Eleven Fremantle-listed players were in action for a Grand Final battle against East Perth at the weekend, which saw the Thunder conquer the Royals by 33-points at Optus Stadium.

Following the dominant preliminary final win against Swan Districts, a hungry Peel Thunder side brought the fight on the big stage early.

Strong midfield play from Nathan O’Driscoll (29 disposals, six tackles, four clearances) and Liam Reidy (36 hit-outs, 15 disposals, seven clearances) set the tone for the Thunder in a tug-of-war start to the game.

East Perth opened the goal scoring account for the match and shifted the momentum in their favour seven minutes in.

Matt Taberner (one goal, seven disposals) capitalised on an out-of-bounds free kick with a superb snap which saw Peel respond shortly after.

Both backlines stood tall, limiting scoring from entries inside 50 through the first term - the Thunder unable to maximise on opportunity with three consecutive behinds.

East Perth tacked on a second goal late in the quarter to take the lead. Peel going into quarter time with a five point deficit.

The Thunder came out of the first break fierce, striking first through Neil Erasmus (26 disposals, 11 tackles, six clearances) to take the lead.

An energised Peel continued to pile on the pressure. Brilliance from Cooper Simpson (two goals, seven disposals) opened the door for the now three-time premiership player and Peel legend Blair Bell to stream into goal and kick the second of the term.

A free kick opportunity led Erasmus to slot his second goal of the quarter and the third consecutive for the Thunder minutes later. The goal pushing the lead out to 15 points, the first double digit deficit of the day.

A resilient and reliable Thunder backline spearheaded by Ethan Hughes (23 disposals, four marks), Hugh Davies (15 disposals, eight marks) and Karl Worner (19 disposals, five marks, two tackles) stalled Royal efforts to chip into the lead.

Erasmus and O’Driscoll continued to fly around the field collecting touches and controlling possession. Ex-Fremantle winger Brady Grey (six inside 50’s, five tackles) providing the side with steady play going forward. Peel continuing to create chances with 14 inside 50s for the quarter.

The Royals managed to fire back late in the term with a snap for goal to delight vocal fans around Optus Stadium. The goal proving East Perth were well and truly on Peel’s heels and this game was going to go all the way.

At the end of a gritty and high-intensity first half of footy Peel went into the main break with a nine point lead.

The Thunder remained relentless and struck first in the third when a floating ball from Taberner found Voss who converted from set shot.

A free kick in the Royal’s goal square provided East Perth with a goal in response soon after.

Turnovers from the Thunder led to another East Perth goal, making it two in quick succession and cutting the margin to three points.

Tightly contested stoppages and pressure football between the sides highlighted periods of the third term.

Vintage flashes from Nathan Wilson (two goals, five marks, four inside 50’s) swayed momentum when he broke through the pack inside 50 to snap a goal midway through the quarter. His energy lifting the side.

Erasmus' elegance found Simpson shortly after. Simpson securing another goal for the Thunder and tallying his first for the day.

East Perth’s grip on the game loosened as the Thunder added a third consecutive goal when O’Driscoll nailed a 50 metre set shot from the boundary. The rising star’s talent on full display on the big stage.

Young guns Scott Tuia (18 disposals, four marks, seven tackles) and Corey Tregenza (one goal, five disposals) each bagged goals of their own to make it five on the trot for the Thunder and extended the lead to 32-points.

A stoppage snap maximum from East Perth as the siren sounded offered signs of a comeback and lifted Royal spirits going into the final break.

The opening portion of the final term saw a hungry East Perth side bring the fight back to the Thunder, notching the first goal of the term.

Premiership-level pressure boiled over as a thunderous play-saving tackle from Michael Sellwood (21 disposals, four marks) rose the tension between the sides and boosted Peel efforts during the home stretch.

The Royals would not go away though, kicking the next goal of the match to close the deficit to 10 points with eight minutes left and breathe real life into a potential East Perth comeback.

