Subiaco had been the standout team for much of the first ever Optus WAFLW Premiership season and did finish as minor premiers, but lost the second semi-final to East Fremantle leaving them in a must-win situation on Saturday to keep their 2019 campaign alive.
The Lions had earned hosting rights for the preliminary final on Saturday afternoon as they took on Swans at Leederville Oval, but it was the black-and-whites who came into the game with the momentum on the back of a four-match winning streak.