In testing conditions, the WAFL Eagles fell just short against Peel Thunder, 8.8 (56) to 10.8 (68) in a tight finish.

Senior Coach Kyal Horsley said the team fought hard in tough conditions, with the rain and strong winds turning the contest into a hard-fought scrap where every goal was priceless.

“Peel had the better of the first quarter and were able to convert from limited supply.” Horsley said.

“From there it was a real arm wrestle and see-sawing affair. We were able to hit the front in the last quarter after building sustained pressure for the first 17 minutes, giving ourselves every chance to win.

“Unfortunately for us, Peel stood up in some big moments, took their opportunities and won the game.

While disappointed with the result, I was incredibly proud of the 22 men who took the field. They played with real spirit, intent, and genuine care for one another.”

Top Performers

Tom Gross

Tom more than held his own against a high-quality midfield. He was able to impact the game in the clinches with six tackles and five clearances while also hitting the scoreboard with two goals. 

Caleb Datson

With Sandy Brock a late out, Datson had to play as a key back and he did a fantastic job. He nullified his opponent, helped others and opened the game up for us in offence. Plays that started with him would end with a goal for the team.

Harvey Johnston

Harvey lined up in defence this week and provided strong voice throughout the game. He competed well, consistently winning or halving his contests, and gave us much needed run on a day where gaining territory was a real challenge.

AFL Listed Players 

Coen Livingstone

One of the biggest challenges in the WAFL is taking on Liam Reidy and I was impressed by Coen’s performance. He took the battle on and never took a backwards step. When the game was on the line Coen won some big one-on-one contests which gave us a chance to win the game. 

Hamish Davis

Hamish set the tone early with his intent, laying some big open-field tackles that lifted the group. He moved well across all areas of the ground and looked threatening around goal when given the opportunity.

Harry Barnett

It wasn’t a game that suited tall forwards, but Harry still made his presence felt. He was relentless at ground level, laying five strong tackles and releasing sharp handballs that would’ve impressed from a much smaller player.

Campbell Chesser

It was a strong performance from ‘Chess’, who worked tirelessly up and down the wing. A standout moment came when he got back to make a crucial spoil, turning defence into attack as we went coast to coast for a goal. His contest work was first-rate, and he handled the tough conditions exceptionally well.

Jack Petruccelle

Jack played mostly inside and looked dangerous. Even in the conditions his class and use were on display. When the game was on the line in the last quarter, he stood out and looked like he was going to get the win for us. Was on the wrong end of a few missed calls but stayed focused and kept going.

Noah Long

It was a difficult game to assess given the way it played out, but ‘Longy’ was doing plenty right despite limited opportunities. The game was played in a straight line, which made it tough for those working off the ball to get involved. However, when he did get his chances, he had a real impact. Bringing teammates into the play and helping set up multiple scoring opportunities.

Jacob Newton

Jacob split his time between forward and midfield, and much like Petch, he lifted as the game tightened. He stood tall in the crucial moments, winning contest after contest and forcing himself into the game. His trademark explosiveness was on full display, and in tough conditions, it really set him apart.

Jack Williams

It was a tough day to be a big key forward. Jack competed hard in the air and looked the most dangerous of the talls on the ground. When he went into the ruck, he was able to impact the game with his craft and follow through.

Jayden Hunt

Leadership was vital early with Peel dominating, and Hunt played a key role in steadying the group and keeping them composed. He then made a real impact with his ball use, combining speed and penetrating kicks to gain valuable territory. A crucial asset in the conditions.

Loch Rawlinson

A complete game for a small forward in tough conditions. Loch finished with two goals, four tackles and plenty of pressure acts to go with. He did all he could for the team.

Lucca Grego

Lucca delivered a solid performance down back, defending strongly and working hard to create an extra number behind the ball. His ability to break into space once we regained possession consistently drew opponents toward him, opening up opportunities for teammates. While it didn’t translate to big numbers on the stat sheet, his influence on the game was significant.

Malakai Champion

Malakai’s work rate and patterns were strong throughout the game, contributing across all phases despite not getting much personal reward. His pressure and intent were clear, and while the stats showed zero tackles, he consistently forced turnovers by unsettling his opponents and forcing rushed decisions.