WAFL Preliminary Final RecapSunday, September 15, 2024 - 7:14 PM - by Chris Pike

PEEL Thunder has stormed into a second straight WAFL Grand Final to set up a mouth watering match up against East Perth following a 47-point preliminary final victory in front of a huge crowd on Sunday.

Swans and the Thunder were locking horns for the third time in five weeks having beaten one another once each in Mandurah to set up a tantalising preliminary final match up at Steel Blue Oval.

The weather couldn’t have been better for the occasion either and the fans flocked to the Bassendean venue with 7192 in attendance to see who would earn the right to take on East Perth next Sunday at Optus Stadium.

Swan Districts had the crowd and ground advantage behind them, and were kicking with the aid of the breeze in the first quarter, and took full advantage kicking the first five goals of the preliminary final.

Peel managed just seven behinds in that first quarter, but they were creating opportunities and looking dangerous, and that would pay dividends the longer the game went.

It started in the second term with Peel kicking six goals to one to go into half-time leading by nine points.

The Thunder ran Swans off their feet in the second half with another nine goals to three, including seven to two in the last term on the way to the 15.13 (103) to 9.2 (56) victory.

Considering Peel and East Perth did battle in the last round of the home and away season to determine top position, it's now fitting they will meet in next Sunday's Grand Final at Optus Stadium to determine the 2024 premiers.

Matt Taberner kicked five goals in the win for the Thunder from seven kicks with Corey Tregenza managing a career-best four in his 16th game.

Liam Reidy gave Peel's on-ballers first use all day with 51 hit outs to go with 15 possessions, seven tackles and eight inside-50 entries with Neil Erasmus the biggest beneficiary with 33 disposals, eight tackles and a goal.

Nathan O'Driscoll also had 24 disposals, Karl Worner 20, Jack Sears 18 and Ethan Hughes 16.

Leigh Kohlmann, Ben Hewett and Tom Edwards all kicked two goals apiece for Swan Districts.

Sandover Medallist Nik Rokahr ended up with 23 possessions for Swans, Josh Cipro 18, Jye Chalcraft 18 and captain Brandon Erceg 17 (10 marks).

Earlier, Swan Districts' colts won their way into the Grand Final with the 10.10 (70) to 8.9 (57) win against Subiaco before East Fremantle hammered Subiaco 18.10 (118) to 5.8 (38) in the reserves preliminary final.

Both the Swan Districts colts and East Fremantle reserves will play Claremont in Grand Finals next Sunday at Optus Stadium.

WAFL FINALS SERIES – PRELIMINARY FINAL

SWAN DISTRICTS 9.2 (56) lost to PEEL THUNDER 15.13 (103)