Peel Thunder have won the first game of the season in a decisive 17.8 (110) to 11.12 (78) victory on Good Friday against the East Fremantle Sharks at Lane Group Stadium in Mandurah.

It was a close game for Peel Thunder and East Fremantle Sharks until the fourth quarter which cemented the win in round one.  

Peel Thunder’s line-up was bolstered with eleven Fremantle Dockers players that were obvious standouts in pressure and possession.

Peel set the tone early for what was to be a fast and hard game, with ruckman Lloyd Meek (18 Disposals, 28 Hit outs) securing the first bounce with a goal quickly following within the first minute.

Meek continued to apply pressure throughout the first half with his presence being felt heavily in the midfield with Peel leading at quarter-time 3.1 to 2.4.

After a rocky start to the second quarter, the Sharks pulled ahead with a few majors.

However, Peel was able to adjust with the Joel Western (1 Goal, 19 Disposals) and Karl Worner (2 Goals, 22 kicks, 31 Disposals) creating scoring opportunities that their teammates capitalised on. 

Mitch Crowden (2 Goals, 20 Disposals) sniped a major from the outside 50 as Peel closed the gap and retained the lead by two points at 7.3 to 6.7.

Peel again came out fast with Western scoring an early goal, but the East Fremantle hit back shortly after with the game becoming tied at (57) points. 

The Sharks continued to bring the Thunder into deep waters as they pulled ahead and then continued to increase their lead by 13 points towards the end of the quarter. 

Yet Peel Thunder were not disheartened and an assist from Connor Blakely (6 Tackles, 15 Kicks) that got inside the Sharks’ 50 resulted in a major that closed the gap heading into the fourth.

The score was Peel 10.4 (64) to East Fremantle 10.11 (71) at the start of the final quarter.

It began with an early battle in the midfield with both teams attacking and stopping the other until Jye Amiss (1 Goal, 5 Marks) got it through to Worner (10 Marks) which about tied the game.

Peel gathered momentum with Mitch Crowden snapping his second major, which was followed quickly by Josh Treacy (1 Goal, 2 Hit Outs) landing another as the forwards were able to find help deep in the Sharks inside 50.

The Sharks were able to muster one last goal before the Thunder landed four more electrifying majors, giving Worner his second and with Jye Amiss finishing East Fremantle off.

Peel Thunder: 3.1  7.3  10.4  17.8 (110)
East Fremantle Sharks: 2.4  6.7  10.11  11.12 (78)

Goals
Peel: Bennell 3, Bell 2, Worner 2, Cullen 2, Crowden 2, Thorne, Amiss, Smith, Treacy, Anderson, Western
East Fremantle: Marsh 3, Boekhorst, Leggett, Bennet, Smith, Burton, Bailey, Montauban, Oreilly.

Best
Peel: Thorne, Blakely, Amiss, Western, Sears
East Fremantle: Boekhorst, Eardley, Marsh, English, Jupp