WAFL Review: RD13 vs South Fremantle

Subiaco fell short by a point to the Bulldogs in a near miracle comeback. The Lions looked defeated for majority of the game and struggled for answers for South Fremantle’s attack. The Lions kicked 7 unanswered goals in the last quarter but fell short to the reigning premiers.

Leading into the game, both teams were 6-5, only being separated by 3 percent. The Lions looked to extend their two game winning streak, as South Fremantle were hoping to bounce back off their recent loss against Perth. Subiaco started the game red hot, with Jack Petruccelle kicking the first goal off a set shot less than two minutes into the game. Subiaco carried this momentum and piled on another three goals, with two of them coming off the boot of in-form Richard Bartlett. South Fremantle then responded with authority and went into the opening break with a two-point deficit.

As the second quarter began, issues for the Lions had started, seeming as if everything favoured South Fremantle as they kicked 3 goals of their own while keeping the Lions goalless.

Subiaco were in desperate need of a response in the second half and could not let this game start to slip away. The Lions were unsuccessful and once again went goalless for the third quarter. The Lions were stunned and trailed by 41 points heading into the final quarter.

Subiaco started the fourth dominantly, controlling possession, with the ball living in their attacking half, putting South Fremantle’s defence under immense pressure. An opportunity arose for Jack Petruccelle, who was able to go back and kick a set shot from 45 out, kicking his second for the game, and the Lions’ first goal since Murison’s in the first. Subiaco had all the momentum and looked to be coming home with the wet sail, kicking 6 goals in quick succession. The Lions trailed by 7 as the ball went inside 50 in the dying minutes, Subiaco needed something special. Which was answered by a huge contested mark from Charlie Burke as well as a 50-metre penalty taking him to the goal line. Burke kicked the goal, but it was too late. The siren sounded and Subiaco’s miracle comeback falls short by a point.

Jaxon McGowan was inspiring for Subiaco all day, racking up an impressive 29 disposals and 5 tackles, leading the Lions right to the final siren. Marlin Corbett was dominant as well out of the mid-field, his tackling pressure was present throughout the duration of the game, and finished with 21 disposals and 8 tackles.

Subiaco:  4.1     4.3     4.5     11.6 (72)

South Fremantle:  3.5     6.7    10.10   10.13 (73)

Best Players

Subiaco: J McGowan, M Corbett, T Schofield, G Savigni

South Freo: E Hughes, K Russell, R Colborne, J Jones, J Whan

Goal Kickers

Subiaco: 3 – R Bartlett 2 – J Petruccelle 1 – T Schofield, J Mayo, J Robbins, R Murison, S Miller, C Burke

South Fremantle: 3 – K Russell 2 – R O’Hehir 1 – J Jones, I Winder, G Byron, A Drage, M Parker

Attendance: 1,199 at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.