EAST Fremantle was on target for its third win of the WAFL season on Saturday to stay off the bottom of the ladder, but Peel Thunder turned on a huge last quarter to win by 13 points and secure third position.
The Sharks led by four points at half-time and 31 points at three-quarter-time, but Peel got rolling in the fourth term, booting seven goals to nil to win 10.8 (68) to 8.7 (55).
The Thunder will face South Fremantle in a qualifying final at Fremantle Community Bank Oval in the opening week of the finals.
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READ NOWThe return of star forward Leroy Jetta was a big positive for the Thunder.
He only had five kicks and a goal, but will be better for the run and ready to make an impact come finals time.
Ruckman Jonathon Griffin had a big say in the final result too, finishing with 17 possessions, four marks, 36 hit outs and two goals. Brett Milward also kicked two goals for the Thunder.
Haydn Matthews continued his impressive form this season for Peel with another 25 possessions, five tackles and a goal, with Tom Sheridan finished with 23 disposals, nine tackles and seven marks as well.
Calvin Thorne played likely his best game for 2017, with 22 possessions and five marks, while Traye Bennell gathered 20 disposals, Rory O’Brien 20 and Garrick Ibbotson 19 in defence to go with seven marks.
East Fremantle captain Jamie McNamara kicked two goals from 18 possessions, with Tom Bennett outstanding, stepping into the role left vacant by Jayden Schofield running off half-back. He kicked two goals to go with 23 disposals and seven marks.
Peel Thunder hosts South Fremantle at Bendigo Bank Stadium on Saturday, with both teams unable to move from third and second on the ladder respectively, and will then play one another the following week in the qualifying final.
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