A successful return from injury by Anthony Morabito wasn’t enough to inspire Peel to victory over East Perth in the 'mini derby' at Rushton Park on Saturday.
Morabito showed touches of the class Fremantle fans have been hoping for, launching several dashes off half back as he collected 23 possessions and took six marks.
WAFL Watch: Player Stats - Saturday 9 April
But East Perth proved too strong for the home side, pulling away in the final quarter to record a 30-point victory, 15.14 (104) to 11.8 (74).
Ruckman Jack Hannath said it was great to see Morabito emerge unscathed.
“Coming back from another setback, obviously it’s good for him to get a game under his belt, and obviously string a few together,” Hannath said.
Peel started the match strongly with two goals to Matt Taberner and one to captain Gerald Ugle, but two late goals to the Royals saw the teams enter the first break on level pegging.
Jack Hannath and Jon Griffin dominated in the ruck, giving Hayden Crozier the chance to push his claims for Fremantle selection as he gathered 30 disposals and kicked three goals, including a long-range effort that sparked the Thunder into life midway through the second quarter.
“Obviously Croz had a good game today,” Hannath said.
“And like we are with every player, trying to get that predictability and everyone on the same page.
“He did a fair bit today and is making the most of those opportunities.”
Morabito was the star of the third quarter, breaking the lines and delivering the ball to Peel’s forwards, but the Thunder found themselves 10 points behind at the final change.
Defender Josh Bootsma took a magnificent grab in the back pocket early in the last quarter and, soon after, Taberner kicked truly to give Peel a sniff of victory.
But East Perth ran out the game stronger, kicking four of the last five goals to push the final margin out to 30 points.
Hannath said too many Peel players had made errors.
“It was more just opportunities. We had a few plays at the back which we butchered, and they were able to take it down the other end and score,” he said.
“It was pretty close up until three quarter time, and then they were able to take it away from us.”
Key defender Sam Collins continued his impressive start to the season, racking up 18 possessions and hauling in six marks.
Griffin emerged as the likely replacement for injured Fremantle ruckman Aaron Sandilands, winning 36 hit-outs, 11 possessions and seven marks against the strong East Perth rucking division of Paul Johnson and Jonathan Giles. Hannath had 15 hit-outs, 11 possessions and three marks.
Hard-working midfielder Brady Grey was a constant thorn in the Royals’ side, collecting 19 possessions and laying an impressive seven tackles.
Peel now have a bye and will then look to bounce back against Claremont at the Showgrounds.
Peel Thunder 11.8.78
East Perth 15.14.104
Thunder: Taberner 3, Crozier 3, Ugle 2, Lawler 2, Hannath
Royals: Allen 3, Adamson 3, McGinnity 2, Oakley-Nicholls 2, Wulf, Payne, Roche, Giles, Karpany
