The Fremantle Football Club and Peel Thunder Football Club have extended their partnership, which will see their WAFL arrangement continue to flourish until at least the end of 2029.

The arrangement which began in 2014, allows Fremantle players not chosen for AFL duty to represent Peel in the WAFL.

The partnership also means Fremantle will continue to appoint Peel’s Senior Men’s WAFL Coach under consultation with Peel, while Peel will continue to appoint the Colts, Reserves and Assistant WAFL coaches, in consultation with Fremantle.

Sustaining this partnership with Peel Thunder will continue to benefit both Clubs and WA Football as it aims to help strengthen, sustain and grow local footy.

In 2015, the second season of the arrangement, Peel made the Club’s first WAFL finals appearance, going on to win back-to-back premierships in 2016 and 2017.

Over the past 11 seasons, Peel Thunder have featured in six WAFL finals campaigns, four grand finals, and have won three WAFL Premierships including last year’s 33-point grand final win over East Perth.

Fremantle CEO Simon Garlick said the Club was proud to continue the arrangement, in what has been a mutually beneficial partnership to date.

“As a Club we are very proud of our partnership with Peel Thunder in the WAFL competition and value the past 11 seasons we have spent working together,” Garlick said.

“We will always assess what is best for our players and as it stands, the agreed arrangement is undoubtedly the right call for our program.

“This partnership has enabled us to achieve mutual success, both in the development of Fremantle and Peel players, as well as Peel’s premiership achievements to date.”

Last year, Hugh Davies, Neil Erasmus, Cooper Simpson, Liam Reidy, and Karl Worner all continued to develop their football and gain valuable finals experience with Peel.

Erasmus finished 2024 earning Peel’s Best and Fairest Tuckey Medal and Worner was awarded runner-up.

Peel Thunder CEO Paul Lekias said the Club was pleased with the outcome and look forward to continuing to build on the existing partnership.

“The Peel Thunder Football Club has been working tirelessly behind the scenes with Fremantle to develop a contemporary partnership that benefits both Clubs in their pursuit of sustained success. We are excited to continue to grow as a Club, while helping Fremantle achieve the ultimate AFL success,” Lekias said.

 “In recent times, both Clubs have worked hard to develop a selection cap that continues to provide local Peel players the best opportunity to play WAFL football. 

“This is evidenced by the number of 17/18 year olds debuting and the nine players drafted into the AFL system.

“Both Peel and Fremantle are determined to win games of football, and we are extremely proud of the environment we have created which provides our players and staff, opportunities to succeed at the WAFL, or AFL level.”

Fremantle will play their final pre-season hit out against Melbourne on Sunday 2 March, 3.10pm WST in the 2025 AAMI Community Series at Peel’s home ground, Rushton Park in Mandurah.

Ticketing information can be found HERE.