Subiaco Set for Finals Build starting with Claremont

Subiaco returns to action after their final bye of the 2018 season, looking to continue winning ways as they build towards the 2018 WAFL finals.

Subiaco travel to Claremont Oval to battle Claremont on Saturday, facing one of their sternest tests of the year against an in form Tigers side.  

While Subiaco remain unbeaten at the top of the table, Claremont has also put together some impressive form over the past month having won three of their past four matches.

Subiaco will make at least two changes with Nick Menegola and Rhys Waters to miss the match.

They are replaced by Jack Beverley, Travis Cleggett, Daniel Leach, Ben Newton and Brad Stevenson in an extended 25 man squad.

For Beverley, Cleggett and Leach all three are in line for league debuts after continued impressive form at Reserves level, while Stevenson and Newton are each set to return after injury layoffs.

League action commences at 2.15pm, with digital coverage available through KIX and broadcast available through HeritageFM.

GAME CHANGERS

FOREIGN FIELD

It will be an unusual feeling for most of the Subiaco league team, with over half set to play their first ever game at Claremont Oval. Due to renovation works and a fixture quirk last year, Subiaco has not played at Claremont Oval since June of 2013. Only two players from that last game will likely play this Saturday with Chris Phelan and Brad Stevenson part of a Subiaco side that produced a stunning 10 point upset last time at Claremont Oval.

ONE MORE WIN FOR THE MINOR PREMIERSHIP

While it would take an unlikely change of fortune to see Subiaco miss out on the 2018 Minor Premiership, Subiaco can officially claim that title with a win in Saturday’s action. This will be a significant achievement for Subiaco, giving it four straight minor premierships after three previous wins in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

CAVALRY RETURNS

A number of injured Subiaco players had been targeting this match as the point to start the build to a finals campaign, with Ben Newton and Brad Stevenson the first in a line of key players set to have an impact in the lead up to finals. Both Newton and Stevenson were in scintillating form earlier in the year and will add additional depth to the Subiaco forward line that has dropped attacking pace in the past month of football.

DEFENCE TARGETING 50

While the attack has dropped slightly in the past month, the Subiaco defence has been outstanding. After conceding just 45 points in the past two matches, the Subiaco defence is conceding under 51 points per game. Another strong defensive performance on Saturday and Subiaco’s against average could drop below 50 points per game.  

TACKLE BATTLE

Expect all eyes to be on the contested ball and where the pressure is coming from in Saturday’s game. Interestingly Subiaco are one of the lowest tackling teams in 2018, while Claremont are one of the heaviest tackling teams in the WAFL. How Subiaco approach a heavy tackling Claremont will be a key plotline of the Round 17 battle.

PREVIOUS ENCOUNTERS

Subiaco and Claremont have met just once so far in 2018, a Thursday Night blockbuster underlights at Leederville Oval. Though Subiaco won that match by 86 points, Claremont presented a tough challenge throughout the first half. It was a big second half where Subiaco kicked 11.12 to Claremont’s 3.0 that was the catalyst of the resounding victory. Expect it to be much closer on Saturday at Claremont.

ANOTHER TOP OF TABLE BATTLE

For the third week in a row, a Subiaco side will be facing a top of the table battle. Two games ago the Subiaco colts prevailed in a top of the table battle with Peel, while last time out the league side got the job done over South Fremantle in a top of the table match. Now it is the Subiaco Reserves turn to test themselves against their greatest competition, with the first place Claremont reserves representing an enormous challenge for a red hot Subiaco reserves side.