Subiaco Makes Winning Start in 2018 Pre-Season

Subiaco made a winning start to their 2018 Pre-Season, recording a hard fought 10 point win over West Perth at Leederville Oval.

 

While failing to hit their best brand of football, Subiaco did enough to build a handy lead in the first half and then maintained the advantage in the second half despite a gallant West Perth fightback.

 

Significantly for Subiaco, despite key defensive personnel missing from the side, the defence restricted West Perth to just seven goals for the game, highlighting that Subiaco will again have a reliable defensive group to call on in 2018.

 

Earlier in the match, Subiaco made the better of the start, but inaccurate shooting on goal meant the damage was limited to a 10 point quarter time lead.

 

Subiaco further extended the advantage in the second quarter kicking three goals to one and doubling the lead to 20 points at the main break.

 

While West Perth would outscore Subiaco five goals to three in the second half, the lead was never really threatened as Subiaco did enough to maintain the lead and record a hard fought pre-season win.

 

GAME CHANGERS

 

RUCK IMPACT

One area that Subiaco addressed across the off-season, was in the ruck where they added a number of players including Zac Clarke and Jack Fletcher who will add quality and depth to the ruck group. Saturday’s game was the first chance the Subiaco midfield had to work alongside the highly touted Clarke and as the game progressed there were promising signs as Subiaco used the clearances to get on top.

 

FORMER COLOURS

Subiaco recruit Drew Rohde did not have to wait long to face off with his former WAFL club, with Rohde lined up against the Falcons in Saturday’s pre-season match. Rohde showed promise in his Subiaco debut and looks ready made to be able to add extra versatility to the Subiaco side in 2018.

 

FORWARD TRANSITION

After the loss of Liam Ryan and Liam Baker to AFL ranks, one area that Subiaco will be working to establish early in 2018 is goalkickers inside fifty. A returning Rhys Waters kicked two goals and Kyle Halligan looks set to have a strong impact on 2018 after he kicked two also. With Clancy Wheeler and Ben Sokol also hitting the scoreboard, for the first game at least, it was Subiaco winning with an even contribution from their forwards.

 

VETERAN PRESENCE

While a host of experience players did not play on Saturday, the presence of two was notable. Kyal Horsley led the midfield with a typically strong hard working midfield performance. Horsley's ability both around the contest and working both ways in transition was important in Subiaco's midfield holding sway across the day. Meanwhile down back Aaron Heal showed great early season form, both reading the game to intercept and rebounding and turning defence into attack for Subiaco. 

 

NEWTON IMPRESSES NEW CLUB

Arguably one of Subiaco's best players on the day was recruit Ben Newton who showed a strong presence around the contest and appears set to add a different presence to the Subiaco midfied in 2018. Newton was a strong tackler across the day and his ability to find the ball and make strong decisions was also significant across the contest.

 

SUBIACO         2.4       5.6       7.9       8.13 (61)

WEST PERTH   1.0       2.4       4.6       7.9 (51)

 

SUBIACO BEST: Kitchin, Newton, Waters, Horsley, Heal.

SUBIACO GOALS: Halligan, Perkins, Waters 2; Sokol, Wheeler 1.

 

 

RESERVES RECAP

 

Earlier in the morning, Subiaco Reserves made a winning start to the day and their season, as they comfortably accounted for West Perth by 42 points.

 

Despite the early 8.30am start, Subiaco’s Reserves jumped from the blocks as they kicked six goals to one in the first quarter, building what would be a match winning 27 point lead at quarter time.

 

West Perth proved stiffer resistance in the second quarter matching Subiaco two goals apiece as the lead went out to 31 points at half time.

 

The second half, much like the second quarter saw the two teams trade goals and maintain an even balanced contest, with Subiaco outscoring West Perth six goals to five, finishing up with an even seven goal victory margin.

 

GAME CHANGERS

 

COLTS STEP-UP

First year members to the senior squad, Max Dennis, Mitch Hughes, Thomas Edwards-Baldwin, Koby Fullgrabe and Christian Martin all had their first taste of senior footy in the Reserves win. All five graduated from last year’s colts side and on Saturday all five showed promising signs. Hughes and Dennis impressed with their defensive work, Edwards-Baldwin was good around the contest, Fullgrabe gave some dash and Martin finished with three goals. These five represent the work that the club has invested into its development, and first signs for this group were positive.

 

WORKING UNDERWOOD

Josh Underwood was one of a handful of consistent reserves players last year who missed the Reserves premiership win in 2017. Underwood’s first up performance in 2018 showed plenty of promise with his workrate as a half forward well noted. Underwood’s performance would suggest there is a group of more experienced players that are set to have a greater impact as the Lions look to defend their Reserves crown.

 

RECRUIT SHOWS PROMISE

A host of new faces played well for Subiaco on Saturday, but possibly the best of the bunch was Collie recruit Travis Cleggett who showed promise in the midfield and worked himself into the game. Cleggett was one of a group of players that improved as the game went on and helped the side grab the ascendancy.

 

INJURY FREE BEV

Jack Beverley has always been highly regarded within the Subiaco system, however his 2016 and 2017 seasons were ruined by injury. Beverley gave another reminder of his promise when injury free by kicking two goals and having an impact around the midfield. After playing eight reserves games late in 2017, Beverley appears poised to play a bigger role in 2018.

 

SUBIACO         6.0       8.4       10.7     14.11 (95)

WEST PERTH   1.3       3.3       5.4       8.5 (53)

 

SUBIACO BEST: Martin, Beverley, Cleggett, Dennis, Fullgrabe.

SUBIACO GOALS: Martin 3; Beverley, Nelson 2; Breman, Clegget, Daniels, Edwards-Baldwin, Lawrence, Turner, Underwood 1.