PEEL Thunder were brought crashing back to reality on Saturday, smashed by East Fremantle just a week after their massive win over Claremont.
The 87-point loss highlighted the Sharks silky midfield and the lack of depth of the Thunder squad.
It was an even opening term, but the Thunder were lucky to trail by just 15 points at the first break after the Sharks wasted a few early opportunities.
Again the Thunder could produce just two goals in a quarter of football as the Sharks piled on four more goals to lead at the main break by 31.
It all fell apart for the Thunder in the third, as the forward line failed to fire.
Matt Battye, James Bristow, Eddy Dann and Brad Holmes all failed to slot a single major for the match, despite being the club’s targets up forward.
In stark contrast, Sharks’ rookie Adam Waight slotted three goals while key forward Robert Young had four.
The eight-goal-to-just-one-quarter was a dismal showing by the Thunder playing group, and highlighted the side’s lack of effort for four quarters.
The Thunder looked a shadow of the side that climbed above ladder-leaders Claremont on June 2.
The Sharks kicked eight straight goals to ensure they had the biggest lead they could muster by the three-quarter time break as the Thunder faced a 69-point deficit.
With the match effectively over, Sharks’ Jack Perham slotted another two majors to take his tally for the match to four as the margin continued to grow.
By full-time the Sharks claimed their seventh win of the year 21.12 (138) to 7.9 (51).
Scott Lycett was the only standout up forward with three goals for the match while Pat Travers found his early season form to collect 32 disposals, including 10 marks, eight inside 50s and a goal and captain Brendon Jones racked up 31 disposals.
But a serious knee injury to Lycett soured his match. He looks set to spend six to eight weeks on the sidelines and will be joined by tough defender Blayne Wilson who appears finished for season 2012.
The Thunder will need to regroup ahead of their clash with ladder-leaders Swan Districts on Saturday at Bendigo Bank Stadium.