Round 18 Recap v Swan Districts

LEAGUE

After a nine-day break since Subiaco’s round 17 clash against Perth, Subiaco played Swan Districts on a fine Saturday afternoon at Leederville Oval.

The clash with Swan Districts ended in a 62-point win to Subiaco, continuing the Lions winning streak coming into the final’s series. The win securing the Lions the Minor Premiership for the 2019 Optus WAFL Premiership Season.

The Lions dominated from start to finish with 31 scoring shots and 65 inside 50s, as they ran out with a 15.16 (106) to 7.2 (44) victory. 

23-year-old Subi forward Ben Sokol backed up his seven-goal-haul against Perth with another six majors and 22 disposals (17 kicks, 5 handballs) and 12 marks. Since the round 15 bye, Ben has kicked 17 goals, and currently 3 goals behind South Fremantle’s Mason Shaw as the league’s leading goal-scorer. 

Subi captain Leigh Kitchin topped Subi’s disposal count with 33 touches (9 kicks, 14 handballs), and recorded ten inside 50s, four tackles and five marks, while Kyal Horsley and Lachlan Delahunty finished with 32 and 30 disposals respectively.

Although accurate (77.785%) the Swans could only manage seven goals throughout the match from nine scoring shots, with six goals coming in the second half. The Swans also recorded 22 inside 50s.  

Subiaco had seven goal kickers in the game, with multiple to Waters, Borchet, and Vermeersch, with singles to Harrison Marsh, Max Walters and Bailey Matera.

With the win, Subiaco continues to sit top of the WAFL League ladder – four wins ahead of South Fremantle. Subiaco will now host the second semi-final at Leederville Oval after securing the minor Premiership.

NEXT UP

Subiaco plays West Perth at Leederville Oval on Saturday 107August at 2:15pm in Subiaco’s last home game of the 2019 Optus WAFL Premiership Season.  West Perth Swans play West Coast tomorrow at Steele Blue Oval and will be looking for a win.

SUBIACO                               3.6      10.1012.1315.16.106     

SWAN DISTRICTS              1.1      1.1      4.2      7.2.44            

SUBIACO BEST: Sokol, Horsley, Waters, Kitchin, Clark, Marsh

SUBIACO GOALS: Sokol 6, Waters 2, Borchet 2, Vermeersch 2, Marsh, Walters, Matera

INJURIES: Hoskins (quad)

RESERVES

The Subiaco Reserves elevated themselves to outright 2^nd on the WAFL Reserves ladder with an exciting 12 point win over rivals Swan Districts at Leederville Oval on Saturday. The developing Lion’s needed to win to keep their top three chances alive and remain ahead of the pack.

Subiaco started the contest well having the better of their opposition around the ground doubling the Swans inside 50 count and scoring shots. Unfortunately, inaccuracy cost the home side kicking 2.4 and carrying an 8 point lead into the first change. Nathan French was everywhere collecting eight possessions and a goal while Rowen Powell’s groin injury did not his ability to accumulate 9 possessions.

The 2^ndquarter was all Swan Districts as they booted four goals to two and turn into the main change with a four-point lead. Daniel Leach did his best work in and around the stoppages collecting 11 touches, eight of those contested in an attempt to get the game back on Subi’s terms.

The last half was almost a tale of the 1^sthalf with Subiaco kicking 4 goals to 0 in the 3^rdterm as they dominated not only inside 50 but controlled the match on the outside. Braden Fimmano, coming back from a long term shoulder injury showed no signs of the long layoff with 12 3^rdquarter possessions in a promising comeback. The Lion’s would take a 22 point lead into the final change.

It would then be the Swans in the last, with their season on the line, taking the most of their limited opportunities kicking three goals to one with only five inside 50’s for the quarter. Fortunately for the Lion’s they would on 12 point winners and move into outright 2^ndwith 2 games to play including a mouth-watering 2^nd vs 3^rdmatch up next week against West Perth at Leederville at 11:30am Saturday.

Subiaco 9.12.66 defeated Swan Districts 8.6.54

Goal Scorers: French 3, Martin 2, Nelson 2, Breman 1, Mu 1

Best Players: French, Hobley, Koby Fullgrabe, Max Dennis

COLTS

Subiaco travelled to Kalgoorlie and played Swan Districts at Sir Richard Moore Oval on Saturday night in front of a strong local crowd coming away with a 24 point victory.

Black armbands were worn to pay respects to long time Subiaco club stalwart Ron Chic Jackman and Don Colgan Club legend at Railways football club in Kalgoorlie who both tragically passed away recently.

Subiaco had 5 debutants in Ethan Brunelli, Josh Fowler, Jake Turner, Jacob Billing and Tarj Kelman who were all local products and got the opportunity to test themselves in a WAFL colts fixture on home soil and all contributed to the stirring win.

The first quarter saw Subiaco come out of the blocks hard and seemed the more physical team at the contest from the opening bounce. Coach Creedy explained the importance of playing in the region and putting on a good show which obviously sunk in and at the first change Subiaco led by four points.

The second quarter was much the same as the first with both teams putting on some fantastic passages of play without always converting on the scoreboard. The crowd erupted with local prospect Tarj Kelman taking a big clunk and converting truly. Ben Golding was winning the ball consistently out of the middle and Sandon Page benefited from his dominance by hitting the scoreboard on a few occasions.

After half time the message was simple “don’t let all the hard work you’ve done to this point slip, there is 50 minutes of work left to finish the job”. The players responded and threatened to break the game open but to the Swans credit, they turned the tide and continued to challenge for the majority of the quarter without capitalising where it counted.

The last term the game turned into a more free-flowing affair with both teams finally finishing off their good work and getting on the scoreboard. Pat Mullane was a strong target forward and his desperation to hit the contest made the difference in the last quarter. Ethan Brunelli and Jake turner where also both valuable contributors across the match.

GAME CHANGERS

Levi Duykers   It was Levi’s best game for the season playing in the ruck. His physical presence set the tone all day and continually gave his mids first use and provided a great mobile targe

Sandon Page   The top goal scorer on the ground Sandon played an outstanding game up forward for Subiaco and has been a model of consistency over the past few months

Ben Golding.    Arguably the best player on the ground. His work rate and strength around the contest is elite and he is a great user of the football

Subiaco 12.8.80 def Swans 8.8.56

Goals:   4 S. Page, 2 A. Clinch, 2 P. Mullane, 1 J. Kemp, T. Kelman, J. Borchet, T. Kennedy

Best:       B. Golding, L. Duykers, S. Page, P. Mullane, J. Turner