Thirteen Fremantle listed players were in action for the rainy clash against Swan Districts, which saw Peel Thunder emerge victorious.

The stage was set for a scrappy game at Rushton Park as Peel Thunder and Swan Districts players ran out into deep puddles and slanting sheets of rain on Saturday afternoon.

Sebit Kuek (two goals, 14 disposals) converted a free kick in the first minute, putting Peel ahead, but as the teams sloshed through the sludge, only a point each progressed on the scoreboard for the term.

Peel Thunder kept possession for majority of the first quarter but struggled to impact on the scoreboard.

Kicks and marks were down drastically from usual standards, as the waterlogged ball tended to drop short and slipped through waiting arms.

The second quarter brought a slight lift in the skills of both sides as the teams adjusted to the conditions.

Oscar McDonald (nine kicks, 10 disposals) played his first game since the knee injury that has had him out of the AFL since March, with a calming disposition in the backline.

Michael Walters' (seven disposals) return to Peel kept the crowd’s energy up despite the low scoring game play.

He got his moment before the siren though, with a beautiful deep kick to Matt Taberner (two goals, 16 disposals) who took a contested mark just inside fifty on the boundary line. Taberner was able to convert the though shot despite the difficult angle.

Peel led by two points heading into the second half, which saw the rain pick up again.

The Thunder backline held strong and covered Swan Districts’ attempts at marks inside forward 50.

As possession swung back and forth between the teams, frustration grew on both sides, causing a few scraps and the crowd to get rowdy.

Kuek kicked his second goal of the match, prompting a run-on of easy goals for the Thunder.

Peel’s Taj Wyburd got the next, and Kuek’s fellow Fremantle recruit Cooper Simpson (one goal, two tackles) secured another goal minutes later.

The Thunder ran out for the final quarter 17 points ahead of Swan Districts, looking more confident in their ball skills as the game progressed.

Will Brodie (26 disposals, five tackles, five inside 50s) took a shot at goal following a neat clearance but couldn’t convert.

By the second minute of the final quarter though, Nathan Wilson kicked another, and Taberner followed suit, marking Peel’s fifth goal in a row without reply.

Peel remain top of the ladder in preparation for finals, having won their last four games.

Speaking post-match, Oscar McDonald commented on his first game in the WAFL.

“When I moved over from Victoria, I thought WAFL was a game you played under the sun, 20 degrees, beautiful and the ball moves around really nice, and then I come here and its poured rain all morning, it was quite the opposite!” McDonald said.

“I really enjoyed the crowd, the supporters, it was a good day.”

Fellow key defender Hugh Davies said the team had to go back to the basics to battle through the tough conditions.

“You don’t want to mess around with it too much with your hands, more- so kick than to handball and then lock it in the front half," Davies said.

“We took our opportunities in the third quarter I think, we kicked three or four goals giving us the buffer we needed going into the last quarter where we could lock the game down.”

McDonald commented on the knee injury that has had him out of the game since his Fremantle debut back in March.

“My knee feels good so far, hopefully it pulls up alright tomorrow and then next week I’ll be good to go again!”

Young defender Ollie Murphy also made a successful football return via the Peel Reserves side, following a long stint on the sidelines this season with an abdomen injury.

Murphy had eight disposals, four marks and five tackles for the day - and joined Jack Delean and Conrad Williams in the Reserves side.

Peel will return to action for the last game of the regular season next Saturday at Sullivan Logistics Stadium against East Perth.  

Peel Thunder: 1.1 2.4 5.7 7.12 (54)
Swan Districts: 0.1 2.2 2.3 3.5 (23)

GOALS
Peel Thunder: 2 M Taberner, S Kuek. 1 N Wilson, C Simpson, T Wyburd.
Swan Districts: 1 M Chipper, L Kohlmann, W Collins.