Subiaco Return to Best with 82 Point Win over Swans

Subiaco put together their best performance in over a month, powering to an 82 point win over Swan Districts at Bassendean Oval on Saturday.  

 

Subiaco kicked the first nine goals unanswered to begin the game, extending their lead at every change proving too strong at the contest and in space for fourth placed Swan Districts.

 

The dominance around the contest and the forward efficiency of the Lions was a throwback to the early part of the season.

 

After absorbing some intense Swan Districts forward pressure in the game’s opening minutes, Rhys Waters kicked the first goal of the game, with this opening goal the catalyst as Subiaco kicked six goals to nil in the first quarter building a 36 point lead at the first break.

 

Waters finished the first with two goals while Hayden Kennedy had 10 first quarter possessions, though sadly would not add to this tally after going down with injury.

 

The second quarter saw late inclusion, and debutant Tom Edwards-Baldwin kick his first goal to jubilant scenes, following up with a second later in the quarter, as Subiaco powered to a 63 point half time advantage.

 

While Swans put up more fight in the second half, a big final half from Leigh Kitchin assisted in the ruck by Zac Clarke, meant Subiaco outscored Swans seven goals to four.

 

Another outstanding Subiaco defensive effort was spearheaded by Aaron Heal and Jordan Lockyer who combined for 52 possessions and 19 marks to control the air inside Swans forward 50.

 

In the midfield, Clarke continued to impress finishing with 24 possessions and 33 hitouts, with Leigh Kitchin and Kyal Horsley tying for a game high 37 possessions feeding off Clarke’s dominant ruck work.

 

Youngsters McKenzie Lawrence and debutant Edwards-Baldwin were another two to that performed admirably in the big win.

 

The only dampener on the day was in the injury room, with Brad Stevenson a late withdrawal and Rhys Waters, Hayden Kennedy and Max Walters all failing to finish the match.

 

Subiaco will face their third straight away fixture next weekend as they take on West Perth up at Joondalup in what promises to be an absorbing battle between first and third.

 

 

GAME CHANGERS

 

DEBUT TO REMEMBER

Tom Edwards-Baldwin had a debut to remember. After coming into the side as a late inclusion for Brad Stevenson, the 19 year old Kingsley product kicked a goal with one of his first league kicks and followed up with a second before half time. Edwards-Baldwin slotted seamlessly to senior football finishing with 13 possessions, two goals, three tackles and wide praise from the Subiaco faithful.

 

STATISTICAL DOMIANCE OVER SWANS AGAIN

Subiaco and Swans play very different styles and in the first two Subiaco-Swans battles this year, the game has favoured Subiaco’s strength of ball possession. Subiaco had 136 more possessions than Swans and 39 more marks, resulting in Subiaco having an additional 20 inside 50 entries and 17 scoring shots. Subiaco’s ability to spread the load was evident with 12 players having over 20 possessions on the day.

 

FORWARD CONVERSION RETURNS

After a couple of uncharacteristically sloppy weeks forward of centre, Subiaco returned to their efficient best against Swans. The Lions converted their forward fifty entries at over 60% and had a goal kicking accuracy of over 55% with their clinical forward execution a key reason behind the bounce back to form.

 

BIG FINISHING KITCH

Leigh Kitchin had a strong finish to the game, collecting 14 final quarter possessions and tying captain Kyal Horsley for the game high. It was a career high for Kitchin, topping his previous best of 35 in the second semi final of 2016.

 

CAREER DAY GALORE

Along with Kitchin, a number of other Lions had career days. Aaron Heal topped his best ever possession count with 28, Braden Fimmano had a career high 26 possessions, Ben Sokol and Jordan Lockyer had career high mark games with 14 and 11 respectively. Not to be outdone, Greg Clark tied a career high with 24 possessions and McKenzie Lawrence tied a career high six tackles.

 

INJURY LIST GROWS

Subiaco have shown great depth throughout the year in covering a series of injuries to key play makers and role players. This depth is again set to be tested after Brad Stevenson was a late withdrawal and Rhys Waters, Max Walters and Hayden Kennedy failed to finish. These four will all be assessed during the week before potentially taking on West Perth next Saturday in another crucial battle towards Subiaco’s minor premiership credentials.

 

FINAL

SUBIACO         6.3       12.7     17.9     19.15.129

SWANS           0.3       2.4       5.6       6.11.47

 

BEST: Heal, Lockyer, Horsley, Kitchin, Sokol.

GOALS: Sokol 3; Clarke, Edwards-Baldwin, Horsley, Phelan, Waters 2; Delahunty, Deluca, Kitchin, Lawrence, Litherland, Walters 1.