Subiaco Fall in Final Grand Final at Subiaco Oval
Tuesday, September 26, 2017 - 6:35 PM
Subiaco fell to a crushing 16 point loss in the 2017 WAFL Grand Final on Sunday in the farewell to Subiaco Oval.
Subiaco was left to rue inaccurate goal kicking and a lack of efficiency when entering their forward half, as they led the majority of statistical categories, but this forward conversion was the one thing missing from a gallant performance.
After conceding the first two goals of the game, Subiaco showed typical fight and spirit as they came back hard at their opponents reducing the margin to three points at quarter time. A good second quarter from the Lions was not converted on the scoreboard as they just could not get that pivotal goal to give them the half time lead.
The third quarter would be the decisive one for Subiaco as they dominated the run of play yet were unable to apply scoreboard pressure they were after. Some wasteful chances meant that despite having more scoring shots, they could not establish a match winning lead.
During the last quarter Subiaco were gallant and showed the heart and desire that fans have long came to expect from this team and squad; however a couple of bad breaks went against Subiaco and they were unable to overcome the last quarter deficit despite fighting all the way to the end of the match.
Inspirational leaders Kyal Horsley and Chris Phelan led the way for Subiaco finishing with a combined 62 possessions. Up forward Ben Sokol was outstanding with four goals, while in defence Aaron Heal and Jordan Lockyer were towers of strength. Clancy Wheeler chipped in with two goals while Leigh Kitchin was workmanlike all game long.
GAME CHANGERS
INACCURACY
Subiaco will forever rue their goal kicking on 2017 Grand Final Day, as 7.14, a conversion percentage of just 33% was the difference in the game. Subiaco had four more scoring shots and 21 more inside 50s but it was that lack of conversion in front of goals that was the difference maker in this Grand Final.
Subiaco will forever rue their goal kicking on 2017 Grand Final Day, as 7.14, a conversion percentage of just 33% was the difference in the game. Subiaco had four more scoring shots and 21 more inside 50s but it was that lack of conversion in front of goals that was the difference maker in this Grand Final.
COMEBACKS OF DETERMINATION
Veteran Chris Phelan and small defender Hayden Kennedy were given little chance of playing on Grand Final day after suffering injury setbacks late in the year. Not only did both Phelan and Kennedy play, they were key contributors towards what was nearly an upset win. When Phelan kicked a goal halfway through the third, you felt that it might be Subiaco’s day, however it just was not meant to be. Full credit must go to Phelan and Kennedy for such gutsy performances on the grandest stage.
CENTURY OF TACKLES
On a wet, windy day, Subiaco’s pressure and tackling intensity was first class. The Lions recorded 100 tackles on the day as testament to how much effort they put into the defensive side of the game. Justin Joyce, Leigh Kitchin and Adam Cockie all laid eight tackles and every single Subiaco player laid a tackle in the game. This was an incredible team performance of a team committed to doing whatever they could to win the game.
GOALS: Ben Sokol 4, Clancy Wheeler 2, Chris Phelan 1.
BEST: Kyal Horsley, Ben Sokol, Chris Phelan, Jordan Lockyer, Aaron Heal, Leigh Kitchin
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