UNDERMANNED DEMONS FALL TO THUNDER

Article By Mark Thornber

Photos By Kerrie-Ann Pendal

Round 19, Perth v Peel

Lathlain Park , Saturday 2 August 2014

Perth                           4.3       7.1        11.2      12.3      75

Peel                             3.4       9.6       15.9      21.14    140

An undermanned Perth side held a star studded Peel side well up until the last quarter before the Thunder ran away to win a spiteful match by 65 points.

In fine conditions for football both sides started the match well with the ball going from end to end. Mark Deaves converted truly at the 3 minutes mark, however this was soon answered by Peel.

Perth was well served by a hard working midfield led by Dene White and Adian Tropiano. While Perth was getting plenty of the ball it was obvious to all watching that they were completely outsized with the Thunder having a huge height advantage with Michael Griffiths and Jack Hannath.

The home side kicked another goal through the lively Mathew Moody and Wingman Michael Florio before Peel answered just before quarter time as Perth led by 3 points at the first change.

The second term saw former Demon Brendon Jones team well with Docker Anthony Morabito to continually drive the Thunder forward where their height advantage was causing the Demons backline plenty of headaches.

Perth did have some good passages of play in the second quarter as Deaves kicked his 3^rd goal and Kieran Hug snapped truly, however they were unable to make any inroads on the Thunder’s lead as they took an advantage of 17 points into the half time break.

The third term saw Perth really come out after half time and show some true fight. Daniel O’Sullivan kicked Perth’s 8^th goal with a clever left foot snap and this was soon followed by another to the talented Cameron Manuel.

The home side was now within 11 points and playing some good team football. The Thunder though just seemed to have all the answers as their tall forward line kicked quick goals through Michael Wood and Jack Hannath.

Despite O’Sullivan bobbing up with another similar left foot goal to get the Demons back in the match Jones snapped cleverly for Peel as they took a lead of 25 points into three quarter time.

Finishing with the breeze Peel kicked 2 quick goals and seemed to be full of run over a tiring Perth side that was limited in rotations with Mitch Leyendekkers, Chance Bateman and Florio all not fully fit.

Missing up to 10 regular league players Perth simply had no answer to the superior fitness and running power of Peel as they ran away to kick 6 goals to 1 to win the match comfortably.

None worked harder for the Demons than Ugle and Tropiano, however they lacked support over four quarters and Deaves was an effective forward booting 4 majors.

Next week Perth tackles the Tigers at the Showgroungs.

Goals: Deaves 4, Moody, O’Sullivan 2, Florio, Manuel, Hug, Ugle 1.

Best:  Ugle, Tropiano, White, Deaves, O’Sullivan, Moody.