Peel Thunder has fought back from an 11-point deficit at three-quarter time to defeat East Fremantle in the first game of the WAFL season by 15 points at Rushton Park.
Peel Thunder kicked five goals to one in the last quarter to get home 11.12 (78) to 9.9 (63).
The Sharks started off strong, leaving Peel goalless for the first twenty minutes of the match.
Fremantle defender Taylin Duman said East Fremantle pushed the Thunder early, but it was the four-quarter effort that brought out the win.
“They’re a really good running side, so we knew we just had to play our style of footy and we’d run over the top of them in the end,” he said.
Fremantle midfielder Danyle Pearce was a key component to the win, capping off a strong performance with 32 disposals.
“Danyle’s been great for Peel when he comes in,” Duman said.
“He adds a lot of experience and he was really important today with his ball use.”
The Sharks took a nine-point lead into half time after a total of three goals were kicked between both teams in the second quarter.
Peel Thunder hit the front for the first time early in the third quarter, with Brady Grey kicking his second goal of the game.
Although Peel held their lead for the first half of the quarter, the Sharks kicked back to take an eleven-point lead into the final quarter.
After the three-quarter-time huddle, Peel Thunder began their comeback, with eight scoring shots to East Fremantle’s two.
Darcy Tucker had a large contribution to the win, with 28 disposals and an important goal in the last quarter.
“[It’s] always good to have ‘Tucks’ down here,” Duman said.
“[He’s] been in the AFL squad for most of his time at Fremantle, but it was good to have him down today and what he brings to the team.”
Taylin Duman said he’s developing his craft as a rebounding defender to suit the needs of Freo’s side.
“I’ve just got to keep building from here and follow it up next week,” he said.
“It was good to tick round one off.”
WAFL Watch players stats: Round one v East Fremantle
Peel Thunder will face Swan Districts next Saturday, April 7, at Steel Blue Oval.
