WAFL ROUND 5 RECAP

WAFL: Lions triumph in low scoring affair

Subiaco held on for a 12-point win over the Bulldogs at Leederville Oval on Saturday, May 6 in a thrilling contest. After South Fremantle hit the front for the first time in the match in the last quarter, both sides became desperate to get their team over the line.

The ball bounced between the two arcs, but neither team was able to create a buffer. Forward Ben Sokol answered the call, putting through a 45-metre set shot to give the Lions the lead back.

His partner in crime Ryan Borchet then came to the party, snapping through his third goal to seal the 7.10 (52) to 6.4 (40) result. Angus Dewar was important in defence, with 17 disposals and four tackles, while Zac Clarke continued his good form in the ruck, with 38 hit-outs to go with 14 disposals.

It was Clarke who kicked the first goal of the match, thanks to a ruck infringement inside 50.

From there Borchet got involved, kicking goals either side of a South Fremantle major to have the Lions up at quarter time. Subiaco’s defence was on top in the first half, conceding just the one goal. They provided a strong base in the middle of the ground, preventing the Bulldogs from entering their forward 50.

At one stage, Subiaco had three times as many inside 50s as South Fremantle, showing their dominance around the ground. However, it didn’t reflect the scoreboard, as the Bulldogs got their tails up in the second half. The Lions had their chances to respond, but South Fremantle were good enough to bring the margin down to 17 points at three-quarter time.

In the final term, it looked like the away side was firming to take the game away from Subiaco. The Bulldogs kicked three goals to hit the front for the first time in the match. However, the Lions stood up in the contest, getting their noses in front to secure the 12-point win.

It’s a result the Lions will be looking to take into round six, when they take on East Fremantle under lights at the WACA Ground.

SUBIACO 3.4 4.6 5.9 7.10 (52)

SOUTH FREMANTLE 1.2 1.3 3.4 6.4 (40)

Goals: Borchet 3, Sokol 2, L Hickmott, Clarke.

Best: Dewar, Clarke, Schofield, W Hickmott, Rohde.

RESERVES

Subiaco have continued their perfect start to the 2023 season, defeating South Fremantle by 34 points. Forward Jack Mayo got the side off to the perfect start, putting through his first of the day.

The Lions built on the lead, with their defence standing up throughout. For every goal the Bulldogs kicked, Subiaco responded with multiple scores at the other end.

Abraham Clinch racked up plenty of the football from the backline, with 35 disposals. Meanwhile, Mayo provided plenty up forward, with three goals and 10 marks from his 24 touches.

SUBIACO 3.2 5.6 6.11 8.14 (62)

SOUTH FREMANTLE 1.1 2.1 4.1 4.4 (28)

Goals: Mayo 3, Nevill 2, Robbins, Hitchcock, Farmer.

Best: A Clinch, Mayo, Patterson, I Clinch, Bellouard, Robinson.
 

COLTS

Subiaco have secured back-to-back wins for the first time this season, defeating South Fremantle by 44 points. Malakai Champion ran into an open goal to start things off for the Lions, thanks to some hard work down the ground from Dylan O’Dea. It was the start of a run of three unanswered goals, with the Bulldogs struggling to get back in the contest for the rest of the match. 

Subiaco’s defence played a strong role, keeping South Fremantle to four goals despite them having 37 inside 50s. Midfield bull Lachlan MacRae continues to get the job done, with 24 disposals and a whopping 13 tackles. Meanwhile, Tyler Senge performed strongly, with 22 touches and five tackles.

SUBIACO 4.4 7.6 8.9 11.13 (79)

SOUTH FREMANTLE 2.1 5.3 5.3 5.5 (35)

Goals: Walsh 3, Collard 2, Champion 2, MacRae, Wills, Steinmann, Henderson.

Best: MacRae, Senge, Crane, Champion, Mayfield.