Peel Thunder’s Sean Darcy looks for a team mate while under pressure. Inset: Haydn Matthews bursts through a tackle.
Camera IconPeel Thunder’s Sean Darcy looks for a team mate while under pressure. Inset: Haydn Matthews bursts through a tackle. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

WAFL: rainy weather no problem for Thunder in historic win over Perth

Tim SlaterMandurah Coastal Times

It was the club’s highest score in the WAFL since joining the competition in 1997.

The Thunder was far too strong for the Demons, containing the home side to just one goal in the final quarter, ending the game 18.15 (123) to 5.3 (33).

Leroy Jetta was in top form, scoring three goals and three behinds for the side from just nine possessions, alongside Josh Deluca with three goals and one behind with 22 disposals.

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Sean Darcy, Hayden Ballantyne, Corey Morris and Jonathon Griffin kicked two goals each, contributing to Peel’s victory.

It wasn’t just the forwards who sealed the win, with the Thunder’s defence keeping a tight rein on Perth, which showed on the scoreboard, with Brennan Cox taking 18 marks.

He was well supported by Sam Collins, Luke Ryan, Alex Bray and Ryan Nyhuis.

Key forward Leroy Jetta said the impact the back line had on the team was crucial.

“They were great today,” he said.

“Coxy and Collins took a big toll down there; they have been awesome for us all year.”

Peel started the game strong with a goal in the first two minutes from Josh Deluca, but each goal the Thunder kicked was matched by one from the Demons.

This didn’t last long with, the Thunder kicking three unanswered goals to end the quarter.

The pace slowed down slightly at the end of the first quarter, with it becoming a game of kick-to-kick before the siren sounded.

The second quarter saw the 13-point lead extended to 42 points at the half-time break, with the Demons kicking only one late goal for the term in the 20th minute.

Costly turnovers in the forward 50 saw Peel lose valuable shots at goal but this did not stop the side from taking control of the third quarter, booting six goals against the Demons’ solitary goal.

As the rain picked up, so did the intensity of the game as the Thunder refused to drop in the final quarter.

The Demons struggled to get the ball into their forward 50 for the majority of the second half, going down to their biggest loss of the season.

Goals from Corey Morris, Josh Deluca and Blair Bell in the final term saw the Peel Thunder secure its fifth win of the season.

The Thunder will play Subiaco on June 3 at Rushton Park after the general bye.

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