WAFL Review: RD12 vs Swan Districts

Subiaco hung on against Swan Districts in a low-scoring but competitive bout, walking away as 4-point victors and keeping their position in the top 5.

The Swans were threatening and had chances to snatch the game in the dying minutes, but the Lions proved to be too strong in a much-needed win.

Keeping the tradition from the previous week, Jack Mayo opened the scoring for Subiaco, before the Swans quickly replied with a goal of their own off the boot of Bryce Watson. Subiaco were dominant in the first quarter and managed to pile on another two goals through Campbell Henderson and Rory Murison, going into the opening break leading 3.1 (19) to 2.0 (12).

The second quarter lacked scoreboard pressure but remained compelling, offering glimpses of rapid and exciting end-to-end ball movement, hard-hitting tackles and repeat stoppages. Swan Districts largely controlled the term, and Subiaco were fortunate their opponents couldn’t capitalise on their dominance, only scoring 2.4 (16). The Lions did manage to pinch one against the tide, though, through Jack Petruccelle, in his return match, kicking the only major of the quarter. Despite Petruccelle’s contribution, Subiaco trailed at the long break 4.2 (26) to 4.4 (28).

Coach Jarrad Schofield gathered his pride at the break, demanding a strong second half to run away against the 9th-placed Swans. Despite the shaky start, conceding the first two goals of the third quarter and trailing by a game-high difference of 16 points, the Lions responded well, with Subiaco’s Stefan Giro leading the charge out of the centre, winning repeat clearances. Momentum was starting to swing in favour of the Lions, which saw a bit of magic from Richard Bartlett, producing an amazing dribble kick from forty-five metres out to completely change the state of the game. Campbell Henderson, who was brought into the league side, proved to be the difference, marking everything that came his way and capitalising on the scoreboard with a crucial set shot goal. Jack Mayo slotted his second for the game to put the Lions in front by 3 points heading into the final term, 7.3 (45) to 6.6 (42).

The Lions maintained their momentum from the third into the last, jumping out to an equal game-high lead of 16 points as a result of goals from Campbell Henderson and Richard Bartlett, repeating their duties from the previous quarter. The Swans had gathered their bearings and started to peg the lead back late in the fourth quarter, kicking two goals of their own to cut the margin down to just 4 in the dying minutes of the game. The Swans’ late push was not enough to defeat the Lions, who claimed their second win in a row to stay in the top 5.

A best-on-ground performance from Campbell Henderson saw him finish the game with 14 disposals, 9 marks and 3 goals, making a statement to the coaches and the opposition. Jack Mayo produced another dominant performance, finishing the day with 22 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles and 2 goals. These two players proved to be the difference in the narrow victory, stepping up in much-needed stages of the game.

Subiaco: 3.1 4.2 7.3 9.6 (60) Swan Districts: 2.0 4.4 6.6 8.8 (56)

Best Players Subiaco: C Henderson, G Clark, J Mayo, J McGowan Swan Districts: J Cipro, O Harvey, L Cotellessa, L Impey, J Pina

Goal Kickers Subiaco: 3 – C Henderson; 2 – J Mayo, R Bartlett; 1 – J Petruccelle, R Murison Swan Districts: 2 – C Hinchliffe; 1 – B Hewett, J Pina, E Kane, W Collins, B Watson, L Impey

Attendance: 996 at Sullivan Logistics Stadium.