Wheelchair Team vs West Coast Eagles

After a couple of weeks break we are into the pointy end of the wheelchair AFL season with Sunday being the last round before next weekend’s finals.

All year West Coast Eagles have been the team to beat. An undefeated run of game after game it was looking like they would have the perfect season. However along comes your own mighty Subiaco Lions in a David vs Goliath match for the ages. Starting relatively slow on scoring the first quarter consisted of more behinds than goals for both teams. As expected West Coast warmed up and dominated Q2 to be leading at the half time break WCE 31 to Subiaco 22.

Normally this is where most weeks the Eagles streak away for a convincing win. What came next showed just how much Subiaco has been improving with outstanding communication on field and superb set plays. With a fire in their bellies they kept West Coast entirely scoreless during the third and racked up a total of five goals and two behinds from Shane Bell and Wayne Arnott. By now the spectator size was growing and the crowd was sensing an upset from the number one team on the ladder was possible. WCE 31 to Subiaco 54!

West Coast came out determined in the final quarter and threw everything they had at the match. Wayne scored what seemed an impossible goal from the pocket and with the Eagles defense on overdrive kept the rest of Subiaco’s scoring to behinds. The excitement of the match was palpable and everyone was keeping one eye on the Eagles rising score and one eye on the clock. The last three minutes was on a knife’s edge as the Eagles Ben Green threw down three goals in a row but ultimately time ran out and Subiaco scored a well earned victory by a mere two points! Subiaco Lions 65, West Coast Eagles 63.

The second match of the day was against Swan Districts. Subiaco was still on a high from the previous win so carried the energy across to this game with six goals and six behinds courtesy of Wayne Arnott and Shaun Buckingham, all in the first half leading by 22 points at the break.

Heading into the third quarter Shaun dominated with three goals in a row. Swans played a strong game with some new players on their side but closing goals by Lions Mark Adams and Oliver Williams sealed the victory. Swan Districts 36 to Subiaco Lions 76.

The entire team played as a well oiled machine, from the backs to forwards and all players got good field time to show anything is possible in this amazing sport.

Next Sunday 30th November is the big one with all semi and grand finals being played on the one day. Subiaco has risen from bottom of the ladder to now sit 5th so if you want to come and see a version of AFL that takes extra skill and courage come down to Cockburn ARC at noon.