YOUNGSTERS SHINE IN TOUGH LOSS

WASTED opportunities in front of goal have cost Peel a chance to open their account this season, going down to a  strong Perth outfit by 29 points in a low-scoring encounter at Bendigo Bank Stadium on Saturday.

Peel had the opportunity to kick away as early as the first term, but despite dominating general play, the home side could not capitalise on the scoreboard, booting a wayward 1.6 for the term.

But the momentum swung sharply in the second, as it was the Demons who had the ascendancy, but the visitors had their own bout of the goal kicking yips, booting 3.8 while reducing the Thunder scoreless for the term.

Peel looked down and out at half time, but the Thunder showed great character to drag themselves back into the game in the third, in what has been a trend this season.

The Thunder started to string consecutive goals together, as they managed to finally apply some scoreboard pressure, but again wasted a golden opportunity to wrest back the lead going into the final change.

They managed 4.5 for the term, while Perth only managed the one goal, and despite going into three-quarter-time behind by five points, the Peel faithful sensed something special.

But the class of an experienced Perth outfit came to the fore, led by skipper Paul Bevan with two goals and Cale Morton with 29 touches, as the Demons kicked away to win by 29.

Despite another tough loss, the Thunder were again buoyed by the performance of the young brigade, with 17-year-old key defender Dylan Winton showing the skills that saw him drafted into the State Under 18s squad.

Winton’s performance belied his experience, notching up 23 disposals across half-back in a fantastic display.

In a similar vein, Josh Mathers was prolific with 28 disposals in just his fifth game, and coach Cam Shepherd said the way the young players assume responsibility every week points to a bright future for Peel.

With such a young group at his disposal, Shepherd said the onus was on inexperienced players to quickly pick up the requirements of WAFL football, and there were numerous examples of youngsters doing just that.

“It’s something we look very positively on in the first six weeks, we’ve been able to expose some of our younger and less experienced players to the WAFL level, and they’ve responded,” Shepherd said.

Winton will soon join League regular Ben Hancock and promising midfielder Bradley Walsh in the WA Under 18s squad, which is indicative of the young talent at the club.

“The exposure of WAFL League level is going to stand those players in really good stead, and we think they’re going to be fine players for our club, and hopefully get drafted,” Shepherd said.

While young players are stepping up to the plate every week, Shepherd said the more experienced players were following suit, as shown by evergreen veteran Brendan Jones’ prolific season, which continued with 29 touches.

Kepler Bradley also impressed in his second game back after a long injury lay off with 24 touches, and Shepherd maintained that consistency of effort would translate into success.

But he demanded improvement across the board.

“As we get synergy with the group, and things will develop from there,” he said.