BACK-to-back goals from East Fremantle forward Chloe Reilly allowed the Sharks to hold off a plucky Peel Thunder and avoid a second straight heartbreaking loss to open the WAFL Women’s season. In East Fremantle’s return game to the newly named The Good Grocer Park following renovations, the Sharks got up 6.3 (39) to 4.2 (26) in a closer than expected contest.

Peel Thunder threw down a challenge when Ebony Bilcich levelled the scores at the 10-minute mark of the final quarter, but Reilly answered that challenge with the last two goals of the game to win by 13 points and celebrate the return to the ground.

Last year’s wooden spooners got the jump on the 2024 grand finalists with Arianne Norris kicking the first of her two goals just a couple of minutes into the match. East Fremantle got the response it was after when last week’s four-goal forward Alicia Blizard found Sarah Wielstra for a response a few minutes later.

While Peel missed a few chances, the work of Evie Cowcher in defence alongside the experienced pair of Cassie Davidson and Ebony Dowson quelled a number of Shark forward thrusts and helped Peel take a two-point advantage into the first break. Despite in the past East being able to shake off an early challenge from a developing side like Peel, the Thunder refused to be fended off.

Both sides kicked a goal in the second term with Riley Fisher putting the Thunder eight points clear early in the term, only for Anjelique Raison to cut that back to two in the final few minutes. Peel was winning its fair share of the ball and generating drive inside 50 from the likes of Bilcich and ex-Shark Chloe Wrigley.

The third term was an almighty struggle between two defences with neither team able to capitalise on forward 50 entries until the last minute when Grace Freeman handed her side a narrow five-point lead. Expected to go on with it in the final term, the Thunder refused to give in and Norris pounced on a chance inside 50 to regain the lead for Peel.

Fortunately for the Sharks, Jasmine Johansen responded a few minutes later, and the Sharks held a six-point lead throughout the quarter. There would be yet another twist in the tale when Bilcich scored against the grain close to goal and levelled the match with 10 minutes remaining. With the game on the line, enter Reilly.

The talented forward missed one chance but gave her side the lead, before clinically converting a goal in the last five minutes to make it a seven-point advantage. Though still time for the Thunder, the Sharks maintained forward ascendancy and not only repelled the Thunder, but kept attacking so Reilly could covert another set shot in the last minute to ice the game.

While the margin was 13 points, it stood at just one heading into the last five minutes, showing just how close the Thunder had got to the title contenders. Wielstra made a successful return with 18 disposals, eight marks and a goal, while Reilly’s two majors from 13 disposals was crucial in the victory. Maya Louvel-Finn continued her great form in defence, while the experience of Ashleigh Gomes, Jae Flynn and Ashlee Atkins stood out.

Bilcich controlled the midfield alongside Wrigley as the pair found plenty of the ball and had nine inside 50s between them. Norrish as the sole multiple goalkicker for the winners, while the defensive trio of Dowson, Davidson and Cowcher were steadfast.

East Fremantle prepares for a grand final rematch against Claremont next Saturday evening, with Peel Thunder taking on the unbeaten South Fremantle on the road.

EAST FREMANTLE 1.0 | 2.0 | 3.1 | 6.3 (39)
PEEL THUNDER 1.2 | 2.2 | 2.2 | 4.2 (26)

GOALS:
East Fremantle: C. Reilly 2, J. Johansen, S. Wielstra, A. Raison, G. Freeman
Peel Thunder: A. Norris 2, R. Fisher, E. Bilcich

RMC BEST:
East Fremantle: S. Wielstra, M. Louvel-Finn, C. Reilly, A. Gomes, L. Gubbins
Peel Thunder: A. Norris, E. Bilcich, C. Wrigley, E. Cowvher, C. Davidson

AROUND THE GROUNDS

South Fremantle made it two from two with a comfortable 43-point win over Perth at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday night. The Bulldogs were inaccurate in front of goal, kicking 6.14 (50) to 1.1 (7) though last week’s hero Zoe Huggett (three goals) and Poppy Stockwell (two) were both fantastic. The AFLW experience Tahleah Mulder and Tara Stribley stood out, while Holly Britton and Fina Dethlefsen were both among the best for Perth.

Reigning premiers Claremont got the job done against West Perth in a preliminary final rematch. The Tigers had a bye in Round 1, and despite taking a little while to get going, kicked away late to record a 25-point win. Youngster Ella Gilbey starred with 2.2 from 14 disposals, while the experience of Jayme Harken and Sasha Goranova was crucial in the win. Sara Riou had 17 touches and kicked the Falcons’ only goal, while top-ager Mia Russo had a team-high 18 disposals.

Remaining unbeaten alongside South Fremantle across the first fortnight, Subiaco dominated the first half against East Perth to secure a 28-point victory. The Lions kicked five goals to nil across the first two quarters, and while the Royals kept fighting to finish strong, were a little too late going down, 7.6 (48) to 3.2 (20). Krstel Petrevski was outstanding through the midfield with fellow AFLW-experience players Paige Sheppard and Lisa Steane, while Maggie MacLachlan laid 10 tackles from 18 touches. Jess Verbrugge, Layla Firns and Lucy Greenwood were the standouts for East Perth.