The Dale Alcock Homes South West side, have started their title defence at the Nutrien Ag Country Championship, with a hard fought win over Peel at Lane Group Stadium on Friday morning.
The first half saw the South West dominate play but weren’t able to get reward for effort, with Peel on two occasions going forward from a turnover to score goals to Brody Wemm and Michael Stevens. Kade Wallrodt was on the end of a bullet like pass to eventually give the South West their first goal, which led to a flurry of goals as momentum shifted.
Liam Creighton put some brilliant pressure on the Peel defence to be rewarded with a holding ball decision on the behind line, leading to the South West’s second goal. Robbie Turnbull was able to run into an open goal after some end to end play to put the South West six points in front. Baiden Parsons converted from outside the boundary, before Caleb Stephens snapped a great goal to put the defending champions eleven points in front at half time.
The Peel side weren’t going to lie down, kicking a goal in the first minute of the second half via Tye Salter. Liam Creighton received a free kick on the boundary line 45m out, and he duly converted, before Caleb Stephens kicked his second from outside 50m, with the South West looking sharp. Peel wouldn’t go away though, with Tyrone Thorne kicking a good goal to reduce the margin to twelve points. Wenn took a great mark for Peel and had a chance to narrow the margin to six points, with three minutes to play, but he missed and South West were able to control play in the remaining minutes to win by eleven points.
Caleb Stephens was awarded man of the match.
SCOREBOARD
South West 5.1.31 7.3.45
Peel 3.2.20 5.4.34
Goals: South West – Liam Creighton 2, Caleb Stephens 2. Kade Wallrodt 1, Robbie Turnbull 1, Baiden Parsons 1. Peel – Tye Salter 2, Michael Stevens 1, Tyrone Thorne 1, Brody Wenn 1.
Best: South West – Caleb Stephens, Jack Fletcher, Jaxon Bell. Peel – Brody Wemm, Luca Gangemi, Dylan Winton, Andrew Walsh
Photos courtesy of Sharyn Newlands