Peel coach Geoff Valentine praised out-of-favour Fremantle midfielder Connor Blakely for his “first-class attitude” amid a tough situation personally.

Blakely capped off a best-afield performance at Lane Group Stadium on Saturday with a strong final term to help the Thunder get over the line in a thriller against last year’s grand finalists South Fremantle.

He finished with a game-high 31 possessions to go with seven marks, five inside 50s and five tackles.

The 26-year-old hasn’t added to his 78 career AFL games this season and doesn’t look like getting another contract at the Dockers, despite averaging more than 27 disposals per game in the WAFL.

“Connor has been fantastic for us,” Valentine said.

“He’s been dealing with a tough situation professionally for himself at the moment.

“He can’t get himself back into the team at the moment and is out of contract so he’s obviously got a lot to think about but his attitude down here has been first-class.

“We’re just really thankful and grateful with the way he goes about it.”

Valentine was happy as a whole to come away with a hard-fought 14-point win, 10.12 (72) to 8.10 (58), over a quality and experienced Bulldogs outfit to claim the Gary Holland Cup.

It was a vital four points which kept the Thunder in fifth spot on the ladder, percentage ahead of Swan Districts who thrashed West Coast on the same day.

“It was super to get a win against that opposition in those sorts of conditions,” Valentine said.

“They’re a really strong contested team so for our young fellas to be able to go head-to-head with the likes of Haiden Schloithe, Nick Suban and Steve Verrier was really pleasing.”

Premiership defender Joel Hamling (illness) and rebounder Nathan Wilson (COVID) are both expected to face Claremont on Saturday at Revo Fitness Stadium.

But hulking forward Josh Treacy, who hasn’t played since the round 14 win over Perth on July 23, may be sidelined for a bit longer as he deals with a viral illness.

“I think he’s battling some viral thing which just hasn’t allowed him to come up, so I think he’ll be right to get back on the training track this week and we’ll go from there,” Valentine said.

“If we don’t have him back next week, he won’t be far away. The problem now is the de-load and how much training he needs.”

South Fremantle have a major injury concern out of the loss with tough nut Jarrad Doney limping off late in the opening half with the assistance of two trainers after a left knee injury, the result of a collision with Mitch Crowden, and took no further part in the match.

“He’s got a slight MCL (medial collateral ligament),” Bulldogs coach Todd Curley told Channel Seven during the match.

The Bulldogs were well serviced by Sandover medallist Haiden Schloithe, running machine Tom Blechynden and former Eagle Brendon Ah Chee in the midfield.

Bernie Naylor medallist Mason Shaw also had a successful return to the league side after a month in the reserves post-knee injury, booting 2.2 from 15 touches including a lead-changing goal 10 minutes into the final term.

Down back, Jordan Boullineau was excellent in his comeback against his old team.