Voss spoiled the party only minutes later with the Thunder’s first goal of the quarter, opening the flood gates toward an undeniable Peel premiership.

An Erasmus interception in traffic set up a Simpson goal. Wilson nabbed his second out the back to make it three goals in three minutes for the Thunder.

The dagger into the heart of the Royals was provided by Bell who ran into the goal square and launched the ball into the stands to cap off a tremendous season.

The siren sounded just a minute later to announce Peel Thunder as the 2024 WAFL Premiers and bury the Royals in a 14.8 (92) to 8.11 (59) victory in front of more than 25,000 fans.

Emerging superstar Erasmus was awarded the Simpson Medal for his outstanding best on ground performance.

Erasmus and Nathan O’Driscoll were all smiles reflecting post-match.

“It feels unreal. We had really good prep leading into the week, so it was nice to get the result,” Erasmus said.

“Today we just saw if we played our game, they weren't going to beat us.

“It’s going crazy in the rooms at the moment and the emotions are really high. We had to bounce back from last year’s lost, I’m so proud of the boys, it’s unreal,” O’Driscoll said.

O’Driscoll and Erasmus both highlighted the team’s efforts after being ahead by just nine points at the halftime break.

“We were fading into their game and that's surge footy, like chaotic. They like it when they get into the contest, they like to just fade it out,” O’Driscoll said.

“We really just wanted to be composed and if we needed to lock it in, we should lock it in, and I thought we did that in the third quarter.

“We felt on top with a few repeat entries and it felt really close, but we knew it wasn't going to be easy, that they were going to come out hard. We knew we were a good last quarter team and we could get them,” Erasmus said.

Erasmus and O’Driscoll also praised Adam Read’s leadership in his first year as head coach.

“The whole system is great,” Erasmus said.

“It's just so, so much fun to be around and they prepare us really well every week.

“Words can’t describe how good he is. He’s just a family man, he got the boys up and about with a pre-game speech today. He’s been awesome for me,” O’Driscoll said.

The pair of young Fremantle stars said they are excited for the future.

“Being a young group, we haven't played in front of crowds like that before,” Erasmus said.

“We just made sure we connected with each other and just came back to our role and focuses, which is important.

“The boys are really young and they're hungry, nothing beats this feeling," O'Driscoll said.

Peel Thunder finish the 2024 WAFL season as Premiers and will be looking to defend their title next season which starts March 2025.

Hugh Davies stood tall and fought hard for Peel’s backline all day in big pack contests with many spoils, eight disposals and five handballs.

Liam Reidy flourished and generated chemistry within the midfield, having 36 hitouts and seven clearances against East Perth’s big body Scott Jones.

Nathan O’Driscoll was consistent and relentless through the midfield, earning 29 disposals and kicking an incredible goal from the boundary.

Cooper Simpson provided supreme run and fight for Peel and worked efficiently in the forward line kicking two goals.

Will Brodie added his veteran class in the midfield with six clearances and eighteen disposals.

Neil Erasmus had a day out and won the Simpson medal for best on ground. He had 26 disposals, 11 tackles and two goals.

Karl Worner battled effectively to provide support in the backline, with 19 disposals and five marks.

Matt Taberner was a strong option in the forward line, having seven disposals and kicking Peel's first goal of the game.

Tom Emmett worked productively throughout the forward line, with eight disposals, three marks and three tackles.

Pat Voss was a strong presence in the forward line, combining his strength with his run and carry to collect two goals.

Ethan Hughes led a controlling backline and was constructive around the ground with 17 disposals and seven marks.

Peel Thunder: 1.3 4.7 10.8 14.8 (92)
East Perth: 2.2 3.4 6.6. 8.11 (59)

GOALS
Peel Thunder: 2 N Wilson, B Bell, C Simpson, N Erasmus, P Voss 1 N O'Driscoll, C Tregenza, M Taberner, S Tuia
East Perth: 3 S Van Diemen, 2 H Macreadie, 1 T Medhat, J Sturrock, H Brayshaw