Peel Thunder have pulled off a remarkable come-from-behind victory over East Fremantle, booting seven goals in the final term to run out 13-point winners at East Fremantle Oval.
The Thunder overcame a 31-point deficit at the last change after a hungry Sharks outfit kicked seven unanswered goals between the first and third term.
The 10.8 (68) to 8.7 (55) victory in blustery conditions has secured third spot for Peel on the WAFL ladder and a double chance in September.
Fremantle midfielder Tommy Sheridan said it was an important win heading into the business end of the season.
“It’s something pretty special for the group, it was a really resilient win and it’s something we will tap into come finals,” he said.
“The first three quarters were below par and credit to East Fremantle but in the last quarter we really dug in.”
The Thunder started the day perfectly when Jonathon Griffin snapped a major inside the first two minutes.
The ruckman was dominant early, assisting in another Peel goal moments later to hand his team an early 12-point lead.
In the second quarter Peel only managed two points against a ravenous Sharks outfit fighting to move off the bottom of the WAFL ladder.
East Fremantle smashed Peel in the inside 50’s during the third quarter and were able to convert six goals, handing themselves what looked a like an unassailable 31-point lead at the final change.
However, when Blair Bell broke free from a tackle and booted a major in the last term, The Thunder sparked into life.
Peel piled on six more goals and kept East Fremantle to just two points for the term to secure their 12th win of the season.
Sheridan said Peel had to take a few risks to come out on top.
“The message was to stay calm, take the game on and run off, a few boys went forward, a few went back and everyone got to work, it was just fantastic,” he said.
“When your down you’ve got to play a bit more aggressive and change things up.
“In the last quarter we pressed right up on them and stopped all the exits and that’s what locked the ball in our forward half, and that’s how we got the goals”.
Fremantle ruckman Jonathon Griffin was a stand out for Peel with 36 hit-outs, 17 disposals and two goals.
Sheridan had only praise for Griffin’s efforts.
“Griffin was fantastic in the ruck, hitting it down the mid’s throats all day,” he said.
“But I thought it was a real team effort in that last quarter, we moved the ball better and everything just came alive, and it needed to”.
Sheridan was one of the Thunder’s best with 21 kicks and nine tackles.
