WAFL: Subiaco go down in tale of two halves

Subiaco put the fight to Peel Thunder, but just fell short in a six-point thriller at Leederville Oval.

The Lions were ahead for the majority of the contest, but weren’t able to stop a surging Thunder outfit, who were buoyed by the inclusion of two-time Brownlow Medallist Nat Fyfe.

After looking the better side in the first half, Peel fought back, with the scores were level in the late stages of the match.

With the game on the line, AFL-listed Docker Josh Treacy held his nerve in front of goal to give his side the 11.8 (74) to 10.8 (68) win in front of nearly 3,000 fans.

Ruckman Lachlan Delahunty was strong around the ground and laid a whopping 13 tackles to try and get the Lions up, while Ryan Borchet was a force up forward, kicking a game-high four goals.

Subiaco continued to reward good form in the reserves, debuting three players in Lachlan Henderson, Galen Savigni, and Jake South, bringing the total to 15 for the season.

Both teams looked to get the upper hand early, with the contest heated from the first bounce.

After a couple of nervy moments from both sides, Jordan Faraone got the Lions off the mark, kicking the first major of the game.

Shortly after, Ryan Borchet took a strong contested mark deep inside 50, kicking truly to stretch Subiaco’s lead.

The Lions had all the play during the middle part of the term, with Faraone taking a strong contested mark.

He kicked the goal from 45 metres out, with Subiaco surging to an 18-point lead.

The Thunder were able to get one back soon after, but some good play late saw the advantage go to Subiaco.

A chain of passes from the Lions ended with another goal to Faraone, with the lead at 17 points at quarter time.

Subiaco continued their momentum in the second term, with Wil Hickmott hitting a pinpoint accurate pass to Ben Sokol.

Despite being on a tough angle in the pocket, Sokol made no mistake, snapping on his left to increase the margin.

The teams traded goals throughout the term, with Ryan Borchet kicking his second, and Kody Eaton nailing his first.

Late in the term, Stefan Giro got on the board to make the margin 23 points in favour of the Lions at half time.

The third quarter belonged to the Thunder, with some AFL-listed talent having a heavy influence.

The Thunder kicked four goals in a row in the term, led by Josh Treacy who kicked two to get Peel in front.

However, Subiaco were able to gather, and went coast to coast for Ryan Borchet’s third goal, getting them back the lead.

At three quarter time, just five points separated the two sides, setting up a thrilling last term.

In a nail biting contest, the Thunder were able to get the first goal giving them the momentum.

The contest was hot, and it was soon to be a case of who would be able to hold their nerve. 

After Peel got out to a six-point lead, Borchet kicked his fourth to get the Lions on level terms.

However, the Thunder proved too strong, with Treacy kicking a late goal to seal the win.

The reserves continued their fine form, winning by nine points, while the Colts fell short in a one-point nail biter.

SUBIACO        4.2    8.3    9.6    10.8    (68)
PEEL THUNDER    1.3    4.4    8.7    11.8    (74)

Goals: Borchet 4; Faraone 3; Eaton, Giro, Sokol.
Best: Borchet, Delahunty, Heal, Giro.