WAFL: Lions fall to Bulldogs in season opener

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Subiaco fought valiantly, but ultimately went down in an 8-point thriller against South Fremantle at Leederville Oval on Saturday April 16.

The Lions held the lead for the majority of the match despite the constant arm wrestle and put in a spirited effort to try and claim the four points.

However, it was South Fremantle who were able to put themselves in front in the end to claim the 8.7 (55) to 6.11 (47) win.

Subiaco’s seasoned players stood up in the contest to try and get the victory, with captain Leigh Kitchin impressing with 28 disposals and eight inside 50s.

Angus Dewar was the calm head in a young Lions backline and looked in control, while Kyle Stainsby showed his versatility through the midfield with 11 tackles.

It was a different looking Subiaco outfit, with health and safety protocols and injuries leading to eight debutants for the club.

Among them was former Docker Stefan Giro, who worked hard for 28 disposals and eight tackles.

Subiaco looked to control the game early, with their precision kicking on full display.

Corey Robinson made the most of his first chance at league level, putting his first disposal through for Subiaco’s first goal of the year.

Jordan Faraone snapped for goal soon after, to put the Lions up by 14 points.

Control looked to be the key for the Lions, with a strong breeze towards the northern end proving to be an aid.

It was all going Subiaco’s way when Ben Sokol was awarded a free kick inside 50, which he converted.

However, a late Bulldogs goal from Zac Strom meant the margin was nine points at quarter time.

There were periods of domination from both sides in the second term, as each team looked to break away.

Sokol was amongst the action again as he took a spectacular one handed mark thanks to a kick from Aaron Breman.

The big-bodied forward kicked truly, to extend the margin for the Lions.

Shortly after, debutant Noah Ash ended a quick chain of passes with a snap on the run, as Subiaco stretched their lead to 17 points.

From there South Fremantle kicked into gear.

They began to play with more purpose, and their pressure was turned up to make life difficult for the Lions.

Their period of strong play reduced the margin to just one point at the main break.

The third quarter proved to be an arm wrestle between the two sides, as the teams battled for supremacy in the contest.

While Subiaco had the majority of the play, they could not get the opportunities in front of goal that they would have liked. 

The marks taken by the forwards inside 50 resulted in tight shots on goal, a credit to the Bulldogs defence. 

Ryan Borchet was able to get on the end of a loose ball halfway through the term and snapped it for a goal to stretch the lead to 10 points.

However, South Fremantle would not back down, and kicked a goal towards the end of the term to get the margin to three points at three quarter time. 

It was game on in the last, and the Bulldogs fired the first shot with Caleb Datson putting his team in front for the first time in the match.

Scoring was hard to come by, with both teams unable to capitalise when they had possession of the ball.

Subiaco were unable to score in the term, as South Fremantle kicked a second in time on to seal the eight-point win.

In the other games for the Lions, the Colts got off to the best possible start with a comprehensive 52-point victory.

Forward Koltyn Tholstrup impressed with three goals, while Ethan Barbieri was influential with a team high 26 disposals and 10 marks.

Meanwhile, it was a tough day out for the reserves who went down by 57 points.

Tensions will be high in Subiaco’s next clash, when the Lions take on Claremont at Revo Fitness Stadium on Saturday April 23.

SUBIACO                       3.5    5.7    6.11    6.11    (47)
SOUTH FREMANTLE    2.2    5.6    6.7      8.7     (55)

Goals: Sokol 2; Ash, Borchet,  J Faraone, Robinson.
Best: Delahunty, Kitchin, Dewar, Heal, C Faraone, La Fontaine.