Royals punish the Thunder

East Perth overcame the late withdrawal of full back Kyle Anderson to beat Peel by 66 points at Bendigo Bank Stadium today.

Anderson, who pulled out due to groin soreness, was replaced in the 22 by first-game player Beau Chatley.

Manjimup teenager Chatley acquitted himself well on debut, doing enough to indicate he could be a player of the future.

Julian Ameduri was another to impress in his first league match for the Royals.

It sealed the minor premiership for East Perth, who moved three games clear at the top of the WAFL premiership ladder.

The Royals, who are aligned to AFL team West Coast, outclassed the Fremantle aligned Thunder 14.21 (105) to 5.9 (39) in the game billed as a mini western derby.

Midfielder Brendan Lee continued his prolific form for the Royals, getting plenty of the ball through the middle of the ground along with teammates Steven Payne, Craig Wulff and Freddie Clutterbuck.

Dean Cadwallader and Fraser McInnes did well for the winners in uncustomary defensive roles while ruckman Paul Johnson squared his battle with Dockers squad member Jon Griffin.

East Perth full forward Josh Smith also did well with four goals.

Fremantle squad members Clancee Pearce, Anthony Morabito, Sam Menegola and Jacob Ballard toiled hard for Peel along with veteran midfielder Brendon Jones.

Peel’s first goal didn’t come until the 23-minite mark of the third quarter, Dockers forward Max Duffy breaking the duck and a string of shots which hit the goalpost for the Thunder.

East Perth increased their lead at each change, ahead by four points at quarter time, 36 at half time and turned for home 50 points clear.

The Royals claimed both minor grades, taking out the reserves by 39 points and the colts by a whopping 112 points.

Jackson Slater, who made way in the league side for returning West Coast squad member Brant Colledge, improved his chances of breaking into the league team with 23 possessions, five marks, five inside 50s and a goal.

Mitch Green, an emergency for the Thunder, collected 32 disposals, eight marks and delivered the ball inside 50 eight times to stake his claim for a call-up to the senior side.