Thirteen Fremantle-listed players were out on the field for the Peel Thunder v Claremont clash which saw Peel victorious.

Firmly cementing their spot at the top of the WAFL ladder ahead of finals, Peel Thunder looked composed after a slow start that saw them two goals behind.

The home crowd at Lane Group Stadium watched with apprehension in the first quarter as the visitors came out with intensity, composure, and clean ball movement.

Will Brodie (31 disposals) secured one of two goals for Peel in the first quarter, soccering it through after a scrap in the goal square.

But Claremont, who needed a win to creep into the top five, were feisty, managing four goals and five behinds in the first.

It was the second quarter where Peel showed their thunder.

Fremantle’s own Hugh Davies led the backline with composure, taking several contested marks and efficiently kicking the ball back into safer territory.

The opposition snagged a few more goals from free kicks inside 50, but by the eleventh minute of the second quarter, Peel were off and racing.

Two in a row turned to three, as Claremont fought to keep the momentum they’d had earlier in the game.

As the crowd’s energy lifted, so did the team’s performance.

The chemistry Peel have been curating throughout the season could be seen in the sharp dynamic movement of the midfielders. Will Brodie with fellow Fremantle teammates, Matthew Johnson (24 disposals, five tackles) and Nathan O’Driscoll (one goal, 21 disposals) guided the ball downfield with ease and efficiency.

Nathan Wilson was joined by Nathan O’Driscoll who kicked another six points for Peel with a beautiful deep kick on the run. His goal marked five in a row for Peel Thunder and gave them their first lead of the game.

The top of the third quarter saw Matt Taberner (three goals, 11 disposals) in good form. He kicked his first after a hard run deep inside 50.

Moments later, O’Driscoll made a clean smother before kicking to Sebit Kuek (2 goals) who nipped it through to Taberner’s waiting arms right in front of goals.

The opposition managed one goal in the third, finally weaving through Peel’s solid backline on the counter.

By the fourth quarter, Peel Thunder had cemented a 25-point lead, but Claremont didn’t let them get away without a fight. The teams went goal for goal until Peel broke through, victorious.

The final score of 17.10 (112) to 11.11 (77) marks Peel’s second win in a row and consolidates them atop the WAFL ladder ahead of finals in a months time.

Speaking post-match, Hugh Davies comments on Claremont’s first quarter intensity.

 “We really had to focus on just playing our way and we expected them to be really physical from the first bounce.” Davies said.

“We started a bit scrappy in the first quarter, but that second quarter we really just honed in on the little things and our basics, which really helped.”

Davies said of the home crowd at Lane Group Stadium, “When we kick a goal, or take a big mark or something, you can really hear it. I mean, it's electric.”

With the team approaching finals Davies said Peel Thunder will focus on taking the next few games week by week.

“Hopefully we can make a big run in finals later on,” he said.

Peel return to action against South Fremantle on August 10 at Fremantle Oval.

PEEL THUNDER: 2.3 7.4 11.9 17.10 (112)
CLAREMONT: 4.5 6.7 7.8 11.11 (77)

GOALS 
PEEL THUNDER: 5 S Tuia, 3 M Taberner, 2 N Wilson, S Kuek, O Jones 1 L Colton, W Brodie, P Voss, N O’Driscoll
CLAREMONT : 3 A Manuel, 2 T Delacey,  J Musika, 1 J Bolton, C England, A Davis, Z Mainwaring,