Inspired Final Quarter Keeps Subiaco Unbeaten

Subiaco were forced to endure some anxious moments, but did enough to keep their unbeaten start to 2019 intact with a hard fought 18 point win over a plucky Swans at Bassendean Oval on Saturday.

 

Subiaco’s lengthy winning streak appeared in some jeopardy at the 30 minute mark of the third quarter as the Lions had fallen 22 points behind.

 

A late Rowen Powell goal in the third quarter gave Subiaco some momentum heading into the last, and Subiaco returned to their ruthless best kicking 5.6 to 0.2 in the last quarter for a memorable win.

 

Josh Deluca was the most damaging player on the ground, finishing with 32 disposals and six tackles while Lachlan Delahunty was the most damaging tall on the ground having 26 disposals and 17 hit-outs.

 

Hayden Kennedy continued his strong 2019 season with 26 disposals while veterans Kyal Horsley and Leigh Kitchin had 25 and 22 disposals respectively, with both playing pivotal roles in the last quarter fightback.

 

Up forward Ben Sokol kicked three goals, while the hard working Simon Moore also added three goals.

 

The majority of Subiaco’s league side will break for the state game bye this week, with all bar the nine members of the state squad set to enjoy a well-timed break before a crucial month of fixtures against current top five sides in South Fremantle, Claremont, Peel and Perth.

 

 

GAME CHANGERS

 

THAT COMEBACK

While on the surface Subiaco has enjoyed it all their own way on an unprecedented winning streak over the past two years, looking deeper, every time Subiaco has been challenged in they have found a way to keep their streak intact. Last year they were forced to a memorable comeback win over Claremont and Saturday’s win over Swans was one of the most memorable wins of the past two seasons. Down by 22 points on the edge of three quarter time having kicked just five goals, Subiaco kicked the final six goals of the game engineering a 40 point turnaround in just 30 minutes of football.

 

ENGINEERING THE COMEBACK

At three quarter time prime Subiaco midfielders Leigh Kitchin had just 10 disposals and Kyal Horsley 13 disposals, failing to have their usual impact on the contest. Both were simply outstanding in the last, willing their side to victory. Each had 12 disposals and two clearances while Horsley also added a goal as the duo produced their best football when it mattered most.

 

DEBUT WIN TO REMEMBER

Young local product Jack Mayo had a memorable first up win in his debut match. Mayo had a pleasing first game performance finishing with 10 disposals, four marks and a goal. It was that goal that was the memorable moment of the game though, as Mayo coolly kicked the goal that gave Subiaco the lead early in the last quarter, being mobbed by teammates as Subiaco would never trail from there.

 

FORWARD HALF PRESSURE

While Swans found a way to limit Subiaco’s influence in the air inside 50 during Saturday’s win, it was the typical Subiaco forward pressure that came through when it mattered most. Though having his first goalless game of the year, Rhys Waters was one of Subiaco’s best laying a team high eight tackles. Fellow small forward McKenzie Lawrence also had four tackles as the Subiaco forward pressure helped wear down the Swans defence.

 

STATE REPS SHINE

After having nine players named to the WA State side for next week’s game with SA, Subiaco’s best six players were all members of the state squad. Potential state debutants Josh Deluca, Hayden Kennedy and Ben Sokol all confirmed their standing as dominant figures within Subiaco’s success, with typically outstanding games on Saturday.

 

FINAL

SWAN DISTRICTS       1.3       4.4       9.5       9.7.61

SUBIACO                     2.4       4.5       6.7       11.13.79

 

SUBIACO BEST: Deluca, Delahunty, Sokol, Horsley, Kitchin, Kennedy.

SUBIACO GOALS: Moore, Sokol 3; Deluca, Horsley, Lawrence, Mayo, Powell 1.

 

 

RESERVES RECAP

 

The Subiaco Reserves suffered their first loss of the 2019 season, outplayed by Swan Districts and eventually being defeated by

 

Subiaco made a bright start kicking the first two goals of the game in the opening two minutes of the match and held an 18 point quarter time lead, holding Swans to a solitary behind in the opening 28 minutes.

 

However the match turned from there, as Swans piled on six unanswered goals in the second quarter and ended up kicking 14 goals to five after the quarter time break.

 

Subiaco made a brief run in the third quarter with another three unanswered goals, but were unable to match what was a more desperate Swans side.

 

After a week’s break next week, Subiaco return to host South Fremantle, looking to rebound back to the winner’s list.

 

 

GAME CHANGERS

 

CAREER DAY FOR ECCLES

James Eccles produced a second straight strong performance in the loss, eventually finishing his day with a career high 30 disposals. Eccles was one of few four quarter performers for the Lions over the course of the afternoon and continues to show his development as a senior footballer.

