Round 8 and WAFLW Week 1 Finals Recap

LEAGUE

Subiaco registered their first win in front of a home crowd for the 2020 Season as they continue to build momentum and surge into Finals contention. In a season-defining clash for both clubs, a potential Finals birth remained on the cards if Subiaco won, while a loss would all but end their chances of a three-peat. 

The Lions welcomed back Premiership stars Hayden Kennedy and Angus Litherland, while Kyal Horsley, Rowen Powell and Aaron Heal also backed up well after their return from injury last weekend against Perth.

An inaccurate start saw the Lions fall 11 points behind at the first break, with only a point separating the two sides at half time. Both teams came out firing after the main break in a tight quarter that saw Subiaco draw ahead by one point at the final break. The Lions flicked the switch in the final term, piling on an astonishing 6.5 to The Sharks solitary point to run out eventual winners 12.12.84 to 6.7.43.

Subiaco won every major statistical category, dominating the possession count as well as the tackle count as they applied plenty of pressure with and without the footy in hand. Midfield stars Leigh Kitchin (26 disposals, two tackles), Kyal Horsley (26 disposals, five tackles), Greg Clark (23 disposals, 6 tackles) and impressive second-gamer Liam Hickmott (24 disposals, eight tackles) were too strong for their East Fremantle counterparts as they dominated around the contest and repeatedly surged the ball forward, combining for 22 inside-50’s between them. Lachlan Delahunty ran riot at the stoppages, flourishing in the absence of the Sharks first-choice ruckman. The Lions star was immense, recording 19 disposals and 35 hit-outs for the afternoon, as he repeatedly gave first use of the ball to Subiaco’s midfield brigade. The Lions shared the goals around, with Nicholas Martin, Ben Sokol, Bailey Matera and Kyal Horsley all registering multiple goals in mostly cloudy conditions at Leederville Oval.

The Lions have stamped themselves on the competition, once again showing they are still the team to beat and proving that they can still compete with the best even with their backs to the wall. Subiaco has had its squad depth and team morale tested all season, but as more star players continue to return to their ranks, their confidence and dominance within matches continue to shine through.  

NEXT UP
In the final round of the 2020 Home and Away Season, the Lions will travel away to Provident Financial Oval to take on the third-placed West Perth Falcons. With Perth hot on their trail, the Lions simply must win in order to continue their season and keep their Finals hopes alive.

SUBIACO                    0.4    3.4    6.7    12.12    (84)
EAST FREMANTLE    2.3    3.5    6.6      6.7     (43)

SUBIACO BEST: K. Stainsby, A. Litherland, L. Kitchin, B. Newton, L. Delahunty, M. Walters.
SUBIACO GOALS: 2 – N. Martin, B. Sokol, B. Matera, K. Horsley 1 – M. Walters, B. Newton, G. Clark, A. Breman.
REPORTS: Nil.

RESERVES

The Lions strengthened their claim of a top-two finish on the Reserves ladder after an absolutely dominant display over the East Fremantle Sharks at Leederville Oval on Saturday afternoon. The Sharks were rendered insipid as the Lions destroyed them around the ground, running out winners to the tune of 111 points.

After returning from injury, Ryan Borchet did his chances of a call up to the League team no harm, performing brilliantly on his way to booting six goals in 50% game time. Luke Shepherd and Jordan Faraone were equally impressive as they both slotted four goals each, contributing to the Lions whopping 31 scoring shots for the afternoon. The Sharks had no answers to the onslaught, as they recorded a paltry five scoring shots for the match, a total which the Lions had surpassed before the first quarter had even finished. 

While the Lions midfielders and forwards were impressive, so too was the backline unit, who worked together to only concede a single goal from quarter time onward. 

The 20.11.131 to 3.2.20 drubbing sees the Lions sit second on the ladder with a league-high percentage of 167.5 and extremely confident of success heading into September.

NEXT UP
In the final round of the Home and Away Season, the Lions will travel away to Provident Financial Oval. Bouncedown is at 12:00 midday, Saturday September 12 in conditions that look perfect for footy. A Finals birth is guaranteed already, but the Lions will look to perform against a team who is still a mathematical chance of making Finals. With it all to play for, expect a fierce contest this weekend. 

