Round 2 – Peel Thunder v East Fremantle Match ReportSaturday, March 25, 2017 - 8:46 PM - by Chris Pike

PEEL Thunder has continued the impressive start to its WAFL premiership defence with a thumping 86-point win over East Fremantle at Bendigo Bank Stadium on Saturday.

On the day the club unfurled its first premiership flag in front of the Mandurah faithful following the triumph in 2016, the Thunder showed that they are far from content with that achievement and are shooting for back-to-back successes this year.

Coming off last week's hard fought 17-point win over East Perth at Leederville Oval, Peel dominated at home to East Fremantle on Saturday to run out 19.12 (126) to 5.10 (40) victors.

Peel has now won seven straight matches dating back to last year. The Thunder beat Claremont in Round 23 last year. Then in the finals went on to beat East Perth, West Perth, South Fremantle and Subiaco on the way to the premiership.

The Thunder have gone on to win the opening two games in impressive fashion.

Unfortunately it has been a tough start for East Fremantle. After the Sharks lost seven of their last nine games of 2016 to miss out on finals, they have now lost to Claremont by 62 points and Peel by 86 to start the new season. 

Peel got off to a fast start with six goals to two in the opening quarter and were never headed from there.

The Thunder went on to lead by 40 points at half-time and then with another six goals to two in the third term opened up a massive 67-point advantage at the last change.

Another five goals to one in the last quarter and Peel cruised to the 86-point triumph over East Fremantle.

There were stars all over the field for Peel and up forward Leroy Jetta continued his outstanding return after a year in exile. He backed up kicking four goals last week by boot five on Saturday against the Sharks from seven kicks.

Matt Taberner also kicked five goals for the Thunder from 20 possessions, seven marks and five tackles. Hayden Crozier and ex-Shark Luke Strnadica both kicked two goals each as well.

There were plenty of big ball winners for Peel and none better for the second straight than young Docker Harley Balic who racked up 33 possessions.

Traye Bennell played his best game with Peel since making the move from South Fremantle midway through last season and had 28 disposals to go with seven marks and four tackles.

Rory O'Brien is showing no signs of slowing down either and had another 23 touches and 10 tackles for the Thunder while Brad Walsh finished with 21 possessions, Brayden Lawler 21 and Ethan Hughes 20.

Sean Darcy worked hard in the ruck for 43 hit outs as well.

Many of East Fremantle's biggest ball winners and most consistent contributors came in the back half led by Jayden Schofield who compiled 35 possessions and 10 marks.

Ryan Lester-Smith also gathered 28 disposals while taking 14 marks and Andrew Stephen had 22 touches and 11 marks on return to the league side.

Jonathon Marsh worked hard for the Sharks to finish with 27 possessions, eight marks and a goal while East Perth recruit Tom Omodei played well for 23 touches.

Liam Anthony also picked up 21 disposals and nine marks with Tom Marshall gathering 21 touches, Jamie McNamara 19 and Dylan Winton 18.

Peel will look to stretch its winning run to eight and remain unbeaten in 2017 when it hosts South Fremantle at Bendigo Bank Stadium next Saturday.

East Fremantle has the bye to try and regroup from the tough start before playing Perth at Lathlain Park.

PEEL THUNDER            6.4    8.7    14.11    19.12    (126)
EAST FREMANTLE        2.0    2.3    4.4    5.10    (40)

PEEL THUNDER – Goals: Taberner, Jetta 5; Crozier, Strnadica 2; Grey, Balic, McGowan, O'Brien, Ugle. 
Best: Balic, Taberner, Bennell, Jetta, O'Brien, Ugle, Lawler.
EAST FREMANTLE – Goals: L Anthony, Peake, Marsh, Watson, Symonds.
Best: Schofield, Marsh, Lester-Smith, Omodei, Stephen, Marshall.