Peel Thunder make history with first finals win

Putting on a show in front of their home crowd, Peel controlled the match for the majority of the four quarters, with Shepherd labeling the display a complete team effort.

“You don’t win finals with just a couple of good players – you need 22 contributors and that’s what we had on Sunday,” he said.

“We had very few, if any, weak links so it was pleasing for me to see the team really buy in.”

The Thunder started the match in dominant form, winning the midfield battle early. As if it was pre-scripted, Peel hero Rory O’Brien nailed the first goal with a 50-metre bomb from a set shot.

Peel piled on the pressure and dashed out to a 4.6 (30) to 0.2 (2) lead at the first break.

Matt de Boer was dominant in the midfield while fellow Fremantle-listed teammate Michael Apeness took a number of contested marks in the forward line.

East Perth made a scrap of the game in the second quarter and managed to inch their way back with three goals, but the Thunder kept them in line and maintained their four-goal lead at the half time break.

The Royals continued to push in the third but again the Thunder thwarted their attempts. By the fourth term, East Perth’s ability to keep up gave out as Peel kept them scoreless and ran away with the 49-point win.

Shepherd said he was ecstatic with the pressure his side put on the West Coast-affiliate Royals.

“You sort of build your reputation in the finals by playing high-pressure football, so I was impressed with the way the boys tackled and forced errors,” he said.

“East Perth were quite good in the third quarter so I was happy the boys didn’t allow them to get back in the contest.”

In a game where all Thunder players contributed to the win, a number of defenders stood out.

Alex Silvagni was a pillar of reliability for the Thunder, taking 11 marks and intercepting countless East Perth forward entries, while Sam Collins generated plenty of play off half-back.

“Our defence really stood out to me – I think they played a huge part in the win,” Shepherd said.

“To keep a good side like East Perth to five goals is a great achievement.”

Around the ground, Brayden Lawler’s pressure was noticeable while Shane Yarran dominated in the forward line with three goals.

Shepherd said the win, which saw 17 Fremantle-listed players take to the field, outlined the strength of Peel’s affiliation with the Dockers.

“I think it shows the strength and success of the alignment,” Shepherd said.

The Thunder will now look to carry their momentum into a semi final against West Perth, who were demolished by South Fremantle on Saturday.