Minor Grade Wrap - Round 8, 2018

It was mixed results in the minor grades for Subiaco in Round Eight of the 2018 WAFL season with the Reserves having a solid win and the Colts suffering a second consecutive heartbreaking loss.

 

In the Reserves after a tight match in wet conditions, Subiaco finally broke the game late, recording a 33 point win, while in a low scoring Colts match, the young Lions suffered a six point loss.

 

RESERVES RECAP

The Subiaco Reserves rose to fourth on the ladder winning their second straight clash, with a hard fought win over Perth.

 

Played in wet conditions, an inaccurate Subiaco allowed Perth to remain in the contest, before taking command in the final quarter pulling away to a five goal win.

 

Subiaco kicked eight goals to four after the main break including four goals to one in the last quarter, with Ryan Borchet and Daniel Perkins among the key second half contributers.

 

Each Borchet and Perkins kicked two second half goals, while Aaron Breman was the leading goal kicker on the day for the Lions with three.

 

The midfield of Subiaco was well led by Craig Hoskins who was outstanding with 27 possessions, while Daniel Leach had 18 possessions and laid 12 tackles to be another of the best.

 

 

GAME CHANGERS

 

INJURY RETURNERS HAVE AN IMPACT
Subiaco had a number of players return in Saturday’s game from injury with a couple having a significant impact. Craig Hoskins after missing a week with injury, was outstanding leading from the front to have 27 possessions including having a big impact around the contest. Ryan Borchet was a strong presence up forward kicking two goals from 18 possessions, also driving the ball inside 50 on seven occasions. Ryan Mu was also lively up forward kicking a goal in his return to action.

 

TACKLE PRESSURE KEY

Perth had made the early running in the game based on some good intent around the contest both at the ball and the ball carrier. After quarter time Subiaco improved in this area and that was notable in the increase in tackle count. Subiaco ended up winning the tackles 74 to 67 with a couple of midfielders having big days in this area. Daniel Leach led the game with 12 tackles while Jack Beverley with nine tackles was also strong throughout.

 

LEADING HOSKINS

Craig Hoskins has had a difficult 2018, with both his pre-season and first half of the year interrupted by injury. However Hoskins showed what makes him such a strong contributor to the Subiaco team in the Reserves win. In a young team, Hoskins relished the opportunity to lead his young teammates, with an outstanding lead by example approach. Expect Hoskins to be back in the league mix when Subiaco return after the bye based off another strong performance.

 

FINAL

SUBIACO         1.4       3.8       7.15     11.18.84

PERTH             2.3       3.4       6.8       7.9.51

 

BEST: Hoskins, Borchet, Leach, Perkins, Beverley

GOALS: Breman 3; Borchet, Perkins 2; Breeze, Edwards-Baldwin, Mu, Underwood 1.

 

COLTS RECAP

The Subiaco Colts suffered a second straight heartbreaking loss as the young Lions were overrun late by Perth in a narrow six point loss.

 

In wet and windy conditions, Subiaco controlled the ball and game for much of the day, but were unable to execute late, as Perth kicked the final three goals of the game to pinch a late win.

 

Subiaco were well served up forward early on by Abraham Clinch who kicked two early goals and was a lively presence.

 

In the midfield Liam Hickmott was outstanding with 38 possessions while Tristan Hobley had 28 touches and Zane Shellabear-Healy 24.

 

For the second week in a row though, Subiaco could only rue what might have been having had enough of the ball and enough forward entries to win the game.

 

 

GAME CHANGERS

 

CAREER DAY FOR HICKMOTT

The reigning Taylor Medal winner could be set to repeat his feat of 2017, with a standout game of 2018 in Saturday’s loss. Hickmott had a career high 38 possessions, consistently proving to be a threat around the contest and showing excellent workrate all match long. With his State 18’s teammates missing, Hickmott has picked up the load in the past two games for the Lions.

 

ONE MAN RUCK SHOW

Along with Hickmott, Mach Deng has been a standout in the past two weeks having to shoulder the load of the ruck with Xavier Peacock on State 18 duty. For the second straight week Deng had a career high in hitouts, finishing with 45 against Perth. Deng continues to grow and evolve in the ruck with his improvement a positive sign for the rest of 2018 and beyond.

 

GOOD FINISHERS EXCEPT WHEN IT COUNTED

In both the second and third quarter Subiaco made two crucial breaks in the final minutes of quarters. Clinch and Jack Mayo kicked two goals just prior to halftime and Noah Ash kicked one nearing on three quarter time to give Subiaco key breaks. However in the last quarter when they needed just one more late goal, it was not be.

 

NUMBERS SOMETIMES LIE

Looking purely at the numbers, one has to wonder how Subiaco fell in this game. The young Lions had more kicks, handballs, disposals, marks, hitouts, forward entries and clearances; yet did not win the stat that matters most, the scoreboard.

 

 

FINAL

SUBIACO         2.5       4.7       5.9       5.9.39

PERTH             0.2       2.4       3.5       6.9.45

 

BEST: Hickmott, Deng, Golding, McKinnon, Clinch

GOALS: Clinch 2; Ash, Mayo, West 1.