Thunder strike! Peel hold off Royals to snare WAFL flag

by Admin
September 22, 2024

Redemption is Peel Thunder’s in 2024 after a blistering third quarter against East Perth set up the third premiership in the club’s history.

A year after a disastrous decider against East Fremantle, the Thunder proved too composed and clinical for the Royals, flexing their muscles after half-time to stormed to a 33-point win at Optus Stadium.

Led by Fremantle-listed midfielders Neil Erasmus (26 disposals, 11 tackles, six clearances and two goals) and Nathan O’Driscoll (29 disposals), the Thunder broke the game open in an 11-minute period during the third term when they kicked four consecutive goals.

They were then able to hold off a fast-finishing Royals in a frantic final quarter, avenging last year’s disappointing defeat with a 14.8 (92) to 8.11 (59) victory in front of more than 25,000 fans.

East Perth ruckman Scott Jones (16 disposals, six clearances and 51 hit-outs) was heroic in the second half to try to get his side back into the contest, while speedster Stan Wright (28 disposals) ran hard all day off half-back.

But Erasmus proved a class above all players on the ground, snaring the Simpson Medal for best afield after one of the best performances of his young career.

Neil Erasmus starred. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper/The West Australian

The Thunder held their nerve in the bigger moments and it was telling in the result, absorbing the Royals’ best punches in the final term before booting four goals to end the match.

East Perth came out with an intent to make the game a scrap and it worked when Sam Van Diemen (three goals) kicked the opener from a forward 50 stoppage.

A skill error from the usually reliable Wright, who kicked the ball out on the full in defence, opened the door for Matt Taberner who kicked their first.

Taberner could’ve made it two in a few minutes but missed a simple set shot straight in front.

Matt Taberner celebrates an early goal. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper/The West Australian

After a week of wondering if he’d get the nod to play after missing seven weeks with a foot injury, Royals co-captain Hamish Brayshaw (23 disposals and seven tackles) was having an immense impact.

Brayshaw struggled to run in transition but in the contest, he used his footy smarts to collect 10 touches and kick a clutch goal just before the first break.

Peel looked to have broken the game open in the second as Erasmus began to show his class, kicking two goals – albeit one from a contentious free kick – and dominated around the ground.

The Royals fumbled under pressure and were making poor errors, but they willed the ball forward late in the term to get a goal through James Sturrock.

Liam Reidy looks to shrug a tackle. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper/The West Australian

East Perth were desperate for a marking target inside 50 so coach Ross McQueen sent Harrison Macreadie (two goals) into attack leaving Zach Hill to play on Peel spearhead Pat Voss.

The move had an instant impact but not for the Royals with Voss finding Hill out of position to kick the first goal of the second half.

Macreadie didn’t have to wait long to respond though as the Royals kicked consecutive goals through the defender and Van Diemen to get them within three points.

Errors from East Perth continued to be their Achilles heel and the Thunder’s class ensured they made the Royals pay.

They kicked four unanswered goals to blow the lead back out to 28 points and give East Perth a monumental task to win the premiership.

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East Perth co-captains Brayshaw and Christian Ameduri missed chances just before the break and to add salt into the wounds, the ball went coast-to-coast which ended in a Corey Tregenza goal.

Needing something special, the Royals got it through Van Diemen who just beat the siren with a snap for his third giving them some life heading into the final term.

With nothing to lose the Royals went into an al-out attack mode and the Thunder shut down, which opened up the door for the minor premiers.

Goals to Tom Medhat and Macreadie got the East Perth back within 10 points, but the Thunder got shut the door with two goals in a minute to Pat Voss and Cooper Simpson to ensure the premiership was heading down the freeway.

Fittingly, Blair Bell kicked the last goal of the game as he became Peel’s only three-time premiership player in club history.

SCOREBOARD

PEEL THUNDER 1.3, 4.7, 10.8, 14.8 (92)

EAST PERTH 2.2, 3.4, 6.6, 8.11 (59)

Goals – PEEL THUNDER: B Bell 2 N Erasmus 2 C Simpson 2 P Voss 2 N Wilson 2 N O’Driscoll M Taberner C Tregenza S Tuia. EAST PERTH: S Van Diemen 3 H Macreadie 2 H Brayshaw T Medhat J Sturrock.

Best – PEEL THUNDER: N Erasmus N O’Driscoll K Worner S Tuia M Sellwood L Reidy. EAST PERTH: S Jones S Wright H Brayshaw K Willcocks L Tedesco S Van Diemen.

Injuries – PEEL THUNDER: B Grey (head) K Worner (head).

Umpires: C Snadden M Adams T McPhee B Laycock. Crowd: 25,481 at Optus Stadium.