WAFL grand final: Peel Thunder destroy Claremont at Optus Stadium to secure club’s fourth premiership

Peel Thunder produced a near-record breaking first half to set up a 62-point thumping of Claremont and secure the club’s fourth premiership.

From the opening bounce the Thunder had the game on their terms, and while they dropped away slightly after half-time, they were never in danger of conceding a lead.

Ultimately, the Peel outfit featuring 14 Fremantle-listed players proved too slick, fit and clinical in a 16.17 (113) to 7.9 (51) belting of the Tigers at Optus Stadium on Sunday.

Jeremy Sharp was crowned Simpson medallist, with the Sandover Medal runner-up outstanding with 27 disposals, seven inside-50s and a goal.

Cooper Simpson (25 disposals, five tackles and a goal) and Bailey Banfield (30 disposals and 12 marks) drove the game from half-back.

Up forward, young Fremantle key forward Charlie Nicholls capped off a breakout season with three majors, while reliable defender Hugh Davie was outstanding down back with 12 marks and 23 disposals.

For the Tigers, co-captain Bailey Rogers was brave but outmatched in the midfield with 25 disposals, while Sam Alvarez (27 touches) worked tirelessly down back.

But they just had no answers for the outside run of the Thunder, especially in the first half before they matched Peel after the main break but the game was well and truly over.

It ensured a perfect start to the week for Fremantle ahead of their AFL grand final against Brisbane at the MCG on Saturday, with several teammates in the crowd watching on from a private box.

Small forward Tobyn Murray kicked the first goal after only 42 seconds, before big forward Nicholls opened his account to give Peel the first two.

They were all over the Tigers but kicking wayward in front of goal, booting 2.5 to within 13 minutes to establish the running.

Claremont finally settled when a contest forward of 50 gave Talon Delacey an opportunity to snap the Tigers’ first goal.

But they were over-possessing the football, handballing into danger and inviting the pressure from Peel who were more than happy to oblige.

And once they forced the turnover, the Thunder were relentless on the counterattack, using the vast turf of Optus Stadium to open Claremont up across the ground.