Peel Thunder defeated South Fremantle by 18 points at Fremantle Oval in the WAFL Qualifying Final.

Peel started started strong and controlled the lead all afternoon for a final score of 12.8.(80) to 9.8.(62).

Fremantle’s Cameron Sutcliffe said it was good to secure a win, but the overall quality of playing wasn’t completely up to scratch as a team.

“The last quarter wasn't really up to our standard of footy we want to play, but to be resilient and finish the game strong was good,” he said.

The Thunder scored the first goal of the game nine minutes in, kicking three for the quarter, while South Fremantle only responded with two goals in the opening term.

Coach Cam Shepherd conveyed to the players at quarter time that the Thunder needed to be disciplined and patient.

“We can’t just hack it deep forward,” he said.

“I think we showed our physical strengths, but we don’t want to over do it”.

In the second quarter, South Fremantle were quick to score two consecutive goals.

However, the Thunder kept the Bulldogs to only scoring two behinds for the rest of the quarter while Peel secured three goals of their own.

Fremantle’s Matthew Taberner scored two goals while Nick Suban collected 31 disposals.

South Fremantle were only able to muster up one goal after the main break, while Peel Thunder showed dominance in accuracy, converting four goals.

Sutcliffe said Cam Shepherd delivered a strong message at three-quarter-time.

“[Shepherd’s message] was just continue to compete around the ball, we lost a bit of focus in the last quarter, which hurt us as a team.”

Tensions rose in the final quarter as Peel were caught off guard and South Fremantle scored four consecutive goals.

Peel responded with two goals to defend their tightened lead, just enough to secure the win as the clock ticked over.

Sutcliffe said the team started to feel pressure as a unit in the final minutes.

“Our forwards' pressure and our backs were good, but under the pump. I think we lost the inside 50 count,” he said.

Peel Thunder will be facing off against Subiaco next week in the second semi-final at Leederville oval.

Sutcliffe said the team needs to reflect on the last quarter and rectify those mistakes.

“If we can play like we did in those first three quarters, against Subi, we’ll be right in there” he said.