Subiaco Claim Minor Premiership with 3 Point Win over Claremont

Subiaco has claimed the 2018 WAFL Minor Premiership, after a narrow three point win over Claremont on Saturday, ensured that they cannot be caught at the top of the WAFL ladder.

 

In their toughest match of the season so far, Claremont led Subiaco for large portions of the match, with the Lions forced to come from 19 points down in the third quarter to record a gutsy win.

 

Subiaco has now won its first 14 games of the 2018 season and sits four wins ahead of West Perth in second and five wins ahead of South Fremantle in third.

 

It has come easier in previous games, but this was arguably as strong a win as Subiaco has had this year, for the simple reason of having to win a game in which they were not in a position of strength.

 

Subiaco led at quarter time, however Claremont kicked four goals to one in the second, as the Lions trailed by 17 points at the long break.

 

A strong comeback commenced in the third quarter, but despite the strong fightback, Subiaco could not nudge in front through the third and the early part of the last.

 

It would end up being Zac Clarke that finally gave Subiaco the lead as the Lions kicked four goals in eight minutes midway through the last to turn the game.

 

Claremont twice got back within three points but a steadier by young forward Tom Edwards-Baldwin ensured Subiaco would win for the 14^th time in 2018.

 

Chris Phelan and Leigh Kitchin were outstanding throughout, with both proving to give vital contributions in the first half to keep the Lions in touch.

 

Each finished with 31 possessions for the game, with Kitchin also adding a team lifting goal.

 

On a day where the goals were shared it was youngster Edwards-Baldwin that kicked three to lead the Lions.

 

Subiaco are at home next week, with a match against Swan Districts as the Lions celebrate Premiership Reunion Day with all fans encouraged to get along and rub shoulders with past greats while also watching the current crop of players do their work.

 

 

GAME CHANGERS

 

ACCURACY WINS GAMES

Goal kicking often wins football games, and that was the case again at Claremont on Saturday with Subiaco having seven less scoring shots and going inside 50 on 13 less occasions, but winning because of excellent conversion in front of goal. Subiaco converted their 19 chances at 84% and that was the one difference in an otherwise tight match.

 

TEAM DEFENCE CRACKS

The 96 points that Claremont scored was clearly the highest score conceded by the Lion defence to far in 2018. The issues Saturday were two pronged, with the defence slightly shaded, while the midfield unable to prevent supply. For the first time this year Subiaco lost the inside 50 count, as Claremont made a concerted effort around winning the contested ball.

 

ON THEIR TERMS

Some of it was likely down to the condition of Claremont Oval, however Claremont were able to get the game on their terms indicated by the high tackle count. Claremont finished with 81 tackles, three up on their yearly average of 78. However Subiaco laid 78 tackles, up 15 on their average going into the game. Subiaco did what they needed to with Josh Deluca laying eight tackles and Greg Clark laying seven.

 

A TOUGH MARK

The other statistical standout was Subiaco’s low mark figure. The Lions took just 54 marks for the day, their clear lowest total in a game so far in 2018. Captain Kyal Horsley in fact led the Lions with seven marks on the day.

 

CLARKE AGAIN PROVES VITAL

Though Zac Clarke picked up massive hit-out numbers, finishing with 53, his hits to advantage weren’t as strong as recent performances. Still Clarke had a vital contribution not just in the ruck but up forward with two goals, including the crucial one that gave Subiaco the lead.  

 

FIRST YEAR PLAYERS STAND UP AGAIN

In his debut match, Daniel Leach was serviceable collecting 15 possessions and laying four tackles to give an indication that he can handle the intensity of league football. It was another first year player though, Tom Edwards-Baldwin who again proved a crucial contributor. Despite only having four kicks, Edwards-Baldwin kicked three goals.

 

 

FOUR GAMES TO SET UP A SECOND SEMI

With Subiaco claiming the minor premiership, they will now host the second semi final. Look for the next four weeks to be all about setting the team up to be ready for that challenge. There are a host of good players still fighting for a league spot, while opportunities will still likely present as Subiaco ensure all players are fresh for that second semi.

 

 

FINAL

SUBIACO                     4.1       5.1       11.2     16.3.99

CLAREMONT               3.1       7.6       10.10   14.12.96

 

BEST: Phelan, Kitchin, Clarke, Edwards-Baldwin, Deluca

GOALS: Edwards-Baldwin 3; Clarke, Powell, Sokol 2; Borchet, Delahunty, Horsley, Kitchin, Litherland, Stevenson, Walters 1.