The Peel Thunder have been crowned the 2024 WAFL premiers following a stirring 33-point win at Optus Stadium over the East Perth Royals, redeeming the heartbreak of last year.
Tipped to be a tight contest between the two standout teams of the season, the Thunder and Royals held the top position for the entire year, and it showed on Sunday.
A sluggish start saw a combined three majors kicked in the opening term of the decider, with both clubs' nerves at an all-time high before they settled into the game.
The Thunder - who hold a host of Fremantle AFL-listed players - began to make their move toward the end of the second half, holding onto a nine-point advantage that could have easily been more.
For the third time, Peel Thunder are WAFL premiers! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/96XBdQJC5o
— 7AFL (@7AFL) September 22, 2024
A six-goal-to-three premiership quarter saw the AFL-affiliate club (Peel) run away with the contest, putting both hands on the cup with 20 minutes of football to play.
The Royals, led by former West Coast player Hamish Brayshaw (brother of Angus and Andrew), didn't give up without a fight, kicking the first two goals of the final quarter, drawing the margin back to 10 points.
However, the Thunder banged on four consecutive goals to put the game beyond doubt, claiming their first flag in seven years.
Yesterday's victory added the third trophy to the club's cabinet, following the back-to-back success in 2016 and 2017.
Dockers-listed player Neil Erasmus was awarded the Simpson Medal (best on ground) on the back of two vital goals along with 26 touches and 11 tackles.
Teammate Nathan O'Driscoll was also superb, gathering 29 possessions, six tackles and a goal in the victory.
Other familiar names included Liam Reidy (36 hit-outs, 15 disposals and seven clearances), Karl Worner (19 touches and five marks), Nathan Wilson (two goals, 10 possessions and five marks), Will Brodie (18 touches and six clearances), Patrick Voss (two goals and 11 disposals) and the retiring Matt Taberner (one goal and seven possessions).
For East Perth, ruckman Scott Jones performed strongly in the defeat while former Docker Mitch Crowden featured prominently in the midfield.
PEEL THUNDER 1.3 4.7 10.8 14.8 (92)
EAST PERTH ROYALS 2.2 3.4 6.6 8.11 (59)
GOALS
Peel Thunder: Wilson, Bell, Simpson, Erasmus, Voss 2; O'Driscoll, Tregenza, Taberner, Tuia
East Perth Royals: Van Diemen 3; Macreadie 2; Medhat, Sturrock, Brayshaw
