Weekend Round Recap

WAFLW

Subiaco and Peel Thunder did battle for the ultimate success on Saturday, with the WAFLW Premiership up for grabs to whoever could hold their nerve and win this massive encounter. In drizzly conditions at Provident Financial Oval the two form teams of the 2020 season opened their accounts with a goal apiece in the first quarter, as both sides battled with the extra pressure of finals footy. Peel Thunder were the first team to take charge of the match as they came out into the second quarter on fire, putting three straight majors on the board to one solitary behind for the Lions, heading into the major break with a comfortable 18-point lead. The third quarter was a dour affair that saw just one goal, thanks to Subiaco’s Maggie MacLachlan. MacLachlan was the star of the show for the Lions, with her entire teams score coming off her boot alone as she recorded two majors across the afternoon. With only 14 points separating the two sides at the final break, there was everything to play for but unfortunately, the arm-wrestle of a quarter resulted in just the one behind being kicked, giving Peel Thunder a 15-point victory, 4.4.28 to 2.1.13.

While a disappointing result, Subiaco have played yet another strong season which will no doubt continue into next season as they push for an elusive WAFLW Premiership. Unfortunately, Subiaco were beaten by a better side on the day, no doubt fuelling the fire within the players as they move forward in their careers and attempt to earn some well-deserved silver wear.

SUBIACO               1.0    1.1    2.1    2.1    (13)
PEEL THUNDER    1.1    4.1    4.3    4.4    (28)

SUBIACO BEST: M. MacLachlan
SUBIACO GOALS: M. MacLachlan
 

COLTS

Subiaco started their quest for Premiership glory on Sunday with a top of the table clash against Claremont, with the winner set for a week to recover before the Grand Final. Meeting for the second time this season on neutral turf at Fremantle Community Bank Oval, both sides were looking to make a statement and show that they are the team to beat in Season 2020. In cloudy and mild conditions, both teams came out firing with the ferocity of finals football clearly on show. The first half was mostly an arm-wrestle as both sides battled to gain the ascendancy in the contest.

Subiaco were physical around the contest and efficient when going inside 50 as Claremont squandered plenty of chances to always leave the Lions within touching distance. With only 11 points separating the two sides at the main break the game was well and truly up for grabs, however the third quarter saw a change in fortunes for the Lions who were unable to make use of their dominance and capitalise on the scoreboard, recording 1.4 for the quarter to the Tigers one straight major. With only a seven-point margin separating the two sides at the final break a mouth-watering finish was in sight as players from both sides were keen to assert themselves on the contest and win the match for their club. Claremont’s continual dominance in the ruck department proved too much for the Lions in the final quarter, as the midfielders struggled to get first use of the ball and close the gap that the Tigers had opened up during the first quarter.

Lachlan Vanirsen did all in his power for the Lions, gathering 21 disposals and laying eight tackles, while Jed Kemp laid ten tackles to go with his 19 disposals for morning too. The forward line prowess that has held the Lions in good stead throughout the season was lacking as the midfielders struggled to win large amounts of the ball around the ground and give their forwards opportunities in front of goal. Jaxon Bilchuris was the only multiple goal scorer for the Lions, while Jed Kemp, Matthew Johnson, Ezekiel Bolton and Jacob Evitt all registered one major each for the match. While disappointed with the 15-point loss, the Lions will be eager to take on the Tigers one more time this season and gain bragging rights in a tussle that has delivered two high quality games of football already this season.

NEXT UP

The Lions will do battle with the East Fremantle Sharks in a match that is simply a must win. There are no more second chances at this stage of the season and the Lions will be desperate to do away with the Sharks and take on the Claremont Tigers one last time for Season 2020, with the ultimate prize up for grabs.
 
SUBIACO          2.0    3.2    4.6      6.7    (43)
CLAREMONT    2.5    4.7    5.7    8.10    (58)

SUBIACO BEST: C. Patterson, L. Henderson, C. Grabe-Paparone, L. Vanirsen, J. McGowan.
SUBIACO GOALS: 2 – J. Bilchuris, 1 – J. Kemp, M. Johnson, E. Bolton, J. Evitt.
 

RESERVES

Week one of the 2020 WAFL Reserves finals series commenced with the Lions taking on East Perth at Provident Financial Oval. The two form sides of the season did battle in brisk and cloudy conditions in what shaped as a potential Grand Final preview. East Perth proved too powerful on the day, booking their place in the Grand Final and winning by 26 points, 9.9.63 to Subiaco’s incredibly accurate 6.1.37. 

The first quarter was a complete goal-fest that saw the two sides combine for seven majors, unfortunately Subiaco only contributed two of those. Subiaco were accurate all day and still hadn’t recorded a behind at the half time break to go with their three goals, as the Royals extended their lead out to a very manageable 20 points at half time. Both sides recorded a goal apiece in the third term and two each in the last as the margin essentially stayed as it was for the remainder of the match.

Subiaco’s scoring was restricted all day as they only managed to record seven scoring shots for the match compared to East Perth 18. Jack Borchet was the lone multiple goal scorer for the Lions as he kicked two for the day, while Thomas Edwards-Baldwin, Braden Fimmano, Mitchell Hughes and Jordon Adams all hit the scoreboard to record a goal each.

East Perth continued their unbeaten run for the season and will be hard to stop in the Grand Final, Subiaco has been the only team that has been able to match this dominant Royals outfit this season, albeit in small portions of the game so they should be well versed in East Perth’s brand of footy should they get the opportunity to do battle one last time this season. 

NEXT UP

Subiaco will take on Claremont for an opportunity to play in the Grand Final the following week against a well-rested East Perth. Both sides have enjoyed a successful season and the match looms as an exciting contest that will ultimately spell the end of one teams’ season, while presenting the chance of Premiership glory to the other.
 
SUBIACO          2.0    3.0    4.1    6.1    (37)
EAST PERTH    5.0    6.2    7.5    9.9    (63)

SUBIACO BEST: O. Matthews, B. Golding, L. Hickmott, A. Clinch.
SUBIACO GOALS: 2 – J. Borchet, 1 – T. Edwards-Baldwin, B. Fimmano, M. Hughes, J. Adams.