Match Preview v West Perth

Match Preview v West Perth presented by CSG Marketing (https://csg.marketing/)

Subiaco will go head to head with West Perth this Saturday at 2:40pm, in the Lions first real challenge this year as they face a top four team from the 2020 WAFL Premiership Season. The game will take place in Perth’s north at Provident Financial Oval in what looks to be warm conditions.

Keep an eye on Subiaco’s social media channels and app for updates across the day if you cannot make it to the game.

FORM

The Lions started off their 2021 campaign on a good note after a comfortable win against Leederville Oval co-tenant East Perth by 28 points in round one. The Lions showed their experience and durability when, despite a tense first half, changed gears in the final two quarters with scoring shots in their favour 18-9. With the final quarter belonging to the Lions, kicking 4.5, seems to be a trend in season 2021 thus far, as round two also saw the earlier stages of the game look like it would turn out to be a nail biter, yet Subiaco reached another level and stormed home in a five goal last quarter against East Freo last week. This second game of the season against the Sharks was up and down but ultimately in the end, Subiaco winning the game in the final term by 33 points.

Consistent well rounded performances by Captain Kitchin, Marsh, Clark and Delahunty to just name a few for the season so far have been vital in the team’s triumphs and look to be threatening in this week’s match up.

Slow starts and fast finishes will be something the Lions will hope to address and bring some consistency to, looking to make their dominant last quarter performances something seen for the entirety of the game through all four quarters.

OPPONENTS FORM   

West Perth started their season off with a match up, in what was expected to be a tough game, against reigning premiers South Fremantle, falling short by 21. In a hard fought three quarters and a competitive showing, where the Falcons were only ever trailing by goal at the end of each quarter, the 2020 premiers showed their class and found a way to get it done in the end.

The Falcons responded in a big way in a percentage-boosting win when they smashed West Coast by 78 points last week. In all aspects of the game was it a dominating performance by West Perth, getting 99 more touches of the ball and scoring shots 25-12, it all seemed to come together for them.

Consistent stars for West Perth being Shane Nelson, Trent Manzone and Aaron Black over the first two games all racking up 30+ disposals each and will look to definitely continue this form going up against Subi this week.

West Perth’s opponent West Coast being an inexperienced side for last week’s fixture, makes this week’s match up against Subiaco a real test to see if they can bring the same commanding performance to a much more experienced Lion’s side. 

GOAL KICKERS:

Last time these two teams met was in the last round of the 2020 season West Perth, came away with the win by 19 points. Subiaco had six different goal kickers in the game with Borchet and Clark kicking two, Stainsby, Waters, Walters and Matera also all featuring on the scoreboard with one each. Kitchin had team-high 23 disposals for the day with 13 tackles also and with now retired Kyal Horsely had 21 possessions with 5 tackles and 5 inside-50s to go with it. Delahunty won the hit-out battle 36-34 in a well-rounded performance for himself. West Perth’s Tyler Keitel kicked a bag with 12 disposals and Keegan Knott finished with two, while Shane Nelson had 28 possessions and Aaron Black with 26.

LAST TWO TIMES:

The previous two times these sides met has been a win for either team one being closer than the other. In round 9 in 2020 West Perth were victorious by 19 points at home, in comparison to Subiaco’s smashing of the Falcons by 70 points in round 19 of the 2019 season being a home game for the Lions at Leederville Oval.

OTHER GRADES
Futures will kick off the weekend with their game starting at 5pm on Friday night up at Provident Financial Oval. The Colts will start the Saturday with their game at 9:40am against West Perth at Provident Financial Oval also, Reserves will be just before the League team with their bounce down at 12:10pm also at Joondalup.