Sunday Round 12 McDonald's WAFL ResultsMonday, June 6, 2016 - 12:59 AM - by Chris Pike

PEEL Thunder kicked the last two goals to beat Subiaco by four points in a thriller at Domain Stadium to open Round 12 of the WAFL on Sunday.

The game was originally scheduled for Saturday at Medibank Stadium, but the game was moved from the Leederville venue over concerns with the turf in the centre square.

As a result, Domain Stadium hosted its first WAFL game of the season on Sunday and it proved a tremendous battle between two finalists from last year, and from the teams that now sit second and third on the ladder respectively.

Peel led by as much as 18 points during the first half, but Subiaco managed to lead by seven points at half-time and then still by eight heading into time-on of the final term.

But the Thunder kicked the final two goals of the contest through Rory O'Brien and Blair Bell to secure the 11.8 (74) to 10.10 (70) win.

It is Peel's third straight victory this season and improves the Thunder to third position on the ladder with a 7-4 record. Subiaco has now lost three of its last five matches but remains in second spot with 8-3.

The victory is also Peel's first against Subiaco since Round 8, 2013 ending the Thunder's six-game losing run against the Lions.

On top of kicking the winning goal, Blair Bell had a strong game for Peel as a bustling and lively half-forward. The eighth-gamer from Mandurah finished the afternoon with 19 possessions, seven marks, five inside-50 entries and three goals.

Fremantle's Matt de Boer worked hard to try and force his way back into the AFL line-up. He starred in Peel's midfield racking up 36 possessions to go with eight tackles, six marks and four inside 50s.

Tendai Mzungu also lined up for the Thunder and ended up with 21 disposals but it was his poise with the game on the line that was most important.

Brad Walsh worked hard for 22 touches for Peel while captain Gerald Ugle likely played his best game of the season despite being scoreless, finishing with 22 possessions with his left-foot kicking a highlight.

Rory O'Brien finished with 21 possessions and two goals for Peel with Jack Hannath also kicking two majors as did Brad McGowan.

Big man Zac Clarke worked hard in the ruck for 17 disposals, 37 hit outs, five marks and a goal.

Josh Deluca also gathered 19 possessions, Ed Langdon 19 and Tanner Smith 16 to go with 10 marks in a fascinating duel at full-back on Hamish Shepheard.

Speaking of Shepheard, he worked hard for Subiaco ending up with 17 possessions, nine hit outs, eight marks and a goal. Dylan Clarke had another good showing for the Lions with three goals from 13 kicks while Hayden Yarran made the most of his chances kicking two good goals.

Aaron Heal was outstanding defensively for Subiaco and had 18 possessions and seven marks in the back-line.

Captain Kyal Horsley didn’t stop trying for the Lions finishing with 23 disposals and 11 tackles while Leigh Kitchin gathered 22 touches, Chris Phelan 21, Simon Moore 19 and Greg Clark 17.

It was Peel who got off to the fast start with the game's first two goals in less than four minutes. Subiaco soon steadied when second-gamer Yarran snapped truly but with the Thunder added a third inside 13 minutes they led the Lions by 12 points.

A goal to Moore brought Subiaco back to within a goal at quarter-time though.

Peel once again began the second term strongly with big man Clarke nailing a good goal from long range and then second-gamer McGowan just managed to make the distance from little more than 25m out from goal.

That gave the Thunder an 18-point advantage but the Lions weren’t about to go away and steadied for the rest of the half playing their best football over the match leading into half-time.

Goals for Subiaco to Adam Cockie, two to Dylan Clarke and another to Phelan gave the Lions a seven-point lead at the long break.

The trend of the day continued with Peel opening the quarter strongly again kicking the first of the third term when Langdon earned some reward for his hard running with a good snap. That brought the Thunder within a point and Bell's second of the day soon put them in front by five.