Subiaco Defeat Perth by 40 Points in Wet Round Eight Battle

After a sloppy first three quarters, Subiaco finally found the offensive rhythm that has defined their 2018 season so far, winning a tough battle with Perth by 40 points in wet conditions at Lathlain on Saturday.

After struggling for momentum for most of the Round Eight clash with Perth, Subiaco found an extra gear when it mattered most in the last quarter kicking seven goals to two running away to their seventh straight win to start 2018.

It took a goal from inspirational captain Kyal Horsley to spur Subiaco in the last, with four goals in ten minutes, two each to Clancy Wheeler and Ben Sokol proving pivotal in the final outcome.

Earlier in the day, Chris Phelan had set the tone for Subiaco, going on to finish a productive day with 31 possessions and two goals, trailing only captain Horsley who once again topped Subiaco for possessions, this time with 33.

Big man Lachlan Delahunty was also outstanding in the contest finishing another good all round game with 27 possessions and 24 hitouts to be the best big on the ground.

Leading forward duo Brad Stevenson and Rhys Waters each kicked two goals, continuing their impressive starts to 2018.

In defence Aaron Heal led the way with 16 possessions and seven marks, while Drew Rohde also had an important contribution to the win.

Despite not playing their best football, Subiaco maintained their hot start to the season, with a seventh win from seven games, with six of the seven wins now coming from more than 39 points.

Subiaco face another bye this week, before taking on East Fremantle in Member Appreciation and Family Fun Day on Saturday June 9^th.

GAME CHANGERS

HOT STARTING PHEZ

Chris Phelan produced one of the best individual quarters of WAFL football so far this season, inspiring Subiaco in the first quarter of the match. Phelan finished a dominant first quarter with 15 possessions and two goals, each of the two goals vintage Phelan with classy shots from in congestion, the second one of the goals of the season so far.

THREE QUARTER TIME SPRAY

After failing to find momentum through the first three quarters, few were surprised to see a fired up Jarrad Schofield confront his Subiaco charges at three quarter time. The message from Schofield was sharp and directly to the point, proving to be the right tonic to his charges as the Lions kicked seven goals in the last and played with the right level of urgency to get the victory.

FIRST KICK THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN

Debutant McKenzie Lawrence had his moments in a solid debut WAFL league match. However Lawrence missed a golden chance to join a select group of players with a goal from their first league kick. A fluffed chance and snap in the goal square meant Lawrence’s first kick was left as a point. In the end Lawrence showed the typical toughness in side with nine possessions and a near team high six tackles.

BIG MAN DOMINATION

Statistically the biggest difference in the game came in the ruck where Subiaco’s twin tour duo of Zac Clarke and Lachlan Delahunty nearly tripled the tally of their Perth opponents. Subiaco ended up winning the hitout count 72 to 26 and while the influence was negated early, Clarke and Delahunty were another two to have a key impact in the last quarter.

INJURIES STRIKE

A couple of Subiaco players will enjoy the bye more than others, with young defender Michael Braut and tough midfielder Greg Clark both failing to finish the match. Braut went down with a knee injury in the third quarter, while Clark was knocked out in the games late stages. These two along with injured duo Kyle Halligan and Ben Newton will likely enjoy the week off before hopefully returning to confront East Fremantle in a fortnight’s time.

FINAL

SUBIACO         4.2       6.4       8.8       15.12.102

PERTH             1.2       5.3       7.6       9.8.62

BEST: Phelan, Heal, Horsley, Delahunty, Lockyer.

GOALS: Phelan, Sokol, Stevenson, Waters, Wheeler 2; Clarke, Fimmano, Horsley, Rohde, Walters 1.