The Peel Thunderbirds paid homage to their biggest fan, Madi Molloy, in the best way possible when they took down Swan Districts for the first time ever on Sunday.
The annual Madi’s Day Cup match pits Peel against Swans in a game fueled with emotion each year, but until Sunday afternoon the Thunderbirds were yet to register a win against the perennial powerhouse.
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But five goals from Kira Phillips, a stunning day out from Sabreena Duffy and some dominant ruck work from Sonia Dorizzi paved the way for Peel to right that wrong, as they took down Swans 10.6 (66) to 2.7 (19).
The Thunderbirds kept Swans scoreless in the opening term as they broke away for a 14-point lead at the first change.
From there they were able to increase their lead at every change to run the game out 47-point victors.
Phillips starred with her five-goal haul leading the way for the Thunderbirds, but it was the young and prodigious Duffy that took out the Madi Molloy medal for her best afield performance.
Duffy was electrifying through the middle of the ground, benefiting from Dorizzi’s crisp hit-outs at the stoppages.
She was also able to sneak forward and score a goal, hitting the scoreboard alongside Bailey Molloy, Ava Muir, Kate Bartlett and Bethany Bond.
Dorizzi finished second in the voting for the best afield medal, with AFL Women’s talent Katie Grieve in third.
Kerrilee Brown played her first game of the season in fine touch, collecting a bundle of intercept marks in defence.
Peel Thunderbirds coach Mark Fenton was rapt with his side’s first win over Swan Districts, which lifted them to first on the WA Women’s Football League ladder.
“I was really happy with how we ran out four quarters, and that’s something we’ve been working on,” he said.
“We recognise Swans weren’t at full strength, but last week we let the lead slip a little against Subiaco so to fix that was very pleasing.
“Also just to get a win on Madi’s Day, that means so much to our club.”
Peel is now undefeated three games into the season, along with their reserves and Rogers Cup youth girls, who also remain unbeaten.
“It’s an exciting time for our club to have nine wins from nine games,” Fenton said.
“I know in the league we were looking at the start of the season as our toughest stretch, and going 0-4 seemed a real possibility.
“Now if we win next week we’ll be 4-0, so that’s something we really want to tick off.”
Peel will square off with East Fremantle in a battle of the only remaining unbeaten teams on Sunday, with the victor taking sole possession of top spot.