East Perth’s yo-yo season continued with a disappointing 25-point loss to Peel at Bendigo Bank Stadium on Saturday.

The Royals fell outside the top five once again following their 14.8 (92) to 10.7 (67) defeat to the Thunder, who jumped from eighth spot and into finals contention.

Peel dominated the game’s early exchanges but East Perth worked their way into the contest and kicked the final three goals of the opening term to secure a 15-point lead ahead of the first change of ends.

The home team got busy at the coalface and took advantage of a howling breeze in the second quarter by kicking seven unanswered goals to secure a 29-point advantage at the main break.

East Perth senior coach Luke Webster switched things up in the third term, swinging key forwards Jarrod Brander and Jake Waterman back to slow Peel’s attacking raids.

The plan worked well as the Thunder only managed two goals in the penultimate quarter.

However, the Royals failed to hurt the home side on the scoreboard and only clawed back seven points despite having the gale-force breeze behind them.

The AFL affiliate heavyweights went goal-for-goal in the final term, thus ensuring a comfortable Thunder victory.

Sheed was among East Perth’s most impressive performers alongside dogged half-back Kurt Mutimer (22 disposals, nine half-back rebounds), midfielder Luke Partington (20 disposals, three goals) and utility Brendon Ah Chee (21 disposals, four marks), who split ruck duties with West Coast rookie Tony Olango (22 hitouts).

Brander wielded significant influence in the defensive half, reeling in several crucial marks that halted Peel’s forward advances.

He was well supported by Francis Watson (19 disposals, eight marks), Josh Rotham (eight spoils) and Oscar Allen (six spoils, five marks).

Matthew Allen (13 disposals, seven contested possessions) spent most of the game in the midfield alongside emerging onballer Brayden Ainsworth (17 disposals, one goal), while Jake Waterman (14 disposals, four marks, one goal) showed his versatility by playing forward and back throughout the contest.

PEEL 2.0 9.3 11.4 14.8 92

EAST PERTH 4.3 4.4 7.6 10.7 67

GOALS - PEEL: Bell, Sheridan, Giro 2; Ugle, Pearce, Lawler, T. Bennell, Boullineau, McGowan, Switkowski, Dixon.

EAST PERTH: Partington 3; Sheed 2; Wright, Waterman, Ainsworth, Samelko, Hill.