DEMONS FALL SHORT AGAINST THUNDER

Round 22, Perth v Peel

Lathlain Park , Saturday 22 August 2015

Perth                           5.5       6.6       11.7      13.9      87

Peel                             2.6       7.11      10.13    14.16    100

Perth were very competitive against a much taller Peel side with the Thunder eventually shrugging off the Demons to win by 13 points in overcast conditions at Lathlain Park on Saturday.

Perth went into the match lacking height especially in the backline with key defenders Brent Latch and David Johnson being late withdrawals. The home side started well however with youngster Todd Stevenson kicking the first goal at the five minute mark and then bounced through another.

Aidan Tropiano along with key midfielders Dene White and Liam McKenna were all picking up important touches as the Demons looked sharp early in the match. The Thunder kicked a couple of quick goals half way through the term, however with late goals to Brett Wolfenden and McKenna Perth took a 17 point lead into quarter time after kicking 5 goals 5 to 2 goals 6.

The second term saw the match change completely with the Thunder taking control in the ruck through Zac Clarke before going off the ground injured and having the luxury of playing talls Craig Moller and Jack Hammath both up forward to good effect.

Peel added 4 goals to Perth’s 1 major right on the siren when Callum Walley snapped truly to lead Perth by 11 points at half time.

The second half again saw Peel jump out to a handy 4 goal lead as former Demon Brendon Jones was proving damaging along with Clancy Pearce. To Perth’s credit though they really lifted their work rate during the time on period of the third quarter, which saw clever goals to Walley and Edmonds.

Perth had now drawn level with their more fancied opponents at three quarter time with the match now up for grabs.

The first goal of the last term was always going to be vital and unfortunately for Perth fans in was Peel through big man Hammath that hit the scoreboard first. The Thunder kicking to the scoring end seem to have all the answers and were finishing the better again kicking consectitive majors to open up a 3 goal lead.

Close to time on Peel Captain Jones kicked a great 50 metre running goal to seal the match for the visitors. Perth did however manage a couple of late majors with Wally kicking his 4^th and promising youngster Marshall Jones his first, however the fight back came too late as Peel hung on to win by 13 points.

Once again Tropiano was outstanding for the home side amassing a game high 35 possessions and was well supported by Morton and McKenna with Stevenson showing promise as a key forward by booting 4 majors.

Next week Perth plays the Sharks at ATOM Stadium in the final match for the year.

Goals: Stephenson 4, Walley 3, Polak 2, McKenna, Wolfenden, Jones, Edmonds 1.

Best: Tropiano, Morton, Walley, McKenna, White, Eyres.