WAFL Preliminary Final ResultsSunday, September 18, 2016 - 6:57 PM - by Chris Pike

PEEL Thunder has won its way through to the 2016 WAFL Grand Final booking in a meeting with Subiaco after a 39-point preliminary final win over South Fremantle at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Sunday.

Peel was coming off the first two finals victories in the club's history over East Perth by 49 points and West Perth by 60, but South Fremantle had finished second spot on the ladder and had also beaten West Perth by 52 points before a second semi-final loss last week to Subiaco.

It was Peel who made the fast start with three goals inside the first 11 minutes of the game. When the Thunder then kicked five goals to nil in the second quarter and the first two goals of the third, the contest was all but over.

South Fremantle did rally late in the third quarter to close to within 28 points but it was Peel who had all the answers to end up winning 16.13 (109) to 10.10 (70).

That means that Peel is now into the club's first ever WAFL Grand Final next Sunday at Domain Stadium. Awaiting the Thunder is a Subiaco team looking for a third straight premiership and a seventh flag of the past 13 years in the Lions' 10th Grand Final in the past 14 years.

It was a commanding performance by Peel to beat South Fremantle for the first time in 2016 and it was on the back of strong contributions from the WAFL and AFL-listed players alike.

Connor Blakely was outstanding in the midfield finishing with 42 possessions to go with eight marks and six inside-50 entries while Matt de Boer also had 29 disposals, 10 tackles and two goals.

Peel just had too much depth and running power through the middle with Darcy Tucker also finished with 27 touches, Josh Deluca 26, Harley Balic 23, Nick Suban 23 and Ed Langdon 19 while Zac Clarke had 16 touches, seven marks, seven tackles and 24 hit outs in the ruck.

Thunder veteran Rory O'Brien was tremendous as well with 25 possessions and two goals while captain Gerald Ugle, Blair Bell and Shane Yarran all kicked two goals apiece as well.

South Fremantle's forward-line has been outstanding all season but Peel's back-line held firm led by Alex Silvagni, Sam Collins, Ethan Hughes and Josh Bootsma. Ryan Nyhuis also held the dangerous Blaine Johnson to three behinds.

South Fremantle was playing a ninth straight match since its last bye and up against the running power of the Thunder, the Bulldogs looked a tired outfit and one that could have been significantly fresher if it had a bye since their last one in Round 17.

Then the Bulldogs also lost Bernie Naylor Medallist Ben Saunders at half-time when he was taken to hospital while Steven Verrier continued to soldier on bravely despite a sore shoulder and nasty head knock. He still managed to lay 14 strong tackles for the game.

South Fremantle's back-line had some strong performers highlighted by Josh Pullman holding Michael Apeness to one kick and one goal.

Blayne Wilson was also terrific for the Bulldogs with 24 possessions and eight marks while Marlion Pickett did well opposed to Shane Yarran while also spending time in the ruck. He ended the day with 18 disposals.

Brock Higgins worked hard in the ruck for South Fremantle opposed to Clarke and Jonathon Griffin with Shane Hockey finishing with 23 possessions, Haiden Schloithe 21, Brendan Verrier 21, Ashton Hams 20, Tim Kelly 20, Jacob Martinez 19, Jacob Dragovich 19 and Dylan Main 18.

Then up forward, Steven Edwards bobbed up with three goals as the Bulldogs' only multiple goal scorer for the preliminary final.

The preliminary final action began at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Sunday morning with the minor premier Perth taking on East Perth for a spot in next Sunday's Grand Final.

Perth finished the season on top of the ladder before having a break in the first week of the finals and then losing in last week's second semi-final to Claremont.

The Demons still had one more chance to make the Grand Final but they proved no match for the Royals with East Perth running out 12.14 (86) to 7.8 (50) winners on the back of seven goals to three in the second half.

That means that East Perth will now tackle Claremont in next Sunday's Grand Final at Domain Stadium.

Tom Vellios, Ethan Christofis and Kane La Fontaine all kicked two goals each for the Royals who have now won three finals on the way to the Grand Final.

Mitch Dobson was again terrific for East Perth finishing with 27 possessions and nine marks while Christian Ameduri ended up with 22 disposals, Matthew Young 21, Alex Di Placido 20, Nathan Arbon 19, Stan Wright 19 and Sam Powell-Pepper 19.

Thomas Amos had a strong game in the ruck finishing with 14 disposals and 20 hit outs.

Josh Burke kicked four goals for Perth while Thomas Gooch ended up with 20 possessions, eight tackles, seven marks and a goal.

Cody Kickett also had 18 disposals for the Demons, Blake Johnson 15, Chris Leonard 15 and Sam Perkusich 15.

Then in the reserves preliminary final, Claremont joined its colts in action on Grand Final day next Sunday beating East Fremantle 15.13 (103) to 6.12 (48).

Claremont's colts already won its way into the Grand Final by winning last week and now the Tigers' reserves are there too after a convincing 55-point win over the Sharks in the preliminary final. Like the colts, Claremont will play East Perth in the reserves Grand Final.

Gerrick Weedon and Ben Higgs kicked four goals each for Claremont with Weedon also having 22 possessions and Higgs 17.

Lachlan Martinis also picked up 24 disposals for the Tigers, Zac Langdon 24, Tom Shanahan 22, John Williams 20, Luke Maddock 19 and Cameron Palmer 18.

Jesse Adamini kicked two goals to go with 22 possessions for East Fremantle while Jake Schleicher gathered 26 touches, Tom Hooker 24, Tyler Chalwell 23, Fraser Perry 22, Josh Cuneo 22 and Tom Marshall 20.

WAFL PRELIMINARY FINAL RESULTS
LEAGUE
South Fremantle 10.10 (70) lost to Peel Thunder 16.13 (109)

RESERVES
Claremont 15.13 (103) defeated East Fremantle 6.12 (48)

REDiMED COLTS
Perth 7.8 (50) lost to East Perth 12.14 (86)