three goals.
Brayden Lawler and Haydn Matthews showed off their trademark pressure with nine tackles apiece, as the duo instigated a run that saw Peel take the lead midway through the third.
But the Sharks, who look to be a much more competitive outfit in season 2018, refused to lay down and wrestled their advantage back with some stunning efforts from Jonathon Marsh and George Hampson.
They had all the momentum heading into the final stage, but it turned out to be all Thunder.
Traye Bennell was exemplary in the final quarter, particularly running the ball out of defence, and helped spark several passages that resulted in scoring opportunities for Peel.
The Thunder managed to take the lead on the back of his hard work before Darcy Tucker topped off his 28-disposal effort with the goal that put the game out of reach.
Peel will front up to Steel Blue Oval in round two as they take on Swan Districts.
Takeaways
- A few Fremantle-based Peel players went down with injuries throughout the game, including forward Hugh Dixon who limped the bench in the second half.
- Former Essendon gun Ben Howlett impressed for his first game back in Peel Thunder colours, collecting 18 disposals and laying six tackles.
- East Fremantle competed hard all day despite being down a rotation when Boekhorst went off. Jayden Schofield (33 disposals) and George Hampson (25) shouldered the load.
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