SUBIACO                    2.4    9.6    15.9    20.11    (131)
EAST FREMANTLE    2.2    2.2    2.2        3.2      (20)

SUBIACO BEST: L. Duyckers, B. Reid, W. Hickmott, L. Shepherd, N. Ash, R. Borchet.
SUBIACO GOALS: 6 – R. Borchet 4 – L. Shepherd, J. Faraone 2 – A. Doyle 1 – W. Hickmott, N. French, B. Golding, B. Young.
REPORTS: Nil.

COLTS

Round eight of the Simply Energy Colts competition saw Subiaco continue their strong form, recording their seventh consecutive win as they charge on towards Finals. The Sharks were valiant all morning but eventually ran out of legs as the Lions blew them away in the last quarter to win by 42 points. The match was all tied up at the first break with both sides kicking two goals apiece. The Lions drew ahead by a single goal at the half, doubling that lead at three-quarter time. Subiaco were too strong across the ground in the last, keeping the Sharks goalless and piling on five majors of their own. Lachlan Vanirsen was everywhere on the morning, amassing 27 disposals to go with six marks and four tackles, while Matthew Johnson found plenty of the ball yet again on his way to 20 disposals, five marks and four tackles. Jed Kemp continued his strong season also, working hard for 18 disposals, while impacted the game heavily in a defensive manner, recording eight tackles as well. 

Jaxon Bilchuris was unstoppable up forward, pulling in nine marks on his way to booting four goals, while Sandon Page and Nicholas Cleaver were damaging in front of goals, providing plenty of spark and kicking two goals each. Page has been strong all season for the Lions; kicking at least two majors in every one of his six Colts games this season, taking his season goal tally to 20 for the year.

NEXT UP
Subiaco will travel to Provident Financial Oval this Saturday as they take on West Perth in the final match of the home and away season. Both clubs are part of the Colts competitions most dominant sides this season and a win from either side could see some important changes in the top-four; so, expect both sides to be desperate to secure a win.

SUBIACO                    2.2    4.4    7.6    12.7    (79)
EAST FREMANTLE    2.2    3.4    5.6    5.7      (37)

SUBIACO BEST: N. Cleaver, J. McGowan, L. Henderson, L. Vanirsen, C. Grabe-Paparone.
SUBIACO GOALS: 4 – J. Bilchuris 2 – S. Page, N. Cleaver 1 – C. Patterson, J. McGowan, M. Johnson, E. Bolton.
REPORTS: Nil.

WAFLW

The Lions 2020 Finals campaign kicked off last Sunday at Leederville Oval in wet and windy conditions. Subiaco got the jump on Peel Thunder early as they kept them goalless, opening up at 13-point margin at the first break. The Thunder responded promptly after quarter-time, piling on three goals to one in the second quarter, drawing ahead by two points at the major break. The second half was a dour affair, thanks largely to the poor weather as both teams did their best to inch ahead in the arm-wrestle of a contest. The Lions managed to boot the only goal for the third quarter, heading into the final break just six points ahead. A goalless last quarter from both sides saw the Lions cling on for a gutsy victory, sending them straight through to the WAFLW Grand Final in two weeks’ time. 

Kia Buckley was the leading goal scorer for the Lions; booting two majors, while Aimee Schmidt and Abbey Dowrick were prominent in front of goals, both booting a major each. 

NEXT UP 
The Lions will enjoy their hard-earned week off as they watch with anticipation to see who they will compete with for Premiership glory. They have been the dominant side all season and have boosted their Premiership credentials even further by taking care of the second-placed Peel Thunder on the weekend. After exiting in straight sets during their 2019 Finals campaign, the Lions have gone one further, exorcising the demons of last season; as they attempt to secure the clubs first WAFLW Premiership.

SUBIACO               2.1    3.2    4.4    4.4     (28)
PEEL THUNDER    0.0    3.4    3.4    3.4     (22)

SUBIACO BEST: J. Ritchie, T. Haynes, A. Stannett, H. Miller, K. Buckley.
SUBIACO GOALS: 2 – K. Buckley 1 – A. Schmidt, A. Dowrick.
REPORTS: Nil.