Deja Vu For Subiaco Reserves as they Battle Claremont for final Grand Final Spot
For the second consecutive season, the Subiaco Reserves face a Preliminary Final battle with Claremont, for the chance to play for premiership glory.
Some 12 months after they outlasted Claremont in a memorable Preliminary Final win, Subiaco will be hoping the omen of beating Claremont holds, following up by beating a second semi final foe in the Grand Final.
Subiaco are forced to go through the Preliminary Final after giving up a stunning eight goal lead in last weekend’s Second Semi Final.
The Subiaco squad includes some returning faces with Rhys Waters and Daniel Perkins named in an extended squad after overcoming injuries.
Fans are encouraged to get down to Fremantle Oval on Sunday, with Subiaco set to take the field at 11.50am.
If you cannot make it to Fremantle, keep an eye on the Subiaco social media accounts or tune in to FootyRadio for game coverage.
GAME CHANGERS
CHANGES EXPECTED
After conceding a near 50 point lead, the expectation was that changes would be made, and the extended 27 man squad suggests that Subiaco and coach Matt Cavedon have reacted to a disappointing final three quarters last week. Expect a different Subiaco with a different attitude to be out on Sunday.
PLAYING FOR A LEAGUE SPOT
While assisting the club ensure all three grades have teams on Grand Final day is the number one goal, the reality is, that some players are playing for a spot in next weekend’s league Grand Final side. Rhys Waters returns from injury through Reserves football while Adam Cockie, Ryan Borchet, Brad Stevenson and Tom Edwards-Baldwin have all played back half league footy this year who will be looking for a standout performance to lock up a league Grand Final appearance.
DÉJÀ VU
Subiaco and Claremont played out a memorable Preliminary Final last year, which Subiaco won by 21 points, holding off a Claremont final half fightback. Subiaco jumped out of the blocks in that game with four goals to nil and were able to hold their lead throughout a low scoring game. That battle has set in motion a series of tight low scoring contests between the sides in the past 12 months.
PREVIOUS BATTLES
The head to head battles for this year sit at 1-1 with both teams winning their home games against one another. In a low scoring Friday night game, held on Life Members Night, Subiaco defeated Claremont by 30 points, while later in the year Claremont won a controversial top of the table clash by four points. Given the history of these two sides, expect a tough, tight, physical Preliminary Final contest.