PEEL Thunder coach Cam Shepherd said inexperience was the biggest factor in his side’s season-ending 84-point loss to East Perth at Bendigo Bank Stadium.
A win would have resulted in Peel sealing a spot in the finals, but they were overrun from start to finish by a dominant Royals outfit.
Shepherd said the heavy loss had been a valuable lesson for his young side and said East Perth’s experienced AFL-listed players showed their class.
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READ NOW“We came in with hope of winning and getting into the finals and continuing our season, but it wasn’t to be, East Perth were far better than us,” he said.
“They just had winners all over the field, we were very inexperience, but with saying that, the experience of big games is what we want for our young players.”
Danyle Pearce turned down a farewell game for Fremantle in a bid to help Peel reach the finals and finished with 29 disposals and a goal.
His coach was quick to praise him for his performances and commitment all season long.
“He was probably our best player again, he had a stellar season and I really commend him on his attitude and effort,” he said.