Thunder strikes in the wet

Peel broke through for an overdue win when beating Perth by 19 points in water-logged conditions at Bendigo Bank Stadium today.

The Thunder have been in most of their games this season but only managed one win prior to today’s 12.18 (90) to 10.11 (71) result, a 24-point victory over South Fremantle in round nine.

A heavy shower of rain just before the start of the match left large puddles of water and mud at both ends of the Mandurah venue.

Fremantle squad members Anthony Morabito, Kepler Bradley, Hayden Crozier, Tom Sheridan and Michael Apeness were among the best players for the winners along with former Demon Brendon Jones.

Morabito, desperately unlucky not to be called up by the Dockers in recent weeks, finished the match with 29 possessions, 14 clearances, four inside 50s and two goals.

Key defender Bradley was dominant with 23 possessions and nine marks while Apeness played his best WAFL game with 15 disposals, nine marks, six inside 50s and three goals.

Bradley revelled in the slippery conditions and the 28-year-old’s experience was invaluable for Peel.

Perth had all the early play, with Gerald Ugle, Joel Leeson and Callum Collard posting the first three goals of the game for the visitors.

The Thunder set up victory by kicking eight of the next 10 goals to lead by 15 points four minutes into the third quarter.

Both sides traded goals from that point in the third stanza, Peel holding a 13-point lead at the last change.

The two clubs split the minor grades, Perth taking out the colts by 11 points and Peel the reserves by five points in water-logged conditions.

Cameron Manuel responded to being dropped with a standout effort in the early games for the Demons, the 24-year-old finishing the match with 28 possessions, six marks, seven inside 50s and a goal.

Chance Bateman and Brennan Stack also did well for Perth along with East Fremantle recruit Aidan Tropiano.

Tropiano, who had been cleared from the Sharks during the week, had 21 disposals, four marks, eight tackles and two inside 50s.