The football returns of Heath Chapman and Nathan O'Driscoll headlined a contested affair at Sullivan Logistics Stadium on Sunday afternoon that saw Peel go down to by 26 points.

Eight Fremantle-listed players were in action for the round two WAFL clash as the Thunder were handed their first loss of the 2024 WAFL season.

Both sides arrived with intensity and pressure, leading to an early stalemate between the arcs. Hugh Davies proved hard to beat early with two intercept marks.

Peel struggled to turn inside-50 entries into goals and were made to pay on the rebound, with the Lions heading into the first break with a 15-point lead.

The Peel midfield got to work early in the second term. Liam Reidy (49 hitouts, six tackles) began to assert his physical dominance and Will Brodie (25 disposals, seven inside 50s) earned first-use from stoppages, setting the tone for Peel to take control of the game.

In a welcome change from the first quarter, the damage was done on the scoreboard.

Corey Tregenza kicked the first before Reidy combined with fellow Freo Docker Cooper Simpson (nine disposals, one goal) in a textbook stoppage goal to bring the visitors within a kick.

Another goal from former Freo Docker Nathan Wilson saw Peel’s quarter-time deficit erased in a matter of mere minutes.

Subiaco responded with attacking pressure of their own, but Peel’s defence held strong, led by Chapman (18 disposals, five marks) who showed glimpses of his trademark rebounding abilities on his return from injury. 

The teams traded goals throughout the middle of the quarter, though neither could wrestle momentum as the margin remained less than a goal either way.

Jack Delean (one goal, five tackles) threatened to be the X-factor with glimpses of his rapid running abilities and athleticism. 

Peel’s hard work came undone in the shadows of half-time, with two late Subiaco goals regaining the home side’s lead and taking them into the main break with a nine-point advantage.

The second half started similarly to the first, as both midfields continued their battle of attrition. 

Subiaco finally broke the deadlock and threatened to blow the game away with consecutive goals through the middle of the third term opening a game-high 20-point lead. 

In positive news for Fremantle fans, Chapman continued to build on his strong start and provided much-needed resistance in the back half.

Peel’s forward pressure lifted, and they reaped the rewards as Tregenza took advantage of a risky switch-kick to convert his second of the game, and more importantly, keep the Thunder in touch heading into the final term.

Tempers flared early in the fourth quarter, but the Lions kept their cool for the all-important first goal. 

O’Driscoll (10 disposals, three tackles) began to reap rewards for his tireless efforts on the wing with a few effective disposals, eventually combining with Delean who kicked his first of the afternoon.

A late miracle was not to be for the Thunder, as Subiaco iced the game with two more late goals to run out 26-point winners.

Nathan O’Driscoll had a balanced reflection on the loss.

“We had good moments, but we didn’t do it for long enough,” O'Driscoll said.

“We fed into the way they wanted to play.

“We came in with a game plan not to do that.”

O’Driscoll was delighted to get through the game unscathed in his return from a knee procedure, particularly alongside Chapman.

“Chappy and I were just talking about how good it is to be out there playing footy and getting through a game,” O'Driscoll said.

“My fitness was fine coming in, it was more just about getting minutes because playing a game is different to doing sessions.”

Peel will have the chance to bounce back off a six-day break when they face East Perth at Rushton Park in Mandurah on Saturday 13 April. 

Subiaco: 4.1 7.3 9.6 14.8 (92)
Peel Thunder: 1.4 5.6 6.8 9.12 (66)

GOALS –
Subiaco: 3 J Mayo, B Sokol, 2 R Bartlett, 1 R Borchett, G Clark, L Foley, B Golding, L Hickmott, L Kitchin
Peel Thunder: 2 J Sears, C Tregenza, 1 J DeLean, B Middleton, C Simpson, B Wemm, N Wilson