Subiaco Make it Four Straight to Start Season

Subiaco made it four straight wins to start 2018, as they overcame a physical first half before powering to an 86 point win over Claremont on Thursday Night Football.

For the fourth straight game, it was a strong second half that was the cornerstone of the Subiaco victory as they outscored Claremont 11 goals to three after the main break.

In an impressive final quarter Subiaco had 16 consecutive scoring shots, before Claremont kicked the final goal of the game after the full time siren.

Veterans Chris Phelan and Kyal Horsley led the way for Subiaco combining for 66 possessions and each kicking a goal.

Up forward Rhys Waters equalled a career high with five goals and Brad Stevenson continued his impressive start to 2018 with four goals.

Aaron Heal and Jacob Miller gave excellent rebound for the Lions with Miller posting a career high 20 possessions and Aaron Heal having 19.

After a tight and low scoring start, Subiaco made their first significant burst in time on of the first quarter as Ben Newton, Zac Clarke and than on the stroke of quarter time Stevenson kicking goals.

In an arm wrestle in the second quarter, Subiaco were able to make the most of their chances as they kicked 4.2 while Claremont had more scoring shots, but finished with a wasteful 2.5.

After half-time, as they have done to their previous opponents, Subiaco’s ruthless attack on the ball was too much as Claremont could not maintain the pressure and Subiaco dominated both around the contest and going inside 50.

Subiaco following the Thursday night game have two weekends off, before their next match takes place in 16 days on Saturday May 5^th against rivals West Perth.

GAME CHANGERS

THE CYAN GOOD LUCK ON QBE DAY

For the fourth straight game and fourth straight year, the Cyan jumpers of Subiaco and QBE’s joint partnership was a good one for the Lions as they recorded another win. The limited selection of Cyan jumpers meant a host of regular players such as Max Walters, Chris Phelan, Brad Stevenson, Jacob Miller and Nick Menegola were in new numbers, but the results were the same as Subiaco recorded an impressive win.

FAST FINISHING PHELAN

Chris Phelan had a big final quarter as he racked up 11 possessions and was one of the key midfielders as Subiaco dominated around the clearances. Phelan has improved each week after a limited pre-season with Thursday night’s game being Phelan’s best game of the year.

STEVO THE STRAIGHT

Brad Stevenson kicked four goals without a miss on Thursday night, continuing an impressive streak to start the season. Across the year Stevenson has kicked 17.2 showing a real ability to convert set shots. The highlight of the night for Stevenson was a nice long range effort from outside 50 on the quarter time siren.

WATERS RUNNING

Another impressive inclusion for Subiaco in 2018 has been the return of Rhys Waters. Waters kicked his second bag of five goals with Waters finishing the game strongly with three goals in the last quarter. Along with the goal kicking though, it is Waters pressure around the ball that is making a difference this year.

NEARING THE 60 AGAIN

Though it feel short of the lofty standards early in the year, Subiaco’s conversion and accuracy again approached 60% as the Lions converted their 59 inside 50’s with 35 scores at an accuracy of 57%. The big game came on the back of the last quarter where Subiaco had 16 scoring shots from 20 inside 50 entries.

SUBIACO         5.1       9.3       13.6     20.15.135

CLAREMONT   2.2       4.7        6.7          7.7.49

BEST: Phelan, Horsley, Waters, Heal, Litherland.

GOALS: Waters 5; Stevenson 4; Clarke, Halligan 2; Delahunty, Horsley, Kitchin, Newton, Phelan, Powell, Rohde 1.