Subiaco Powers to 52 Point Win at Waterlogged Leederville

Subiaco produced another outstanding defensive effort in the wet, holding Swans to just four goals recording a 52 point win in the process.

For the third time in four games, Subiaco conceded less that 30 points, with Swans resigned to their lowest ever score against Subiaco.

Subiaco made the better of the start taking a 17 point lead to quarter time after holding Swans to just one scoring shot, a single goal.

Swans did hit back in the second however, holding the Lions goalless as Subiaco lost some of their forward structure and pressure.

After some minor half time adjustments, it was one way traffic in the second half as Subiaco outscored Swans eight goals to one, taking the game away in the third quarter when they held Swans scoreless while adding 5.5 of their own.

The win was spearheaded again by the Lions dual ruck tandem of Lachlan Delahunty and Zac Clarke who combined for 72 hit-outs and 43 possessions.

Feeding off the good work in the ruck, Leigh Kitchin had 26 possessions while Chris Phelan and Josh Deluca each recorded 24.

Kitchin and Delahunty were the chief goal scorers on a wet and muddy Leederville Oval, each kicking two goals among nine individual goal kickers.

Subiaco’s winning start to 2018 has now hit 15, though they face another stern test next Saturday with an away match in Joondalup against second placed West Perth.

GAME CHANGERS

DELA THE DOMINANT

Lachlan Delahunty relished the wet conditions with the Subiaco big man showing off all of his agility and skill on slippery Leederville Oval. Delahunty had a complete performance, finishing with a team high 27 possessions, 15 hit-outs, seven marks, six tackles, six inside 50 entries and two goals. Once again Delahunty’s ability to provide valuable support in the ruck while also having an impact forward of centre has been a key to Subiaco’s strong performances in 2018.

WET WEATHER SPECIALISTS

Not to be outdone by Delahunty, midfielders Leigh Kitchin and Chris Phelan were both named in Subiaco’s best after typically strong performances around the contest. The duo were equally important heading forward, combining for 11 forward entries to go with 50 combined possessions and 11 combined tackles.

ROOM TO IMPROVE

While pleased to record another convincing victory in difficult conditions, Subiaco still have areas to work on, with their second quarter battles going forward showing more can be done with forward efficiency. Subiaco converted at 44% and had a goal accuracy of 42%. These two numbers have been down in recent weeks. Subiaco had one of its longest goal droughts from recent seasons after they went over 40 minutes of game time goalless.

SUCCESSFUL RETURNS

Justin Joyce played his first league game since the 2017 Grand Final and had an important impact for the Lions. Joyce’s third quarter goal was the catalyst as the Lions banged on three goals in five minutes to break open the match. Joyce finished with 14 possessions. Meanwhile Kyle Halligan played his first game since May and got through unscathed, finishing with nine possessions and showing some trademark flair going forward. Expect both to continue to have a strong impact heading towards finals.

NEWTON GETS TOUGH

On a day made for the physical stuff, Ben Newton led the way for Subiaco with both a team high and a career high 10 tackles. Newton has proven to do a bit of everything for Subiaco so far in 2018, showing some outstanding skill and kicking some important goals, while also getting tough to be one of Subiaco’s best tacklers, averaging over four tackles a game.

HISTORY MAKING D

Subiaco’s defence continues to perform in the wet. After holding to Peel to 2.5 and South Fremantle to 3.10 last month, Subiaco again held an opponent to under 30 points. Swans finished with their lowest ever score against Subiaco, pipping the 29 points scored back at Subiaco Oval in 2002. After a slight hiccup last week, Subiaco’s defence is conceding just 52.2 points per game in 2018.

FINAL

SUBIACO         3.5       3.7       8.12     11.14.80

SWANS           1.0       3.2       3.2       4.4.28

BEST: Delahunty, Kitchin, Phelan, Litherland, Rohde.

GOALS: Delahunty, Kitchin 2; Clarke, Edwards-Baldwin, Halligan, Horsley, Joyce, Netwon, Sokol 1.