EAST Perth has proven that lightning does indeed strike twice, pulling off an extraordinary one-point comeback victory over Peel Thunder at Lane Group Stadium to make it two remarkable come-from-behind wins against the same opponent in the same season. Returning from a representative league-wide bye, the Royals found themselves in a familiar position – chasing down a significant deficit in the second half – before securing a famous 5.5 (35) to 5.4 (34) triumph.

The victory carries an incredible sense of deja vu for both sides. Back in Round 1, East Perth stared down a 24-point deficit early in the second quarter against the Thunder before fighting back to win by two points. In Round 8, it was a similar story of resilience, with the Royals trailing by 13 points at the final change before booting 3.3 to 1.1 in a breathtaking final term to steal the points on the road.

The match started as a low-scoring, defensive grind. East Perth grabbed the early ascendancy, kicking 1.1 to 0.2 in the opening term. The second quarter followed a similar pattern, with both sides trading a single major apiece to see the Royals hold a six-point advantage at the main break. However, the third quarter belonged entirely to Peel Thunder. The home side found their rhythm, slicing through the Royals’ defensive lines to boot three goals while keeping East Perth completely scoreless. Leading by 13 points heading into the final term, the Thunder looked primed to avenge their heartbreaking Round 1 defeat.

But the Royals refused to lay down. Led by the composure of Kahra Sprlyan and the electric speed of Elissa Price (13 disposals, five marks, six inside 50s and a goal), East Perth began to dominate the clearances and flood the forward half. Price and Saffi Jennings both added their names to the scoreboard with crucial goals to put the Royals in front with eight minutes to go.

Another twist was to come, as the ever-reliable Kate Bartlett – who had been well held on the day – handed her side back the lead in the final four minutes, before heartbreak would revist the home team. Looking all but set for their first win of the 2026 season, the Thunder fans watched on in disbelief as Brooke Edwards kicked the match-winner in the last 30 seconds to seal another incredible come-from-behind victory, 5.5 (35) to 5.4 (34).

Lucy Greenwood was again outstanding in transition, collecting 23 disposals, six tackles and four inside 50s. Midfield engine Summer Mollross was tireless with 19 disposals and seven tackles, while Elly Sara provided excellent support with 19 disposals, four marks and six tackles. Jennings was crucial forward of centre with 14 disposals, seven tackles and a vital goal, while ruck Edwards controlled the stoppages with 25 hitouts to go along with 14 disposals, four tackles and her match-winning goals. Taylah Suda (11 disposals, two marks) and Layla Firns (11 disposals, three tackles) also provided important contributions across the ground.

For the Thunder, Chloe Wrigley was an absolute force in the midfield, racking up a game-high 32 disposals, eight tackles and three inside 50s in a performance that deserved to be on the winning side. Ebony Bilcich was highly influential with 16 disposals, five tackles and six inside 50s to go with a goal, while Anke Grove tried her heart out with 15 disposals and three tackles. Georgia Tait looked the most dangerous Peel scorer with two goals from 10 touches and two inside 50s, while Layla Scott (13 disposals, three tackles) was also among the better performers in a difficult defeat.

PEEL THUNDER 0.2 | 1.2 | 4.3 | 5.4 (34)
EAST PERTH 1.1 | 2.2 | 2.2 | 5.5 (35)

GOALS:
Peel Thunder: G. Tait 2, K. Bartlett, E. Bilcich, T. Cooper
East Perth: E. Price, T. Kohn, B. Edwards, S. Jennings, M. Yengi

RMC BEST:
Peel Thunder: C. Wrigley, A. Grove, L. Scott, G. Tait, E. Bilcich
East Perth: L. Greenwood, K. Sprlyan, E. Price, S. Mollross, T. Suda

AROUND THE GROUNDS

A massive seven-goal haul from Perth forward Poppy Stockwell helped the Demons go back-to-back and knock off West Perth with an impressive 9.2 (56) to 6.9 (45) victory. Despite the Falcons having a whopping 38 inside 50s to 22, the Demons scored 50 per cent of the times they went inside, as Stockwell (7.1) from 12 disposals and four marks was the star. Isabella Shannon and Isla Baldwin also impressed, while Tahlee McVee continues to improve back from her long-term knee injury, and Madison Dodd also found plenty of the football.

East Fremantle’s incredible against-the-odds season rolled on with a five-point victory over Subiaco. The Sharks continue to defy the odds with impressive upsets, overcoming a host of experienced player departures to knock off the Lions, 4.5 (29) to 2.12 (24). Inaccuracy was the story of the tape for Subiaco, only kicking 10 behinds outside the second term, with the Sharks holding on to keep firmly in finals contention. Mackenzie Webb (22 disposals, nine marks) was phenomenal up one end, while Anjelique Raison (13 disposals, three marks, six tackles, six inside 50s and two goals) starred up the other. Lisa Steane and Charlotte Tompkin were the standouts for the losing side.

The story of the weekend was Claremont handing Swan Districts its first loss of the WAFLW season in comprehensive fashion. for the first time in 2026, the Swans were outplayed by the opposition, having 54 less disposals, 15 less inside 50s and only scoring three behinds after quarter time as the Tigers booted 6.7 (43) to 1.4 (10). It was fitting revenge for the reigning back-to-back premiers who in Round 1, kicked the first goal of the game before going down to the black and whites. Juliet Kelly and Jayme Harken monopolised the ball and also hit the scoreboard, while Jaime Henry was a lone hand with 24 touches and 11 tackles, eight more disposals than the next highest Swan.