WAFLW: Lions find form under lights

Subiaco has bounced back from back-to-back losses to start the season, defeating South Fremantle by 19 points on Friday March 4.

The Lions first quarter blitz of four goals got the team on top, with the margin too great for the Bulldogs to overcome.

Madison Dodd was impressive upon her return to the WAFLW side, playing her role in defence well with 18 disposals.

Captain Tarni Golisano (23 disposals) was also influential all match, often used as the link between the backline and the forwards.

The Lions looked a dominant force in the first quarter, with Subiaco able to stamp their authority from the first bounce.

It took just over a minute for the Lions to get on the scoreboard, with key forward Jess Ritchie diving for a mark deep inside 50, before converting for a goal.

Soon after it was the Lions again, as Nyra Anderson found Amy Mulholland in space, who steadied and kicked a nice goal on the run.

It was Anderson’s turn later in the quarter, as Tarni Golisano weighted a kick to her advantage and took the mark, before putting it through the big sticks.

To finish the quarter, Amy Hunt and Kate Pocsidio both put on strong tackles inside 50, with Hunt rewarded with the free kick.

She put through for a goal to get Subiaco four goals ahead at quarter time.

The intensity was turned up in the second term, as a much scrappier contest came to light.

South Fremantle increased their pressure, and had chances inside 50 but were unable to capitialise.

Subiaco’s defensive efforts were too much for the Bulldogs, highlighted by Madison Dodd, who anticipated a handball inside the defensive 50 to save a certain shot on goal.

It was back and forth throughout the term, with only minor scores put on the board.

Subiaco kept South Fremantle goalless at the halfway point of the match, meaning the Lions took a 23-point lead into the half time.

With the dew well and truly in place in the third term, it became more and more difficult for teams to maintain clean possession of the football.

The Lions looked to get boot to ball to gain territory, rather than the controlled possession they had been utilising earlier in the game.

Subiaco’s pressure was still immense, but a free kick awarded inside the Bulldog’s forward 50 resulted in their first goal of the match.

The damage could have been worse in the quarter for Subiaco, but the backline was solid, with Liana Burchell one of the standouts.

The Lions surged in the back half of the term, looking to take the game out of South Fremantle’s hands.

The opportunities came, but Subiaco weren’t able to make the most of it, leading by 19 points at three quarter time.

With the game still on the line in the last, the contest was fierce.

Neither team was willing to give an inch, but the Bulldogs had the play early.

A South Fremantle goal in the seventh minute meant it was well and truly anyone’s game for the remainder of the match. 

From there, Subiaco clicked into gear to get the game back on their terms.

Repeat inside 50s gave the Lions a chance to seal the game, and it came when Hanna Dethlefsen was awarded a free kick inside 50.

She was able to put it through for a goal, to seal the 19-point victory.

Earlier in the day, the Rogers Cup side fought hard, but were defeated by 23 points.

SOUTH FREMANTLE    0.1    0.3    1.4    2.5    (17)
SUBIACO                       4.1    4.2    4.5    5.6    (36)

Goals: Anderson, Dethlefsen, Hunt, Mulholland, Ritchie.
Best: Dodd, Golisano, Burchell, Dethlefsen, Ritchie.