Subiaco Record 58 Point Win Over South Fremantle to Remain Unbeaten

Subiaco continued it’s winning start to 2018 with a strong second half setting up a comprehensive 58 point win over South Fremantle

Only five points separated the teams eight minutes into the third quarter, however from that point on, it was all Subiaco as they kicked 11 of the last 14 goals of the game, romping to their biggest win against South Fremantle since 2015.

The win was set-up courtesy of dominant midfield displays from Josh Deluca and Kyal Horsely who combined for 64 possessions, with Horsley in particular having a great third quarter to lead his side at the pivotal point of the game.

Ben Newton was another to step up and have a big third quarter when the game was on the line.

After going goalless in the first half, Ben Sokol was the chief second half destroyer in front of the goals with five second half goals, including four in the last quarter as the Lions stamped their authority on the match.

Defensively Subiaco had a typically strong performance with Aaron Heal and a returning Jordan Lockyer leading a strong unit that also got good performances from Hayden Kennedy and Angus Litherland.

Zac Clarke continued to show promising signs in the ruck as he combined with Lachlan Delahunty for 50 hit-outs, 37 possessions and two goals with early signs that Subiaco’s new ruck duo can be a dominant force in the WAFL competition.

In one of the only negative spots of the game, first game player Ethan Burnett suffered a leg injury in the third quarter and failed to finish the game.

However, Burnett’s Lion teammates ensured his first game would still be a memorable one, as they powered to a commanding win and ensuring that Burnett was still able to sing the song at the end of his first match.

GAME CHANGERS

SOKOL’S BIG SECOND HALF

Since crossing to Subiaco from South Fremantle in 2016, Ben Sokol has still shown a liking to his former home at Fremantle Oval averaging six goals a game. In just his second game playing at Fremantle Oval for Subiaco, Sokol kicked five goals following up a seven goal haul when he played at Fremantle Oval back in 2016.

DELUCA’S BIG EVENING

Josh Deluca’s recruitment as a prime inside midfielder is paying early dividends for club and player, as Deluca accumulated his first 30 possession WAFL game on Saturday evening. Deluca finished with 33 possessions, eclipsing his previous best of 28 when playing for Peel back in 2016. Deluca’s first two weeks have shown an important ability to link play heading inside fifty.

VETERANS RETURN

After interrupted pre-seasons, leadership group members Jordan Lockyer and Chris Phelan both returned to play important roles in the Round Two win. Lockyer was dominant early outpointing different South Fremantle forwards while Phelan worked himself into the game finishing with 21 possessions and having a big impact in the last quarter dominance of Subiaco.

ABOUT THE EFFICIENCY

The story of the game to an extent was about how each team converted their forward opportunities. Despite winning by 58 points, Subiaco actually had less Inside 50 entries, with South Fremantle winning that count 47 to 46. However the telling difference was Subiaco converting at 65% forward efficiency compared to South Fremantle’s 36%.

FIRST GOALS

Debutant Ethan Burnett started the run of first Subiaco goal kickers as Burnett’s second kick at WAFL league level was a miraculous checkside goal. Later in the evening Zac Clarke and Nick Menegola also kicked their first goals for Subiaco as the Lions again shared the forward load with 10 individual goalkickers.

SUBIACO                                4.2      7.5      11.7    18.12.120

SOUTH FREMANTLE              2.2      5.5      6.7      9.8.62

GOALS: Sokol 5; Clarke, Halligan, Stevenson, Waters 2; Burnett, Deluca, Horsley, Menegola, Powell 1.

BEST: Deluca, Horsley, Heal, Sokol, Newton.