WAFL 2024: Peel Thunder go top after second half turnaround downs spirited Perth

A fired-up Perth threatened to pull off an almighty upset over Peel but a third quarter blitz saw the Thunder claim their spot at the top of the WAFL ladder. Aaron Clarke (four goals) and Charlie Constable (32 disposals, eight clearances) did their best to cause a boilover in front of a vocal home ground but the class of Peel eventually shone through in the 13.8 (86) to 10.7 (67) win. Neil Erasmus (34 disposals, nine clearances) and Will Brodie (29 disposals, five clearances) managed to get off the chain and led a second half turnaround after the Demons had kicked four straight goals to take the lead deep into the second quarter. Despite giving up the first goal to Cooper Simpson the Demons grew into the opening quarter and arguably had the better chances as the Thunder butchered the ball at times. But Peel’s elite midfield was a constant threat on the counter highlighted by Taj Wyburd’s goal having set up the attack from half-back only moments earlier. However, despite Perth’s lack of personnel, their effort could not be questioned epitomised by Kane Johnston’s three or four repeated efforts to keep the ball alive under pressure and allow Aaron Clarke his first goal. But goals to Matt Taberner and Nathan Wilson ensured the Thunder were comfortable leaders as frustrations boiled over with a large scuffle seeing plenty of push and shove just before quarter time. This seemed to fire up the Demons as they went end to end to give Clarke his second while they outworked Peel’s defence with Austin Davies finding enough space to snap his first. The Thunder were trying to be too cute at times and the Demons’ pressure meant they were constantly coming up with the ball out of contests. Clarke’s third and Joseph Chaplin first had the margin back to one point before Blake Sclensog put them in front of a shell shocked Thunder. After a frustrating half Pat Voss finally clunked a mark and converted to stop the rot for Peel and give them a one point lead into the main break. Johnston second put the Demons back in front but it was here Perth’s challenge ran out of steam. They’d put in an immense amount of work to fight their way back into the contest but Peel finally snapped out of their funk to get on top in the midfield and break apart the Demons’ defence. The Thunder kicked six goals to three after half time to go top of the ladder after East Perth’s loss to Claremont. SCOREBOARD PEEL THUNDER 5.2, 7.3, 10.6, 13.8 (86) PERTH 2.1, 7.2, 8.3, 10.7 (67) Goals – PEEL THUNDER: M Taberner 3 L Colton 2 C Simpson 2 N Wilson O Jones P Voss S Kuek T Wyburd B Grey PERTH: A Clarke 4 J Chaplin 2 K Johnston 2 B Schlensog A Davis Best – PEEL THUNDER: B Grey N Erasmus W Brodie M Sellwood N O’Driscoll PERTH: B Schlensog A Clarke C Constable A Davis R Clarke Umpires: TBA Crowd: 1181 at Mineral Resources Park