In bleak and rainy conditions, the Eagles pushed the home side all the way in a see-sawing contest before Peel kicked away late to secure the win, 10.8 (68) to 8.8 (56) at Lane Group Stadium on Sunday.
It was a special day for Josh Burke, who celebrated his 50th WAFL game, while the Eagles unveiled two debutants Connor Klemke and Charlie Banfield, son of club great Drew Banfield, who kicked a memorable goal in his first appearance in blue and gold.
The game got off to a hot start with four goals in the opening 10 minutes. Jacob Newton and Orien Kerr hit the scoreboard early for West Coast, but Peel found answers through Liam Reidy and Jonathon Ietto before taking a 10-point lead into quarter time.
As the rain settled in, the second term became a grind. Both teams struggled to score until Jayden Hunt finally broke through for the Eagles with the only goal of the quarter, keeping the Eagles within eight points at the main break.
With the rain easing in the third quarter, West Coast came out firing.
Loch Rawlinson’s early major closed the gap to just one point, before Peel surged with three consecutive goals to extend their advantage.
The highlight of the quarter came from Banfield, who drilled a long-range goal in front of proud father Drew. Tom Gross also chimed in with a late goal to reduce the margin to 11- points heading into the final term.
The final quarter went down to the wire. Gross kicked his second and Rawlinson followed soon after to give the Eagles a one-point lead midway through the term.
But Peel steadied, with a late goal from Charlie Nicholls and another on the siren from Tyrone Thorne sealing the result.
Liam Reidy controlled the ruck for Peel, racking up 19 disposals and six inside 50s, while Will Brodie and Quinton Narkle were prolific through the midfield, each collecting a game-high 41 possessions.
Despite the loss, there were plenty of positives for West Coast. Tom Gross was electric in the midfield finishing with 23 disposals and two goals.
Hamish Davis and Chesser Campbell also impressed with their composure and pressure around the ball.
The Eagles will look to bounce back next weekend when they face East Perth at Sullivan Logistics Stadium.
PEEL THUNDER 4.2 4.7 8.7 10.8 (68)
WEST COAST 2.4 3.5 6.8 8.8 (56)
GOALS
Peel Thunder: Tregenza (2), Nicholls (2) Reidy, Ietto, Carr, Delean, Brodie, Sanders. West Coast: Gross (2), Rawlinson (2), Newton, Kerr, Hunt, Banfield.
BEST
Peel Thunder: Brodie, Reidy, Narkle, Sharp, Carr, Tregenza. West Coast: Gross, Hunt, Davis, Grego, Kerr, Rawlinson, Petruccelle, Chesser
