Subiaco Prepare for Final Away Game at East Fremantle

Subiaco faces its final away game of the 2018 WAFL season this coming Saturday, as they venture to East Fremantle Oval for a Round 20 match with East Fremantle.

With just two games remaining until the 2018 WAFL Finals, this represents one of only two remaining chances for members of the Subiaco squad to put their hand up for a second semi final appearance with a strong performance.

Five players have been brought into the 25 man squad for Saturday’s clash with Michael Braut, McKenzie Lawrence, Jacob Miller, Brad Stevenson and Max Walters all in line for a recall for Round 20.

There are two confirmed outs with Braden Fimmano and Greg Clark out of the side that beat West Perth at Joondalup last week.

There will be no radio coverage of the game, however stay tuned to Subiaco’s Twitter page for live updates across the afternoon as Subiaco aim to keep their unbeaten run in 2018 in tact.

GAME CHANGERS

BEWARE OF THE UPSET

On paper a historically great top team against an underwhelming bottom team seems a relatively straight forward prospect for Subiaco. However the beauty of Aussie Rules is that any team can win on any given game day. Subiaco will be well aware that a desperate East Fremantle side present as great a threat to causing an upset as any other challenger so far this year.

HISTORY ON THE LINE ON ROAD

If Subiaco can avoid the upset they will create history on Saturday. Though they have gotten close to a perfect road season through both its recent and extended history, Subiaco has never won all their road games in a single home and away season. A win on Saturday will ensure that Subiaco has a perfect 9-0 record on the road in 2018, besting the 9-1 seasons of 2017, 2008, 2006 and the 7-1 season of 1912.

NAMES KEEP COMING BACK

The quest for finals spots continues to heat up in the Subiaco line-up, with key names Brad Stevenson and Max Walters receiving a recall to the squad for Saturday. Youngsters Michael Braut, Jacob Miller and McKenzie Lawrence continue to put the pressure on the remainder of the squad, with all three in the mix after solid form at Reserves level for the Lions.

WAITING FOR A CLOSE ONE

Subiaco and East Fremantle have been involved in some one sided contests in recent times. The past seven games have all been decided by more than 30 points, with an average margin difference of over 60 points in that span. Ironically the last close game between these two sides was the memorable 2014 Preliminary Final.

WEEK IN, WEEK OUT

Subiaco still has nine players in line to play every game in the 2018 season. Zac Clarke, Lachlan Delahunty, Aaron Heal, Kyal Horsley, Leigh Kitchin, Gus Litherland, Rowen Powell, Drew Rohde and Ben Sokol have all played 16 games so far this season. Chris Phelan and Hayden Kennedy have played 15 of a possible 16 in 2018 so far.

SO FAR THIS YEAR

Subiaco and East Fremantle has played just once so far in 2018, with the game resulting in a big win for the Lions. At Leederville Oval in Round 10, Subiaco had a strong first half and carried on to a 103 point victory.

EARLY GAMES

The pick of Saturday’s games at East Fremantle is in the early time slot, as the two form teams of the WAFL Colts competition are set to go head to head. Subiaco are riding a nine game win streak while East Fremantle have won five of their past six. Subiaco sit first while East Fremantle sit third and this promises to be a great colts clash early in the day as Subiaco look to hold first spot and East Fremantle fight for the double chance. Meanwhile in the Reserves, the Subiaco side can ill afford a slip up, with both East Perth and Claremont set to strike and claim top spot with any Subiaco loss.