Peel power to first flag

The Peel Cavaliers won their first division 1 Landmark Championship, defeating the South West Football-Netball League by 31 points at Medibank Stadium on Sunday.

The underdogs set up the win with a powerful last quarter, when the Peel Cavaliers kicked four goals to just one, to run away with the 13.6 (84) to 7.11 (53) victory.

Midfielder Brendon Jones was named man-of-the-match after a stellar game, while forward Joel Houghton kicked six goals and two-time Hayward Medallist Jesse Gribble had a great game in the midfield.

The five-time reigning champions were on the back foot almost immediately, with Peel booting four goals to none in the first quarter. The tandem of Gribble and Jones in the midfield were dominant, while forward Houghton started well with two goals to open the match.

The SWFL worked hard, but failed to convert opportunities, while Peel had all the run in the first quarter.

Forward Anthony Tsalikis sparked the SWFL into life straight after quarter time, kicking two quick goals within the first three minutes.

When Joel Mahar kicked a sensational running goal to reduce the margin to just six points, the game came to life and the contest became a lot tougher.

Donnybrook’s Simon Parry put the SWFL in front for the first time in the game with a raking kick from 50m, while Dons teammate Curtis Guglielmana pushed the SWFL forward on every occasion in an excellent display.

The SWFL’s run and use of the over-lap handball caused a lot of issues for Peel, who struggled to stop the pace of the champions.

Both sides began the second half strongly, but failed to convert it on the scoreboard.

It took the SWFL 10 minutes to kick the first goal of the third term, with Mat Michael booting a simple major.

Houghton responded straight away but, kicking his third for the day and keeping the margin to five points.

Mason Hislop had a great game in the backline, intercepting many of Peel’s attacks and rebounding well to put his side forward.

But opponent Brad Holmes got the better of him late in the third quarter, kicking a goal and setting up Eddy Dann with another as Peel regained the lead.

The Cavaliers went into the last quarter with all the momentum after Houghton kicked his fourth goal.

After a tight opening to the quarter, Peel’s Holmes kicked two majors and the SWFL looked out of the game.

Michael kicked his second midway through the term to keep the SWFL in touch, but Holmes responded less than a minute later with his third for the final term.

Houghton put the icing on the cake, kicking two more goals as Peel defeated the SWFL for the second time in four weeks.