WAFL Review: RD15 vs West Perth

Subiaco defeated West Perth in an even and competitive contest, with teams going goal for goal right to the final siren. The victory also marked a special milestone, with Wil Hickmott celebrating his 100th game for the Lions.

West Perth came into the game sitting bottom of the ladder with one win, looking to cause an upset, which saw them start the game firing and look to be the dominant team; however, inefficiency proved to be their biggest weakness, kicking two goals to five behinds. Subiaco made West Perth pay by kicking two goals in quick succession just before the quarter-time siren off the boots of Giro and Borchet, to take the lead heading into the opening break. Subiaco were a man down for the rest of the game after Josh Robbins was ruled out with a fractured wrist.

The momentum of the game swung all over the shop, but it felt as though the Falcons still had the upper hand, kicking the first two goals of the quarter to lead by 14 points. Subiaco once again responded in a matter of moments with Jack Mayo kicking two of his own and Steven Miller, the recruit, adding one of his own. As the game hung in the balance, both teams ended the quarter kicking five goals apiece, which saw the Lions enter the half-time break leading by 4 points.

The high-scoring theme of the first half carried into the second half and saw both teams have open, free-flowing passages and capitalise on the scoreboard. West Perth set the tone for the second half, kicking a goal just 24 seconds into the quarter, before Subiaco responded with two of their own, with Jack Mayo kicking his fourth of the game and Siano kicking his first. Once again momentum shifted and saw the Falcons take the lead again, with it being the 11th lead change of the game. A high ball came into the Lions’ forward 50, where a pack of players all flew for it, leaving Subiaco’s Judd Kelman unattended, leading to an absolute screamer from the pocket, certainly a contender for goal of the year. The same narrative continued for the duration of the quarter with Subiaco finishing the quarter as 7-point leaders after a mammoth six-goal quarter to West Perth’s five.

Underdogs West Perth once again caught the Lions napping at the start of the quarter, grabbing the early jump on them and putting themselves in the box seat to run away with the victory. The Falcons led by 7 points around halfway through the quarter until ex-Eagle Jack Petruccelle cut the margin back to 1 point after kicking his second goal of the day. The game was still well and truly in the mix, with both teams needing individuals to stand up, resulting in Borchet clutching up by kicking back-to-back goals to give the Lions a crucial 10-point lead. The Falcons had another late surge to try to steal it off the Lions and were unfortunate not to get there, seeing the Lions walk away 8-point victors in an entertaining battle, holding their spot in the top 5.

Wil Hickmott did not let the milestone occasion get to him as he finished the game with an impressive 27 disposals and 8 marks. The Subiaco three-headed monster in the forward line — Mayo, Borchet and Miller — dominated all day and combined for 11 goals, with Mayo and Borchet booting four apiece and Miller adding three. Captain Greg Clark stepped up in an all-important contest with an impressive 28 disposals and 9 tackles, inspiring teammates around him and helping his team get across the line in a narrow victory.

Subiaco:       3.3 (21)       8.5 (53)       14.6 (90)       18.6 (114)

West Perth: 2.5 (17)       7.7 (49)     12.11 (83)      15.16 (106)

Best Players

Subiaco: J Mayo, S Miller, R Borchet, G Clark

West Perth: J Hinder, C Lynch, T Keitel, C West, C Rundle

Goal Kickers

Subiaco: 4 – J Mayo, R Borchet; 3 – S Miller; 2 – J Petruccelle; 1 – S Giro, R Murison, J Kelman, N Hibbins-Hargreaves, S Siano.

West Perth: 4 – T Keitel; 3 – Z Sprigg; 2 – K Knott, R Gallen; 1 – K Bevan, C Livingstone, J Rigoll, C Rundle.

Attendance: 944 at Sullivan Logistics Stadium.