Fremantle draftee Brennan Cox continued his emergence as a promising key defender as Peel Thunder thrashed a hapless Perth by 90 points at Lathlain Park.

The 18-year-old dominated in the air across centre-half back, finishing with 17 marks and 26 disposals as Peel’s dominant midfield set up the 18.15 (123) to 5.3 (33) demolition.

Cox, who stands at 193cm, cut off many of the Demons’ rare forays into attack as the hosts managed just 39 inside-50s for the match.

Fremantle rookie Josh Deluca was also hugely impressive in his first game for the year on return from a groin injury.

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Deluca booted an equal game-high three goals and amassed 23 disposals in an influential role split between the midfield and forward line.

The final scoreline marked Perth’s lowest total for the season and one of their worst performances under coach Earl Spalding in a departure from the competitive spirit shown this season.

Peel seized control of the match with six successive goals from midway through the second quarter, with Fremantle’s affiliate enjoying a clear advantage in the ruck courtesy of Jon Griffin and Sean Darcy.

Leroy Jetta booted three goals in the run that snuffed out Perth’s early spark.

His third major summed up the hosts’ misfortunes, with the Demons failing to force a rushed behind midway through the second quarter only for Jetta to volley through a goal while still lying on the ground.

Perth had little answer to Peel’s abundance of goal-kicking options both in attack and through the midfield as Fremantle veteran Zac Dawson was used forward for a second successive game.

Dawson set up Hayden Ballantyne’s first goal and booted one of his own to open the second quarter in an industrious showing.

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But it was some of the Thunder’s running players who were particularly effective, with Deluca and Corey Morris pushing deep into attack to kick multiple goals.

Griffin used his height to good advantage to enjoy one of his best games for the year, finishing with 19 disposals, 36 hit-outs and two goals.

Successive majors to Darcy in the space of two minutes to open the second half ended any faint hopes of a comeback from Perth.

The win gave Peel a valuable two-game buffer inside the top five ahead of next weekend’s State game bye.

PEEL THUNDER 4.2 9.7 15.8 18.15 (123)

PERTH 2.1 3.1 4.3 5.3 (33)

GOALS – PEEL THUNDER: Jetta, Deluca 3; Ballantyne, Darcy, Griffin, Morris 2; Dawson, Ugle, Ryan, Bell. PERTH: Jacobs, Jones, Browne, Stack, Garstone.

BEST – PEEL THUNDER: Cox, Deluca, Griffin, Ryan, Suban, Morris, Bennell. PERTH: Sinclair, Jacobs, Tropiano, Narrier, Morisey.

INJURIES – PERTH: Garstone (concussion).

UMPIRES: L Jago, A Martin, B Evans.

CROWD: 1400 (approx) at Lathlain Park.