Round 7 Recap

LEAGUE
In a season-defining match for both clubs, Subiaco travelled away to take on the Perth Football Club at Mineral Resources Park. After an up and down season that has been marred by injury, the Lions only chance of keeping their season alive was a win against the fourth-placed Perth. Boosted by the return of star on-baller Kyal Horsley and athletic wingman Rowen Powell, the Lions were bullish on their chances as they started to get near a 
full-strength line up for the first time this season. 

The Lions burst out of the blocks early; kicking eight majors in the first half, opening up a five-goal buffer at the major break, with their constant pressure around the contest and repeat inside-50 entries proving an advantage. It was the Lions of old once again with plenty of Premiership stars leading the way. Kyal Horsley barely missed a beat after returning from injury, to amass 23 disposals, four marks and four tackles to go with four inside 50 entries off his own boot. Leigh Kitchin once again got plenty of the ball, gathering 20 disposals to go with seven tackles; making it four straight games of 20 disposals or more for the ball magnet. Reigning Sandover Medallist, Lachlan Delahunty contributed strongly once again, collecting 19 disposals, along with 23 hit outs and a goal. 

Liam Hickmott was fantastic on debut and didn’t look out of place on the big stage whatsoever. The midfielder recorded 16 disposals for the afternoon, to go with seven tackles and a goal; no doubt impressing his team-mates with his ability to find the ball and impact the game without it too. Aaron Breman also showed glimpses of why he was elevated to the League team, the 21-year-old Sorrento-Duncraig product was effective by foot; recording three inside 50’s from his six kicks, to go with three tackles of his own. Jakob Atkinson was the star in front of goal; pinch-hitting in the ruck and booted three majors and show how versatile he can be, after playing sometime in defence throughout the season. 

Subiaco maintained their lead from start to finish and will be boosted by the impact of their returning stars, as well as the games of their sixth and seventh debutants for the season. The Lions slick ball-use by foot around the ground saw them run out 26-point winners; 13.12.90 to 9.10.64 and fire a warning shot to the rest of the competition, proving they are still keen to remain kings of the jungle. 

NEXT UP
Subiaco host East Fremantle at Leederville Oval this Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in another do-or-die clash for the club. The Lions will be looking to bolster their position moving into finals against the seventh-placed Sharks and continue to develop their form as they move into September.

 
SUBIACO    4.7    8.8    10.12    13.12    (90)
PERTH        2.0    3.6       5.7      9.10     (64)

SUBIACO BEST: J. Atkinson, L. Kitchin, L. Delahunty, K. Stainsby, M. Braut, M. Walters.
SUBIACO GOALS: 3 – J. Atkinson, 2 – R. Waters, 2 – M. Walters, 1 – L. Kitchin, L. Hickmott, J.Beverley, L. Delahunty, A. Breman, M. Braut.
REPORTS: Nil.

RESERVES
The Lions travelled away to Mineral Resources Park to take on the lowly Perth Football Club, breaking away from the pack at the top end of the ladder and staking their claim for a 2020 Finals birth.

The Lions blew Perth out of the water early on and by half time had booted seven majors to one, opening up a 35-point margin and all but sealing the fate of the seventh-placed Perth. The Lions kept their foot on the gas as the afternoon wore on, winning the second half to run out eventual winners by 39 points. The final scoreline read 12.9.81 to 6.6.42 as the Lions proved too dominant around the ground and in front of goal.
 
The most pleasing part about the win was the even spread of goalkickers for the Lions, who had nine individual players register at least one goal. Thomas Edwards-Baldwin, Will Hickmott and Luke Shepherd all scored two each to round out a pleasing afternoon for the club.

NEXT UP
Subiaco host East Fremantle at Leederville Oval at 12 pm this Saturday as the club prepares for another opportunity to close the gap between them and first placed East Perth. The Lions are sitting half a win clear in second position with a game in hand of the ladder leaders and will be looking forward to September with a finals birth well and truly on the cards. 

SUBIACO    3.2    7.3    8.6    12.9    (81)
PERTH        1.1    1.4    6.6     6.6     (42)

SUBIACO BEST: N. Ash, B. Golding, L. Shepherd, W. Hickmott, J. Faraone. 
SUBIACO GOALS: 2 – T. Edwards-Baldwin, W. Hickmott, L. Shepherd, 1 – B. Fimmano, J. Robbins, B. Golding, J. Borchet, N. Ash, F. Shoveller 
REPORTS: Nil.

