Peel Thunder have fallen short of an impressive comeback against the Perth Demons at Rushton Park on Sunday, losing by six points.
Despite pushing hard in the second half, Perth were able to hold on to the win finishing 12.13 (85) to 11.13 (79.)
Defender Brennan Cox said the key areas that let them down were their slow start and ineffectiveness with the ball, which made it difficult to come back into the game.
“It was just our slow start and our ball use, and probably in that last quarter we took a few risky kicks and they paid off,” he said.
Peel had an early lead before Perth pushed away on the scoreboard, leading for the remainder of the match following quarter time.
The Thunder were able to hit back in the second term kicking three goals, but Perth were able to keep Thunder goalless for the first 15 minutes of the third term halting any momentum.
Cox said that the coaching staff had a lot to say at three quarter time.
“The coaches wanted us to go out and really be intent, take the game on and we did and nearly got back and won the game,”he said.
Peel had their biggest impact on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter, kicking five majors and holding Perth goalless, however they just fell short at the final siren.
Cox played a strong game down back, collecting 20 disposals and taking nine marks.
Taylin Duman, who was Fremantle’s travelling emergency against GWS, racked up 28 disposals and took 10 marks after flying back from Canberra on Saturday night.
Cox said Peel needed to work on keeping the intensity up from the warm-up to the game to stay competitive in the first quarter.
“We will go back to the club and review it, have a training session on Saturday (for the bye) then play next week and hopefully get the win.”
Peel Thunder head into a bye next week before taking on East Perth at Leederville Oval, on Sunday 29 April.
