Peel pulled away after half time, overpowering the WAFL Eagles to record a 14.15 (99) to 7.5 (47) win.
West Coast WAFL faced a tough task on Saturday afternoon, taking on the reigning premiers in cool, breezy conditions at Lane Group Stadium.
The match began with a scrappy opening term from both sides, but Peel settled first with four unanswered goals to take control.
Loch Rawlinson gave the Eagles a bright start with the game’s opening goal, and while West Coast initially held their own in the midfield, the Thunder’s mobile forward line and efficient ball movement proved too much to handle.
Peel took a 21-point lead into quarter time, with the Eagles struggling to exit their defensive half cleanly.
West Coast showed more composure in the second quarter, moving the ball with greater purpose and making the most of their forward entries.
Corey Tregenza opened the term with his second major for Peel before Rawlinson responded with his second for the Eagles.
Goals to Shannon Lucassen and Tom Gross trimmed the margin to just 19-points at half time, giving West Coast a sniff of momentum. But it was all Peel in the third quarter, a term that has troubled both sides this season.
The Thunder capitalised on West Coast's lack of pressure around the contest, winning the ball at the source and taking full advantage inside 50.
Aiden Riddle and Jack Sears added goals as Peel pulled away, while Harry Barnett and Jacob Newton offered brief resistance with goals of their own. Still, the Eagles trailed by 28-points heading into the final term.
The Thunder flexed their muscle in the fourth quarter, continuing to dominate across the ground.
Corey Tregenza asserted himself with his third and fourth goals, while Kyelan Sanders kicked two in quick succession to seal the result.
Hamish Davis added a late goal for West Coast, but the damage was done, as Peel ran away with a commanding 52-point win.
Will Brodie was prolific for the Thunder, finishing with a game-high 34 disposals and seven tackles. While Tregenza's four-goal haul made a major impact in his return.
Despite the result, the Eagles saw a spirited performance from Jobe Shanahan, who managed 21 disposals.
Jack Petruccelle and Harley Sparks did their best in defence, while young forward Rawlinson impressed with two majors and 10 disposals.
The bye next weekend comes at an important time for West Coast, offering a chance to reset and regroup before the second half of the season.
PEEL THUNDER 4.5 6.9 9.14 14.15 (99)
WEST COAST 1.2 4.2 6.3 7.5 (47)
Goals
Peel Thunder: Tregenza 4, Riddle, Sanders, Nicholls 2, Colton, Dudley, Sears, Reidy. West Coast: Rawlinson 2, Lucassen, Gross, Barnett, Newton, Davis.
Best
Peel Thunder: Nicholls, Narkle, Reidy, Brodie, Tregenza, Riddle. West Coast: Shanahan, Sparks, Bazzo, Rawlinson, Grego, Chesser, Petruccelle.
