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Thunder storms home and into finals contention

Peel Thunder has produced an astonishing fightback to storm past Claremont at Hands Oval in Bunbury and in doing so has kept themselves very much in contention for a berth in their first ever finals series.

The Thunder overturned an eight-goal half time deficit to stun the Tigers, 14.12 (96) to 12.11 (83) and claim the ‘Battle of Bunbury’.

Peel dynamo Hayden Ballantyne sparked his side into action after the long break with the first two goals of the second half as he quickly became the most influential player on the ground, finishing with four majors, after being well held by Clancy Rudeforth in the first half.

Ruckman Zac Beeck had a big impact in the centre square while Kane Bloxsidge was tireless around the clearances and Ben Howlett was probably the only player from both teams to play a solid four quarters of football.

In the first half spectators would have been wondering how Claremont could possibly be on the bottom of the ladder as Michael Cousins, Matt DeBoer and Jaxon Crabb dominated the midfield, Ian Rowe controlled the half back line and Anthony Jones (4 goals), Ian Richardson (3 goals), Chad Jones and David Crawford made the most of the numerous opportunities they were presented.

However, things turned sour in the second half for the Tigers as Peel increased their intensity and held their opponents goalless for the remainder of the match.

PEEL THUNDER 14.12 (96) def CLAREMONT 12.11 (83)

GOALS:
PEEL - Ballantyne 4, Rosa 2, Blosidge 2, Chapelhow 2, Bennell 1, Brown 1, Battye 1, Haines.
CLAREMONT - A Jones 4, Richardson 3, Crabb 2, Cousens 1, Crawford 1, C Jones 1.

BEST:
PEEL - Ballantyne, Howlett, Bloxsidge, Beeck, McDonald, Walsh.
CLAREMONT - Rowe, Warren, Cousens, A Jones, McGinnity, DeBoer.

DAVID LINDSAY