Sean Darcy and his Peel teammates are licking their wounds after suffering a nine-point defeat to West Coast, breaking their club record win streak of 12 games.

But it was jubilation for the Eagles who kept their season alive with the stunning 14.7 (91) to 11.16 (82) upset win on the road over top-of-the-table Thunder.

The win puts West Coast well and truly in the hunt for just their second finals appearance in club history after their inaugural season back in 2019.

In front of the Thunder’s 2016 maiden WAFL premiership hero’s, the Eagles were able to capitalise on a calf injury to Peel ruckman Sean Darcy, who took no part after halftime.

Darcy went into the rooms with a physio early in the second term, emerging 15 minutes later and returning to the field for the final minutes of the quarter. But the big man did not come out with the team for the third term, eventually reappearing from the rooms with ice on his right calf.

West Coast star midfielder Elijah Hewett was withdrawn the morning of the game, after not recovering from his corked calf suffered during last weekends win over Subiaco and looked sore as he watched his teammates.

But Hewett’s absence gave a trio of Eagles midfielders the chance to step up, with Finlay Macrae (31 disposals), Harry Schoenberg (23, 10 tackles and a goal) and Clay Hall (25) all lifting to the task against a strong Peel inside unit.

Out-of-contract Eagles ruck Matt Flynn took advantage once Darcy left the field, finishing with 19 touches and 40 hitouts.

Jeremy Sharp (33) was able to find plenty of touches, while young Dockers forward Charlie Nicholls impressed with four goals for Peel.

It was a free flowing clash from the get go as each side relished the perfect conditions at Lane Group Stadium.

Charlie Nicholls returned from a handful of weeks on the sidelines with three first-quarter goals as the Thunder looked at their dominant best early. Sharp was everywhere with 10 disposals in as many minutes.

West Coast were sloppy with their ball use but were lucky the margin was not far greater at the first change.

The roles reversed during the second term as Peel turned the ball over for fun with West Coast cleaning up their disposal efficiency and transitioned the ball with ease.

Their ascendancy around the ground was helped by Peel ruck Darcy heading into the rooms for 15 minutes throughout the term, with the Eagles kicking four goals during that time.

Midfield trio Macrae, Hall and Schoenberg all rose to the occasion along with big man Flynn during the term while Harry Barnett kicked two crucial goals to help the Eagles fight back and even the ledger heading into the main break.

Darcy was did not return to the field after halftime, making his way to the bench with an iced calf.

West Coast took control all over the field as Flynn grabbed command in the ruck against Thunder duo Josh Draper and Darcy Wills.

Barnett, Champion and Johnston all added to their goal tally as the Eagles found themselves 16-points in front with a handful of minutes to play.

But a late surge in the final two minutes saw Nicholls boot his fourth plus a goal on the run from Jaren Carr brought the margin back to just one-point at the final change.

Ryan Maric and Schoenberg both brought the crowd to their feet with great individual goals while Caleb Datson kicked his second as the Eagles booted three majors in the opening seven minutes.

A 10 minute arm wrestle was broken by Peel’s Dustin Walters but five missed opportunities by his teammates in front of goal saw the Thunder break their 12 game winning streak.

Claremont’s loss to Subiaco does mean the Thunder secure the minor premiership staying two games clear of the Tigers with one game to play.

SCOREBOARD

WEST COAST 2.4, 7.6, 11.6, 14.7 (91)

PEEL THUNDER 5.4, 7.6, 10.11, 11.16 (82)

Goals - WEST COAST: H Barnett 3 M Champion 2 H Johnston 2 C Datson 2 M Owies T Dewar S Kernutt R Maric H Schoenberg. PEEL THUNDER: C Nicholls 4 T Murray 2 D Walters 2 J Hewitt J Mathey J Carr.

Best - WEST COAST: F Macrae M Flynn H Schoenberg C Hall H Barnett R Maric.

PEEL THUNDER: C Nicholls J Sharp T Whan T Murray S Tuia L Tardrew.

Injuries - WEST COAST: E Hewett (cork) J Walsh (AFL) replaced in selected side by M Flynn and H Schoenberg, M Owies (knee). PEEL THUNDER: L Kickett A Caldow and S Hunter (All AFL) replaced in selected side by J McVee T Murray and T Whan, S Darcy (calf).

Umpires: M Adams M Forsyth G Simmonds J Kerr. Crowd: About 2000 at Lane Group Stadium.