Peel Thunder’s finals hopes have a pulse, but they gave their fans plenty of heart flutters before recording a 26-point win over reigning premiers Subiaco at Lane Group Stadium.

The Lions had enjoyed a near decade-long love affair with the Mandurah ground, having won their past 10 clashes there, and needed another to keep their slim hopes of defending their premiership alive.

After surviving an early onslaught in the final term from a desperate home side, the Lions looked like they could steal the game until the Thunder kicked the final three goals to run out with a 10.15 (75) to 7.7 (49) win.

The victory was vital for Peel, who sit just one win outside of the top five as the season nears its climax, but they looked anything but a premiership threat.

Their biggest advantage was their strong AFL-listed contingent running through the midfield.

Yet only ruckman Lloyd Meek (38 hit-outs, 22 disposals and a goal) stood head and shoulders above the rest, dominating the contest in the absence of Sandover medallist Lachlan Delahunty.

Mitch Crowden (30 disposals and nine clearances), and Darcy Tucker (27 and 10) lifted in the final quarter to ensure they got the victory, but it could have been a lot sooner if they’d been more efficient.

Subiaco’s senior players led the way. Stefan Giro had a day out with a game-high 34 disposals and six inside 50s, while Harry Marsh (22 disposals) and Leigh Kitchin (24) were doing their part.

It was on the outside where the Lions were found wanting, unable to match the pace of the Thunder when they decided to utilise it.

For all either side’s good work, a lack of efficiency going forward was proving costly as goals became hard to come by in succession.

The Thunder only got two goals out of their three Fremantle forwards in Sebit Kuek, Sam Sturt and Josh Treacy, who were all well beaten by their respective opponents.

Lions veteran Angus Dewar had a fascinating match-up on Kuek, testing the mid-season draftee physically as he tried to stop the young man from using his incredible leap.

Subiaco forwards Ryan Borchet and Ben Sokol combined for four of the Lions’ seven goals, but were starved of opportunity as the once classy outfit looked a shell of the side which won the 2021 premiership.

Scoreboard

PEEL THUNDER 2.2, 5.7, 6.9, 10.15 (75)

SUBIACO 3.4, 5.7, 6.7, 7.7 (49)

Goals – PEEL THUNDER: G Barnes R Bennell M Johnson S Kuek H Matthews L Meek L Polson J Treacy D Tucker J Western. SUBIACO: R Borchet 2 B Sokol 2 M Braut A Breman L Vanirsen.

Best – PEEL THUNDER: L Meek D Tucker M Crowden N Wilson L Henry J Western. SUBIACO: S Giro H Marsh L Hickmott L Kitchin D Rohde A Dewar.

Injuries – SUBIACO: Ba Matera (illness) replaced in the selected side by L Vanirsen.

Umpires: M Adams C Jones C Spencer. Crowd: About 1000 at Lane Group Stadium.