COLTS
The Lions travelled away to Mineral Resources Park last Saturday morning to take on the sixth-placed Perth Football Club in a bid to remain at the top end of the ladder. The Lions led at every major break to put together a dominant four-quarter performance, sending an ominous message to the rest of the competition in the process. 

After a fairly even first quarter, the Lions turned on the jets in the second; dominating possession and booting 6.6 to Perth’s 1.2 for the term. The match could’ve been well and truly over by half time had it not been for some missed opportunities in front of goal, but the scoring prowess of the Lions proved to be far too much for Perth’s frail backline to handle as the club amassed 29 scoring shots on goal for the morning. 

The Lions were slick and efficient when moving the ball through the midfield as they continued to gain inside 50 penetration time and time again, heaping continual pressure on Perth’s back six throughout the match. Connor Faraone booted three majors from his 16 disposals and nine marks as Lachlan Vanirsen and Sam Broughton also booted three of their own in a dominant display from the Lions forwards. Sandon Page and Jed Kemp played strongly, assisting their forwards countless times as they combined for 10 inside 50’s from their 14 and 21 disposals respectively, while Matthew Johnson collected 21 disposals of his own to round out a very tidy morning for the Lions midfield brigade.

The win all but sees the Lions secure a finals birth, sitting two games and more than 90% clear of the fourth-placed Sharks with two games remaining in the home and away season. The Lions have been strong all season and are proving to be a dominant force as the season nears the pointy end, having won every game since Round 1. 

NEXT UP
The Lions host East Fremantle this Saturday, 9.30am at Leederville Oval in a pivotal clash for the final’s chances of both sides. Both teams sit in finals contention and will be desperate to consolidate their positions in an attempt to extend their season beyond the home and away season. 
 
SUBIACO    3.1    9.7    13.8    17.12   (114)
PERTH        2.2    3.4     6.5        9.5     (59)

SUBIACO BEST: C. Faraone, L.Vanirsen, J. McGowan, C. Henderson, J. Kemp.  
SUBIACO GOALS: 3 - C. Faraone, L. Vanirsen, S. Broughton, 2 – S. Page, J. Bilchuris, 1 – E. Brunali, J. McGowan, L. McKay.

WAFLW
The ladder leading Lions hosted a much-improved South Fremantle outfit in the final round of the home and away season last Sunday at Leederville Oval. After trouncing the Bulldogs by 81 points in their last encounter, history looked set to repeat itself after a scoreless first quarter by the Bulldogs saw the Lions pull ahead by 29 points at the first break. 

Amazingly, the Lions only scored two more goals for the match, as inaccuracy in front of goal always left South Fremantle with a chance in the contest. The Lions dominated the contest but could not impact the score board in a way they would have liked as they only scored six goals from a mammoth 17 shots on goal. Amy Lavell was the star of the show as the ex-Fremantle Docker turned player/coach booted three majors, stamping her authority on the contest in the process. Aimee Schmidt was dominant up forward also but failed to convert her chances; finishing with 1.4 for the afternoon. Tiah Haynes and Maggie Maclachlan provided ample support also, as they both kicked a goal each. 

The win sees the Lions cement their position at the top of the ladder, securing the minor premiership comfortably, with two wins and some 60 percentage points ahead of the second-placed Peel Thunder. The win caps off a fantastic season for the team as they now move forward into September with their eyes firmly on securing the clubs maiden WAFLW Premiership.
 
NEXT UP
The Lions will host Peel Thunder in a mouth-watering contest between the two dominant teams this season. A win will see the victor progress straight through to the Grand Final, while the loser will battle it out the following week for a chance at Premiership glory.

SUBIACO                       4.5    5.7    6.10   6.11   (47)
SOUTH FREMANTLE    0.0    2.1    4.2     5.3     (33)

SUBIACO BEST: T. Golisano, H. Hyder, A. Dowrick, L. Jeffers, L. Rohde.
SUBIACO GOALS: 3 – A. Lavell, 1 – T. Haynes, A. Schmidt, M. MacLachlan. 
REPORTS: Nil.