Fremantle will not be able to give any of its fringe players match practice in the WAFL next weekend after Peel Thunder was knocked out of the title race by East Perth.

WAFL Watch player stats: Sunday 13 September

After jumping to a two-goal quarter-time lead, the Thunder was overwhelmed by West Coast’s aligned side.

The Thunder team that was thrashed by West Perth last week was bolstered by the return of 11 Fremantle-listed players, as well as captain Brendon Jones and defender Josh Bootsma.

But the Royals looked the better team for most of the cut-throat encounter and the 22-point margin could have been much bigger had East Perth made the most of its opportunities.

The final scoreline saw the Royals victors 10.24 (84) to Peel’s 9.8 (62). 

One positive for Fremantle was the return to form of key forward Matt Taberner, who booted five goals from limited supply.

Taberner was left out of the Fremantle team that beat Sydney by nine points on Saturday, but pressed his case for selection for the preliminary final.

Fremantle ruckman Jack Hannath said Taberner had put himself in contention.

“He played really well today,” Hannath said.

“We will assess it over the next week, obviously Fremantle have the bye before the Prelim and wait to see how they want to go with the side against whoever.”

Fremantle’s young midfielders were serviceable once again for the Thunder, with Lachie Weller, Connor Blakely, Ed Langdon and Jacob Ballard being prominent.

Hannath said the youngsters played an important role in securing a double chance for the Thunder. He said they had big futures.

"On Freo's list, they are first or second year players you mention,” he said.

“I think it's a big reason why we played finals and actually did finish third on the ladder overall.

“A lot of those guys played well throughout the year to help us play finals.”