MATCH REPORT: PEEL THUNDER VS EAST PERTH - WAFL ROUND 1

Peel Thunder kicked off this season with a win last night against East Perth at the Medibank Stadium in Leederville

East Perth’s back pocket player Mitchell Fraser had to be escorted off the field with what looked to be a knee injury in the first quarter.

A fantastic performance from Leroy Jetta who kicked four of the seven goals for peel in the game and had 16 disposals under his belt by the final siren.

Team captain Gerard Ugle praised Jetta’s performance saying it was great to have him back on the team.

“great to have him back, he was a big out for us last year” Ugle said

“for him to come back and kick four goals, his pressure over the ground is amazing, so its been good having him back.”

This game was the first for Jetta after a two year suspension delivered in the appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

By the end of the third quarter Peel had a comfortable lead of 6.10 (40) to 1.9 (15) against East Perth who seemed unable to match Peels efficiency.

Coach Cam Shepherd seemed happy with the team’s progress at three-quarter time praising the pressure from the forward line calling it a ‘highlight’ of the game.

East Perth managed to close the gap with three goals and three points in the fourth quarter compared to one goal and one point for Peel.

Peel Thunder captain Gerard Ugle attributed East Perth’s success in the fourth quarter to luck saying “I think they just got a couple of lucky goals I guess, our structures just sort of stuffed up there so I guess they got goals through our mistakes.”

East Perth were unable to seal the deal though with stand out Peel player Traye Bennel working hard to slow their progress.

Peel Thunder player Brady Grey who was returning from injury finished the game with 17 disposals under his belt, he said it was great to get a win against East Perth.

“it was a great win for us against East Perth which is a West Coast team so a bit of a mini derby for us. The guys really got up, we had a really good pre-season, couple of really good wins in the pre season comp so the Freo boys and the Peel boys play really well together and it was great to get the result.”

He agreed with Team Captain Ugle on Jetta’s performance in the game, saying the team knows what he brings.

“Y’know he’s had a really tough 12 months with the essendon saga but it was great to have him back out there and we know what he brings. He kicked four goals so he’s going to have that impact for us most weeks so its great to have him back on the team.

Team captain Gerard Ugle said Peel wasn’t tipped to make the final last year but the team had surprised a lot of people and hoped the team could do the same this year.

Peel Thunder cemented their first victory of the season, with 7.11 (53) to East Perth’s score of 4.12 (36).