Led by Neil Erasmus, Will Brodie and Corey Wagner, Peel Thunder continued their early-season momentum, defeating Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval on Saturday afternoon.

Eleven Fremantle-listed players featured, overcoming a hostile home crowd to emerge victors by 19 points 14.4 (88) to 9.15 (69).

Erasmus (38 disposals, 11 marks) continued his dominance at WAFL level, exploding out of stoppages and driving the ball inside Peel’s attacking 50. 

Liam Reidy (51 hitouts) didn’t take long to get into the game being his usual physical self, dominating the opposition ruckmen - while recent Fremantle debutant Cooper Simpson (ten disposals and two goals) gave Peel the first two of the game.

Development coach Tendai Mzungu took the Peel senior coaching reins for the weekend due to Adam Read being unavailable through illness.

While Peel dominated possession, Swan Districts were efficient going forward and converted their inside 50s into scores. 

Peel however responded well as the quarter continued as a Scott Tuia goal of the day contender helped Peel take a 10-point lead into quarter time.

Wagner (26 disposals, seven marks), in his third game back from a calf injury, added plenty of run across half-back helping Peel’s attacking ball movement.

The second quarter got off to a fast start with both teams kicking a goal apiece in the opening minutes.

Swan Districts however gained ascendancy and began to pepper the goal face but struggled to capitalise kicking 3.7 in the second term.

A goal after the siren to Swan Districts gave them a two-point lead heading into halftime.

The visiting Peel side started much brighter in the third quarter, kicking the first major of the second half through the boot of Nathan Wilson. 

Peel locked it in their forward 50 with Simpson converting his second of the day, followed by Jack Delean (seven disposals and a goal) opening his account for the afternoon.

Delean’s goal was representative of the Peel performance with multiple efforts and pressure, finishing off his hard work snapping truly from 35 metres out. 

The quarter continued to prove fruitful for Peel, with Matt Taberner (five marks, one goal) bringing the margin to a game-high 28-point lead. 

Swan Districts again failed to make their limited opportunities count giving Peel a strong 27-point lead at the end of the third.   

The home team came out firing in the fourth with an early goal creating a sniff of a comeback in front of a raucous home crowd. 

Peel though, held strong with much of the quarter played between the arcs, helping the Thunder maintain a steady lead that became insurmountable as the quarter progressed.

Brodie (28 disposals) was influential in Peel’s engine room as the game drew to a close.

The backline also held firm in the last, with half-backers Karl Worner (24 disposals, four tackles) and Ethan Hughes (19 disposals) repelling any attacking forays by Swan Districts. 

Wilson’s fourth goal squashed any chances of a comeback, keeping Peel on top of the WAFL ladder after seven rounds. 

Speaking after the game, Corey Wagner was full of praise for the Peel side, making specific mention of the young backline consisting of Davies, Worner and Ollie Murphy.

“They’re awesome," Wagner said post-match. 

"They listen, they get the job done, they fight hard, they make some really decisive decisions.

"It’s a really good group to be with and we’re putting together some good games now which is nice.”

The 27-year-old defender was impressed with his side’s response in the third quarter after Swan Districts challenged in the second term. 

“It’s a very hostile crowd here so it’s hard to win," Wagner said.

"We got back to the contest, win that and we get it going forward.

“We adjusted a few things down back so they couldn’t kick it too long and we could be a bit more proactive and then move it through the guts and take game on.”

In good signs for Fremantle fans, Wagner was happy with how his calf was tracking after injuring it earlier in the season.

“I’m really confident in my body now," Wagner said.

“(I’m) just playing some consistent footy now and really enjoying it.”   

Peel have a bye next week before returning to action against third placed South Fremantle in Mandurah on Saturday 25 May.

Peel Thunder: 4.0 6.1 13.3 14.4 (88)
Swan Districts: 2.2 5.9 7.12 9.15 (69)

GOALS:
Peel Thunder: 4 N Wilson, 2 C Simpson, C Tregenza, J Sears, 1 J Delean, T Wyburd, S Tuia, M Taberner 
Swan Districts: 3 L Kohlmann, 2 S Bright, J Glass-Mccasker, 1 W Reidy, T Edwards