Round 3, 2018 Match Preview V Swans

Subiaco face another challenge in Round Three of the 2018 WAFL Season as the last other remaining unbeaten side, Swan Districts travel to Leederville to take on Subiaco.

After two strong opening performances to start the season Subiaco face another stiff battle against a Swan Districts side full of confidence having surprised many with their opening two performances under new coach Adam Pickering.

For Subiaco, the midfield will again look to give ascendancy in Saturday’s game with Josh Deluca coming off a career high in possessions and Kyal Horsley having started another season in strong form.

After injury plagued pre-seasons Chris Phelan and Jordan Lockyer returned in round two and each got better as the match went on and would be expected to be better again in round three.

Up forward Subiaco has the three leading goalkickers in the competition with Brad Stevenson having kicked nine goals, Ben Sokol eight goals and Rhys Waters seven goals.

Meanwhile in defence Subiaco has conceded the least points per game through two weeks with new members joining a settled nucleus to not miss a beat in the first two weeks of the season.

Subiaco is hopeful of drawing a big crowd of both Subiaco and Swans fans for what promises to be a great day of WAFL action live from Leederville with the league game to bounce at 2.15pm.

GAME CHANGERS

INJURY STRIKES YOUNG DUO

Ryan Borchet and Ethan Burnett have shown promising moments in their debut matches for Subiaco. Unfortunately both have succumb to injury leading up to this weekend’s game meaning that Subiaco will make at least two changes to the side that won convincingly over South Fremantle.

TOP TWO, TOP TWO DEFENCES

While it is only two games into the season, Subiaco and Swans have the two best defences by points against per game in the opening two weeks. Subiaco continue to be well led by a core of Angus Litherland, Jordan Lockyer and Aaron Heal with new players Drew Rohde and Jaocb Miller working seamlessly into the unit.

STRONG FINISHERS

Another common link between Saturday’s opponents heading into round three, is that each have shown strong second half and last quarter performances. Last week Subiaco outscored South Fremantle seven goals to three while Swans outscored Peel six goals to three in the last quarter.  

RECENT FORM AGAINST SWANS

Subiaco has won its last five games against Swans, having not dropped a game to Swans since 2015. In those recent five games Subiaco has had an average winning margin of just under 50 points having held Swans to under 80 points in that winning streak.

THE EARLIER TOP BATTLE

It promises to be a big day for Subiaco, as to commence Saturday’s action the colts of Subiaco and Swans will battle in another top of the table clash with both colts teams also undefeated. For Subiaco this continues an impressive turnaround over the past two seasons which has seen the side rally from consecutive wooden spoons to now be at the top of the ladder, albeit after just round two.