Round 9 – Peel Thunder v Swan Districts Match ReportMonday, May 15, 2017 - 12:33 AM - by Chris Pike

PEEL Thunder's rollercoaster ride so far in 2017 as reigning premiers continued Saturday with the upward trend continuing with a strong 21-point victory over Swan Districts at Bendigo Bank Stadium.

Peel made it consecutive victories to consolidate a spot inside the top-five after kicking the only four goals of the third quarter on home turf to set up the eventual 12.12 (84) to 9.9 (63) victory over Swan Districts.

Having started their premiership defence with two straight wins, the Thunder went on a four-game losing slide before bouncing back last week with a win over Claremont and now making it up against Swans to improve to a 4-4 record.

Swan Districts, meanwhile, after starting the season winning its opening four games now slip to 5-3 having lost three of its last four matches.

First-year Fremantle-listed ruckman Sean Darcy played his best game of the season for Peel putting in a particularly strong effort when forward kicking four goals from nine kicks and five marks.

Jonathon Griffin also delivered a strong showing in the ruck with 17 disposals, six marks, five tackles, 29 hit outs and a goal opposed to both Jake Nuich and Corey Gault from Swans.

Premiership forward Blair Bell also played what was likely his best game of 2017 with two goals to go with 19 possessions and seven marks.

Tom Sheridan again put his hand up for a Fremantle recall with a terrific performance in the midfield for Peel ending up with 34 possessions, eight marks and six tackles.

Veteran on-baller Rory O'Brien also had 26 disposals for the Thunder while Luke Ryan finished with 24 touches (13 marks), Brennan Cox 20 (eight marks), Griffin Logue 19 (seven marks), Haydn Matthews 18, Michael Humble 18 and Corey Morris 17.

Premiership small defender Ryan Nyhuis was also terrific down back and kept Taryce Stewart to three kicks and no score.

Swan Districts was down on experience with Xavier Ellis and Tallan Ames joining Ryan Crowley already out of the team. The black-and-whites will now be hoping the trio will be right to return following the upcoming two-week break with the state game and bye.

Tony Notte, Ricky Cary and Todd Banfield all kicked two goals apiece for Swans.

Kirk Ugle was outstanding down back for the black-and-whites all but securing his place in the WAFL state team to play the VFL in Melbourne in two weeks' time. Not only did he keep Leroy Jetta to one goal and eight kicks, but had 21 possessions and five marks himself.

Jesse Turner ended up racking up 31 possessions, nine marks and a goal for Swan Districts while Adam Faulkner picked up 28 disposals, Matt Riggio 27, Jamie Bennell 25, Jackson Slater 22 and Warrick Wilson 20.

Both teams failed to really get going in the opening quarter with just the one goal apiece. Peel got the first with Darcy kicking his first of four for the day before Notte kicked one for Swans just before quarter-time to see his team up by a point at the first break.

It took another seven minutes for the first goal of the second term as well but it went Peel's way thanks to Jetta. Swans responded through Turner to tie scores up again at the 12-minute mark.

The black-and-whites then moved in front by a goal before the Thunder got on a roll leading into half-time with majors to Darcy, Bell, Zac Dawson and Darcy again to be 15 points to the good by half-time.

Swans did manage the first goal of the third term with Cary booting his second of the game and they did close to within eight points, but again the Thunder had the required response.

Goals to Bell, Griffin, Ben Hancock and O'Brien saw Peel open a match-winning 39-point lead by three quarter-time.

Swans did kick five goals to two in the last quarter but that only served to cut the final margin to 21 points.

Peel will look to make it three straight wins up against Perth at Lathlain Park on Saturday while Swan Districts has the bye and then another week off with the state game before playing Perth at Lathlain Park in Round 11.

PEEL THUNDER            1.3    6.7    10.9    12.12    (84)
SWAN DISTRICTS        1.4    4.4    4.6    9.9    (63)

PEEL THUNDER – Goals: Darcy 4; Bell 2; Dawson, O'Brien, Jetta, Thorne, Hancock, Griffin.
Best: Sheridan, O'Brien, Darcy, Nyhuis, Bell, Logue, Griffin, Ryan.
SWAN DISTRICTS – Goals: Notte, Cary, Banfield 2; Rogers, Howard, Turner.
Best: Ugle, Faulkner, Bennell, Riggio, Turner, Slater.