Subiaco and South Fremantle to Contest another Second Semi Final

Subiaco will be aiming to make a fifth straight Grand Final when they face South Fremantle in Sunday’s 2018 WAFL Second Semi Final.

After a week off in the first week of the WAFL finals, Subiaco face a red hot South Fremantle who had a big win in last weekend’s Qualifying Final.

An extended 26 man squad has been named with four key players being added to the mix to take on South Fremantle.

Ryan Borchet, Greg Clark, Adam Cockie and Ben Newton are all in line to return for Subiaco’s Second Semi Final contest on Sunday.

It is a big Second Semi Final day for Subiaco with the league, reserves and colts all with the opportunity to progress to their respective 2018 WAFL Grand Final.

League game commences at 3.10pm, reserves at 12.20pm and colts at 9.45am.

The game will be broadcast on Channel 7 with live and exclusive coverage from 3pm while ABC and KIX Digital will have the game call on radio.

All Subiaco fans are encouraged to get along to Leederville Oval on Sunday and help paint Leederville in maroon and gold.

GAME CHANGERS

MAKING 26 INTO 22

It will be a difficult final match committee meeting for Subiaco’s coaches. Trying to fit a close to full complement of players into 22 to take the field in the Second Semi Final will take some doing. All four of the possible inclusions add important pieces to the Subiaco line-up. Ryan Borchet would add depth to the Subiaco forward line, Greg Clark would add versatility at all ends of the ground, Adam Cockie would add presence in the midfield and Ben Newton would add class on the outside. It will likely be one of Subiaco’s best teams of the season that takes battle on Sunday.

HISTORIC DEFENCES

Subiaco’s defence has produced the best WAFL season in over 70 years, with a defensive average against of just 51 points per game. However South Fremantle has put together a great defensive season as well, conceding just 68 points per game. Taking out the two games against Subiaco, South Fremantle have had a defensive average of 58 points per game. This is two great defences going head to head on Sunday.

FINDING THE GOALS
Subiaco has been well led by Ben Sokol in two games against South Fremantle kicking seven goals in those battles this year. Lachlan Delahunty, Brad Stevenson, Zac Clarke, Clancy Wheeler and Ryan Borchet mean that Subiaco has an attacking group that can stretch any team’s tall defence.

RUCK BATTLE LOOMS

The two best ruckman of the WAFL competition will lock horns in what looms as one of the pivotal battles of the game. Zac Clarke has grown over the year and has been instrumental setting up Subiaco’s midfield group. His ability to quell the impact of South Fremantle’s Brock Higgins will potentially have a big impact on the match.

PREVIOUS ENCOUNTERS

Subiaco has beaten South Fremantle comfortably in the two battles during the home and away season. In Round Two, Subiaco won down in Fremantle by 58 points while in Round 15 at home Subiaco had a 60 point win. In those two encounters Josh Deluca has been outstanding, Ben Sokol has been prominent up forward and big man Lachlan Delahunty has had a valuable contribution.

EARLY GAMES

Subiaco’s day commences early, with the Colts Second Semi Final commencing at 9.45am. The Subiaco colts will take on Swan Districts in what is likely to be an intense final to start the day. The Subiaco reserves will than take on East Perth in a highly anticipated reserves clash between the two form teams of that competition.

SAME MOTIVATION

Subiaco and South Fremantle have been the sides that have been impacted the most by the Peel and Fremantle Dockers allignment in finals the past two years. While much has been made of Subiaco's two Grand Final losses, South Fremantle have suffered similar disappointment, by missing the Grand Final all together despite finishing top two the last two years. This is two teams that are desperate to make amends for the way their 2016 and 2017 seasons ended.