Peel mid-season review

Tuesday, May 26, 2015 - 12:00 PM by Alex Paull

LADDER POSITION: 3rd


STATS THAT MATTER:

GOALS: Leroy Jetta (14)
KICKS: Jacob Ballard (113, average of 14.1 a game)
HANDBALLS: Connor Blakely (89, average 14.8)
DISPOSALS: Jacob Ballard (199, average 24.6)
MARKS: Ed Langdon (42, average 6)
TACKLES: Brayden Lawler (42, average 5.25)
HITOUTS: Jonathan Griffin (242, average 34.6)


WHILE externally Peel may have surprised a number of pundits, inside the four walls of the football club there is a burning desire for the Thunder to finally taste finals action after almost 20 years in the competition.

The Thunder sits third on the ladder after eight rounds, having already surpassed its four wins last year, and it is well-placed for a tilt at finals.

Consistency of performance was a feature in the early rounds, emphasised by a record-breaking four-game winning streak which included big scalps against 2014 preliminary finalists East Fremantle and 2014 Grand Finalist East Perth.

Leroy Jetta has added some serious potency to the forward line, booting 14 goals to be fourth overall in the league. Gerald Ugle has chimed in with seven running off half-back, while Fremantle defender Tom Vandeleur’s versatility has made him a strong marking target inside forward 50.

In the midfield, Jacob Ballard, Connor Blakely and skipper Brendon Jones provide the grunt, while young guns Lachie Weller and Ed Langdon supply the polish. This combination, in tandem with the likes of Max Duffy and Tendai Mzungu, has challenged the best midfields in the competition.

But arguably Peel’s greatest asset is the defensive unit, which has consistently repelled attacks while negating some of the league’s top forwards.

Peel’s defence is the second-stingiest in the league, conceding 75.75 points a game, and the early-season success could be attributed to the top work down back.

The early season also provided plenty of cause for celebration also, with Brendon Jones passing 200 games as well as 100 games for the club, making him only the fourth player in history to play 100 games for two clubs.

Hiccups against Swan Districts in Round 6 (47 points) and Subiaco in Round 7 (60 points) showed that the Thunder cannot afford any lapses in such a tight competition, but following the State game last week, the players should be refreshed ahead of a clash with Claremont at the Showgrounds on Saturday.

STANDOUT: Jacob Ballard
The big-bodied midfielder has been the most consistent player for Peel so far this season, and he has picked up from where he left off in 2014.
Ballard is averaging 24.6 disposals from eight games this season, while he is the 8th most prolific midfielder in the competition. His grunt around the stoppages has been influential, while he possesses great goal sense also.
With the Thunder well-placed after eight rounds to make a tilt at a maiden finals berth, expect Ballard to again be at the coalface, working hard on the inside to distribute to the outside runners.

RISING STAR: Brayden Lawler
Coming off two dominant seasons for Carey Park in the South West Football League, the 20-year-old has already cemented his spot in the side as a high half-forward.
Lawler is a tenacious and intense footballer, and that tenacity in the contest is reflected by his 42 tackles so far this season – ranked 2nd in the competition.
The frontal pressure supplied by Lawler and Leroy Jetta has created many scoring opportunities, and rising to the challenge of WAFL football is a credit to him.
He burst onto the scene in Round 2 with 13 touches, six tackles and a goal, and his start to the season has received strong praise from coach Cam Shepherd.

UNSUNG HERO: Josh Bootsma
After a couple of games at the end of last year, Bootsma trained the house down in the pre-season while showing the leadership that propelled him into the leadership group.
Defensively Peel has shone as a unit, and Bootsma has taken ownership of a back six that has performed consistently throughout the season.
Bootsma has combined well with the likes of Brady Grey, Josh Mathers and Alex Pearce to negate any opposition forward thrusts while still looking to create and set up play.
The former Carlton defender has come of age this season and is playing with the poise of a seasoned veteran.

 

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