Match Preview v South Fremantle

Match Preview v South Fremantle presented by CSG Marketing (https://csg.marketing/)

After an unexpected week off footy, the season has fast forwarded to round five where the Lions shift their focus to South Fremantle away this Saturday. With the two teams having a rich history of success and tight contests between them, both sides will look raring to go in a quality game on a perfect day for footy down at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.  Bouncedown at 2:10pm. 

FORM 
Subiaco had the start to the season they wanted in terms of cashing in the four points for each occasion, in which they have done so up to this point. Along with round one’s 28-point win over East Perth, Subi’s round two clash with East Freo ended in similar fashion with a fourth quarter dominance and 33-point margin in the end. It was round three’s fixture against an impressive West Perth that brought about the Lion’s first real down-to-the-wire test in a suspenseful match up throughout, leaving the 3-point margin in favour of Subiaco when the final siren sounded. These past two games show Subi can win anywhere and under high pressure and a quality side as an opponent. Each game so far presenting much to learn from and to pride themselves on. Individually, consistent showings from Marsh, Kitchin, Rodhe, Delahunty and Clark being in Subi’s best of the three games with Sokol also tallying eight goals for the start of the season. 

OPPONENT’S FORM 
Coming off the best possible season for the team last year being the reigning Premiers, South Freo have started their 2021 campaign off strong with only falling short in their Grand Final rematch by 16 against Claremont. Round one they took on West Perth in a high scoring, yet tough battle with the Falcons, but the reigining champs stood up tall for the final siren to claim them 21-point winners. Forward, Cody Ninyette kicked a bag and reigning Bernie Naylor medallist kicked four as well for the clash. Round two was the Grand Final rematch when the Tigers got their revenge from last year’s big dance heartbreak. In a tight contest, Shaw tallied on another five majors. Furthermore, most recently for the round three 18-point victory against Peel did Shaw add on another two to his name for the season and Haiden Schloithe continued to be the highest ball getter for the Bulldogs with 33 touches. South Freo will surely look to claim the four points against the top of the table Lions as they hope for back to back quality seasons. 

GOAL KICKERS
In round 4 of last year’s shortened season, when South Freo made it their day in a big win, the Lions’ Bailey Matera kicked the most for the home team with two majors, along with Waters, Delahunty, Sokol, Doyle and Nick Martin to all feature on the scoreboard with a single goal each to their name. For the Bulldogs it was Dylan Main and Mason Shaw that kicked three apiece and with 24 touches, Schloithe booted two as well.  

LAST TWO TIMES
In a year to remember for South Freo, the Bulldogs preluded to what was to come when they smashed the Lions by 50 at home. In what was an all-rounded performance for the away team, the Bulldogs covered all assets of the game including 22 scoring shots for 15 goals resulting in a 68.18% scoring accuracy. Delahunty for the Lions was the highest with disposals (19), whilst Greg Clark brought the pressure with 12 tackles, three inside-50s, 14 touches and a shot at goal to go with it. Kitchin (17 touches, 9 tackles), Stainsby and Newton were also amongst Subi’s best for the day. For South Freo it was Jake Florenca with game-high 26 touches and Schloithe not to far behind with 24. 
Prior to this meeting was a bright day in Subiaco’s history when the two sides met in the 2019 Grand Final, in which panned out to be a demolition by the Lions kicking 18 goals to 3 in a 96-point ultimate triumph. From the get-go did Subiaco show good signs, nine goals to South Freo’s one going into half time and the Bulldogs only ever adding on two more for the remainder of the game. Ex-Lions players Kyal Horsley shone on the big stage with 30 possessions, big name up forward, Ben Sokol looked formidable in front of goal with six majors and just as imposing around the ground with 15 touches also. Harry Marsh Booted three and Delahunty was in glistening form, 27 touches, 29 hitouts, five tackles and another two goals to his name for the biggest game of the season.  

OTHER GRADES
Colts will start the day with their game against the Bulldogs kicking off at 9:10am, followed by the Reserves playing at 11:40am and Saturday will finish with the League team at 2:10pm. All games will be played at Fremantle Community Bank Oval. For the Womens, it’s a home game at Leederville Oval and will also be a clash against South Freo but at 2pm on Sunday.