WAFLW: Subiaco take narrow loss to Sharks

 

The Lions fell six points short of victory in a heavily contested game against East Fremantle at Leederville Oval on Saturday March 25.

 

Subiaco owned their fair share of the match, but the experienced Sharks were able to control the game in the final stages to close out the 5.4 (34) to 4.4 (28) result.

 

The Lions backline was impressive throughout the match, led by Clare McCarthy with 14 disposals.

 

Grace Hahnel also showed she’s up to the level, working hard on the wing with 13 disposals and five marks.

 

Despite the result, the Lions showed they are capable against the competition’s top sides.

 

It was a contested slog to start off the match.

 

Neither side appeared to have the penetration to get the ball deep inside their forward 50.

 

The majority of the first term was played between the arcs, with East Fremantle’s defence in particular standing tall.

 

Soon enough it was the forward pressure from the Sharks that got them on the board, with Anjelique Raison taking a mark and kicking truly for the first of the match.

 

Not to be deterred, Subiaco got one back with Grace Hahnel kicking into space for Amy Mulholland who put it through to even the scores.

 

The Lions continued to push for the term, but weren’t able to create scores.

 

East Fremantle on the other hand used precision ball movement to find success, scoring back to back goals to take a 10-point lead into quarter time.

 

Subiaco looked to have flipped the switch in the second quarter, as Jess Ritchie lowered her eyes and found Eva Popovsky inside 50.

 

She converted, bringing the margin back to four points.

 

It was a hard, contested game for the rest of the term, and at times it appeared the Lions were moving the ball too quickly, finding themselves outnumbered when going forward.

 

For all of Subiaco’s strong efforts in the term, there wasn’t much to show on the scoreboard.

 

A late goal to the Sharks as a result of poor ball movement in the Lions’ defensive 50 meant 10 points separated the two sides at half time.

 

The third term belonged to Subiaco.

 

They came out looking to dominate possession and keep the ball in their forward half.

 

Mulholland was in the action during the quarter, kicking a goal on her left foot to bring the Lions within four points.

 

Subiaco had multiple entries inside 50, but the Sharks’ backline stood up.

 

But when the three quarter time siren blew, the Lions had momentum and were looking to surge.

 

It wasn’t the case however, with East Fremantle sensing the moment, as Raison put through her second to give themselves a 12-point buffer.

 

Subiaco’s coaching staff decided a target was needed up forward to get themselves back into the match.

 

Enter Olivia Crane.

 

The 15-year-old was thrown inside forward 50 with immediate effect, taking a strong mark.

 

She converted to bring the margin back to six points.

 

A frantic final five minutes had both sides wrestling for possession, but in the end it was East Fremantle’s experienced heads who allowed them to maintain control.

 

SUBIACO 1.2 2.2 3.4 4.4 (28)

EAST FREMANTLE 3.0 4.0 4.2 5.4 (34)

 

Goals: Mulholland 2, Popovsky, Crane.

Best: McCarthy, Hahnel, Newland, Dethlefsen, Mulholland.