Subiaco set for desperate Swans in Round 18

Subiaco’s 2018 WAFL Season continues at the weekend, with the Lions looking to maintain form as they get set to embark on another finals campaign next month.

Having wrapped up the minor premiership, top spot and a home second semi final last week, the preparation for that second semi final continues in earnest with all Subiaco players keen to ensure they will be part of that finals side.

It promises to be another tough battle on Saturday with the Lions set to take on a desperate Swan Districts side who sit just outside the top five on percentage and are well within range to make an attack on finals.

Subiaco will have at least one change and possibly up to four from the side that defeated Claremont last week, with four big names returning to the 25 man squad for this week.

Veterans Adam Cockie, Clancy Wheeler and Justin Joyce along with star forward Kyle Halligan are all in the squad for this week with the quartet returning over recent weeks from a series of injuries.

Cockie is yet to play league football in 2018, but has put now played seven Reserves games after an interrupted pre-season, with his 32 possession outing last week his best game of the year so far while Joyce has played the last two games in the reserves, having 31 possessions last week as well.

Wheeler and Halligan are straight back into the senior squad, with Wheeler last playing in Round 14 and Halligan last playing in Round Seven.

Brad Stevenson is the only confirmed out at this stage set to miss due to injury.

Saturday’s game will be broadcast online via FootyRadio and can also be heard through Noongar Radio.

GAME CHANGERS

REUNION DAY

While most of the 1988 and 2008 Subiaco Premiership players will be enjoying a special President’s Function lunch, a few will be in the middle of the action on Leederville Oval instead. Senior team members Kyal Horsley and Adam Cockie who were a part of the 2008 Premiership are still key members of the Subiaco side, while Jarrad Schofield and Rob Forrest remain involved in the coaching ranks. It promises to be a big day for Subiaco, with these four trying to ensure the celebration off-field is matched by another strong performance on-field.

10 YEARS AGO

The 2008 Subiaco Lions team was one win away from the perfect season, with that one loss of 2008 being a one point defeat against Swans. With those 2008 players looking on, expect this Subiaco side to be desperate to continue this year’s current quest of a perfect season alive.

WET WEATHER FORECAST

With Leederville Oval inundated with 50mm of rain this week so far, and another 20mm forecast prior to bounce of the league game on Saturday, the ground will more closely resemble nearby Lake Monger as opposed to pristine Leederville Oval. Subiaco produced an outstanding defensive effort in the wet against South Fremantle in their last home game and will be desperate to show this same defensive energy.

GOALS COME FROM EVERYWHERE

Subiaco has had a plethora of goal options in 2018 so far. Already nine players have kicked double digits in goals with Ben Sokol and Brad Stevenson at the top with 28 a piece. Young forward Tom Edwards-Baldwin with eight or Kyal Horsley and Ben Newton with nine goals, could become the tenth player to kick at least ten goals for the year so far.

KICKS & HANDBALLS

Swans have been the most kick happy team in the WAFL so far in 2018, with a 1.79 kick to handball ratio. Meanwhile Subiaco has been one of the most handball happy teams, with a 1.50 kick to handball ratio across the year so far. As with the two previous battles this year, expect a real mix of style between the two opponents.

PAST BATTLES

Subiaco has produced two of its strongest performances of the year in wins over Swans earlier in the year. Back in Round Three at Leederville Oval Subiaco recorded a 96 point win on the back of 18 goals to one after quarter time, while in Round 12 Subiaco recorded an 82 point away win at Bassendean Oval. Expect Saturday’s match to be a far tighter contest.

EARLIER BATTLES

The two earlier games have massive finals ramifications on the line. For the Subiaco Colts a win goes one step further towards a top two finish and a possible minor premiership. While a loss puts the side back to the chasing pack of Peel and Swans. Meanwhile for the Reserves, Subiaco need a bounceback win to both keep a target on top spot, while also staying ahead of a close chasing pack. Expect both of the earlier battles to be played at a near finals like intensity with so much at stake.