Memory Lane - State Game Memories

In a new weekly feature for 2018, Subiaco will be taking a look back down memory lane with some of the great memories from each round of the WAFL season from years gone by.

With just one sleep until West Australia battles South Australia, take a look back at some of the great Subiaco memories in some of the best State Game matches that have taken place.

2017

WA 20.14.134 d VIC 10.11.71

It was a historic day last year, as West Australia for the first time beat Victoria on Victorian soil. This history making event was over a century in the making, as WA led from start to finish with a dominant victory over the Vics. Subiaco skipper Kyal Horsley captained the side and was strong presence throughout finishing with 23 possessions and five tackles. Leigh Kitchin was physical inside with 20 possessions and 10 tackles while Corey Adamson debuted for WA finishing with 18 possessions on the day. Clancy Wheeler kicked two goals from 15 possessions while Lachlan Delahunty was pivotal in the ruck with a team leading 22 hitout along with 10 possessions. Meanwhile a stellar WA defensive effort was spearheaded by Subiaco defender Jordan Lockyer who was outstanding in defence. This was among one of the most memorable victories ever for WA and reinforced the strength of the WAFL competition as the number one state league competition.  

2013

WA 17.16.118 d VIC 15.11.101

WA engineered a miraculous second half comeback to upset Victoria in the state game of 2013. Played in regional WA, a parochial home crowd was quiet early as Victoria raced out to a 25 point half time lead. WA slowly clawed back into the game in the second half as an improved defensive effort was the catalyst. WA reduced the margin to 14 points at the last change, then held Victoria goalless in the last quarter pulling away to a stunning 17 point win. Jarrod Kayler-Thomson in his first season with the Lions represented Subiaco with distinction having 19 possessions, while Clancy Wheeler made his state debut having 14 possessions and kicking a crucial goal. A soon to be Lion, Wayde Twomey won the Simpson medal kicking five goals to spearhead the comeback win.

1986

WA 21.11.137 d VIC 20.14.134

Arguably the greatest ever state contest and amongst the greatest games of Australian Rules football. WA and Victoria did battle on a Tuesday night with the result set to crown the winner of Australian Football Championship in 1986. After an even start WA pulled away across the middle two quarters leading by 18 points at three quarter time. However Victoria came back, as the last quarter saw 14 goals kicked, seven lead changes and was only won after a great Wayne Blackwell smother in the dying seconds. Subiaco was well represented with Gary Buckenara kicking five goals including the game winner while Andrew MacNish kicked three goals and took a memorable State of Origin screamer. Warren Dean, Dwayne Lamb, Neil Taylor and Greg Wilkinson were other popular Subiaco names to represent WA in the 1986 carnival, that to this day still remains a favourite when talking about all time great games.  

1984

WA 14.14.98 d SA 14.13.97

In one of the most climatic endings to a state game fixture, WA defeated SA with a point kicked as the final sounded in an absorbing contest in Adelaide. On a blustery afternoon in Adelaide, SA kicked with the advantage of the wind in the first quarter building a 14 point quarter time lead only to see WA kick seven goals in the second quarter and steal a three point half time advantage. SA again took control in the third and turned for home 16 points in front. In an absorbing last quarter, SA missed chances to seal the game before a snap on the siren with scores tied gave WA a memorable win. Laurie Keene kicked two goals in the win with the other state representative from Subiaco in 1984 being Greg Wilkinson.

Check out the Subiaco website each week as we continue the trips down memory lane.