WAFL: Walters’ last second heroics gets Subiaco on the board

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A remarkable point from Max Walters has ensured Subiaco head into the bye with a win, defeating East Perth in a one-point thriller at Leederville Oval on Saturday May 7.

With the scores level with two minutes to go, both teams were balancing their attack and defence, with each side looking for any score to win.

Ruckman Lachlan Delahunty put the ball to the top of the square late, where the ball spilled to space.

Walters was clever enough and had the sense in front of goal to soccer it towards the goal line, where it hit the post, before the siren sounded, marking the end of the 12.12 (84) to 12.11 (83) contest.

He was one of Subiaco’s players who went to another level when the game was on the line, with 16 disposals and five inside 50s in his return to the League side.

Stefan Giro was also back, and looked like he hadn’t missed a beat, with a game-high 32 disposals.  

Meanwhile Ben Sokol looked on song with five goals and 14 marks, and vice-captain Jordan Lockyer was important in defence.

The Lions looked the stronger side early, as they were able to get repeat inside 50s before Brandon Matera scored the first goal of the day.

Shortly after, Lewis Putt ran into space inside 50 and marked before converting for a major.

Subiaco would manage one more before the quarter was through, and it was Matera who benefitted from a free kick.

He slotted the goal, stretching the lead to 18 points.

From there East Perth switched on and looked to have more fight in the contest.

They managed multiple entries inside 50, but Subiaco’s defence was on top.

It wasn’t until time on when East Perth scored, with Christian Ameduri scoring his side’s first for the day.

The Lions went into the first change with a 10-point advantage.

The Royals kept the pressure on in the second term, with their aggressive play allowing them to take the lead.

East Perth’s Sebit Kuek was able to get the momentum early for East Perth, kicking through his first of the game early in the term.

Subiaco competed hard, but were caught out the back at times, with Nick Robertson the beneficiary on a couple of occasions.

A highlight for the Lions was when they went end-to-end, with Brandon Matera showing off his soccer skills to kick his third goal of the day.

However, the positives for Subiaco were too few in the term, as the Royals kicked four goals to one to lead by eight points at half time.

The Lions were desperate for the first goal in the second half to get the game back on their terms. 

It came off the boot of Ben Sokol, who brought the margin back to one point.

The Lions were in the action again up forward shortly after, where Lachie Vanirsen put through his first goal in maroon and gold.

Things were running hot for Subiaco when Brandon Matera kicked his fourth of the day, with the side turning their fortunes around to a lead of 11 points.

However, East Perth showed why they’re an improved side in 2022, kicking four of the next five goals to lead by six points at three quarter time.

Subiaco came back strongly in the last term, with Sokol kicking back to back goals to bring up five for the match, before a long range major from Aaron Breman stretched the lead to 11 points.

With the momentum in the Lions favour, the Royals threatened once again, kicking two to get themselves back in it.

A behind from East Perth just before the 29 minute mark of the quarter meant the scores were level, with Subiaco having possession.

It was a hot football for the last couple of minutes, and Walters put through a behind to seal the Lions’ first win of 2022.

In the other matches, the reserves had a heartbreaking three-point loss, while the Colts suffered the same fate, losing by three.

Subiaco next match is Saturday May 21, when the Lions head to Kalgoorlie to take on Swan Districts.

EAST PERTH        1.4    5.7    9.8    12.11    (83)
SUBIACO              3.2    4.5    8.8    12.12    (84)

Goals: Sokol 5; Matera 4; Breman, Putt, Vanirsen.
Best: Walters, Lockyer, W Hickmott, Giro, Sokol.