 

SECOND QUARTER WOES

After looking the better side for the first quarter both offensively and defensively, the match turned significantly in the second term as Swans started to dominate both facets of the game. Subiaco was unable to go forward with any potency and Swans conversely made the most of their attacking opportunities.

 

OUT-HUSTLED

For a team that prides itself on winning the contested ball and putting pressure on the ball carrier, Subiaco were outworked in this area in Saturday’s game. Swans continually won the hard ball and despite winning by seven goals, were still plus 20 in the tackle count.

 

FINAL

SWAN DISTRICTS        0.1       6.6       9.9       14.14.98

SUBIACO                     3.1       3.1       6.5       8.8.56

 

SUBIACO BEST: Eccles, L. Hickmott, Stainsby, Breman, Beverley.

SUBIACO GOALS: Mu, Nelson 2; Breman, Cleggett, Doyle, Underwood 1.

 

 

COLTS RECAP

 

Subiaco’s Colts slumped to their fourth straight loss to start 2019, unable to make the most of a strong start in a 43 point loss to Swans at Bassendean Oval.

 

Subiaco made all the running in the first half, building a 22 point half time lead on the back of outstanding halves by Nick Martin and Tristan Hobley.

 

However the match turned after the long break with Swans kicking the first seven goals of the second half and kicking 13 goals to three, producing a 65 point turnaround.

 

Alongside Martin and Hobley, Subiaco’s Colts were well supported by Ben Golding, captain Jacob Peletier and Noah Ash.

 

Following the state bye next weekend, Subiaco has a chance to open their win account for 2019 when they take on South Fremantle at Leederville Oval on May 18.

 

 

GAME CHANGERS

 

POSITIVE SIGNS AGAIN

For the third straight game, Subiaco’s Colts proved that their best football is capable of matching any other team in the competition. Against the competition leading Swans, the young Lions were outstanding all over the field in the first half, holding their highly fancied opponents to just one goal, while building a strong first half lead. Whilst the second half was a disappointing way to end, the signs continue to be there for Subiaco’s Colts.

 

STATE DUO STAND UP

State representative duo Nick Martin and Tristan Hobley were outstanding in the first half helping Subiaco build that first half lead. Martin kicked three goals and had 19 disposals to dominate forward of centre, while Hobley collected over 20 first half disposals to be the standard setter in the middle. Though both faded with extra attention after half time, Hobley still collected a career high 39 disposals, while Martin finished with 24 disposals, nine marks and three goals.

 

GOLD GOLDING

After missing out on a state berth, Ben Golding let his footy do the talking on Saturday, finishing behind only Hobley for disposals. Golding was one of the Lions to give his all throughout a disappointing second half, going on to collect 31 disposals and laying six tackles.

 

FINAL

SWAN DISTRICTS        0.3       1.4       7.6       14.10.94

SUBIACO                     1.4       4.8       4.8       7.9.51

 

SUBIACO BEST: Hobley, Martin, Golding, Peletier, Ash

SUBIACO GOALS: Martin 3; Corbett, Duyckers, Foley, Johnson 1.

 

 

WAFLW RECAP

The Subiaco Women experienced a historic day at Bassendean on Sunday, winning all three games against Swans, including a 29 point win by the Subiaco WAFLW side.

 

A dominant first half was the backbone of the Subiaco victory as the women kicked six goals to one, going to the main break with a 32 point lead.

 

While the second half turned into an arm-wrestle with both sides only able to add one goal each, that earlier fast start was enough for Subiaco to coast to a 29 point win.

 

Tarnee Tester was a livewire for Subiaco up forward with three goals while Beatrice Devlyn added two.

 

Devlyn was one of Subiaco’s best on the day with Ellie Blackmore, Lindal Rohde and Claire Ortlepp also in the best.

 

The Subiaco Women will host a full day of action this coming Sunday, with the Rogers Cup and Reserves teams to play against East Perth, while Subiaco’s first home WAFLW clash will be a grand final rematch against East Fremantle.

 

All Subiaco fans are encouraged to be at Leederville Oval from 10.30am on Sunday to show their support for the women’s sides.

 

FINAL

SWAN DISTRICTS        1.1       1.2       1.2       2.6.18

SUBIACO                     3.1       6.4       7.4       7.5.47

 

SUBIACO BEST: Devlyn, Blackmore, Rohde, Ortlepp, Tester

SUBIACO GOALS: Tester 3; Devlyn 2; Lewis, Stammers 1.