Demons Rue Missed Opportunties

Subiaco confirmed their flag favouritism on Sunday afternoon, as the reigning premiers prevailed over Perth 14.9 (93) to 4.19 (43) at Medibank Stadium.

Perth, who were coming off a comeback win against Claremont last weekend, were made to pay for inaccurate goalkicking and crucial handling errors, with Subiaco’s discipline and composure at the contest proving the difference at the end of the day.

The Demons entered the match down a key forward, with the withdrawal of Spencer White due to a minor foot injury. The club decided to take no risks and opted to rest White, with the injury believed to be non-serious.

Subiaco’s key forward Hamish Shepheard was a key contributor for the home side with five goals, as he ended up being one of only two multiple goal kickers for the game.

Neither side were able to assert their authority on the contest in the first term, with Subiaco kicking the only goal of the quarter through Leigh Kitchin.

The Lions kicked six goals in the second an third quarters, pushing the margin out to 60 points halfway through the third term.

Perth managed to kick their second goal of the match at the 22^nd minute mark of the third term through Aiden Tropiano, as Perth threatened to bridge the margin back with a dominance of possession late in the term.

Perth went on to win the final term, but it was Kitchin who had a major impact on the game for the Lions, as he amassed 39 possessions in the midfield.

Other Lions to get amongst the possessions included Lachlan Delahunty (33), Brett Robinson (27 and seven tackles), Chris Phelan (27) and Kyal Horseley (22)

For the Demons, Clinton Jones worked tirelessly for his 36 possessions, along with honourable contributions from Sandover medallist Aiden Tropiano (32), Julian Jacobs (24) and Zac Fisher (22).

The colts recorded their third straight victory with a 53-point victory to remain undefeated, but the reserves went down by 43 points.

The Demons will lick their wounds and face second-placed South Fremantle at Lathlain Park next Saturday afternoon.

SUBIACO                     1.4       7.5       13.7     14.9 (93)

PERTH                         0.5       1.10     2.15     4.19 (43)

GOALS

SUBIACO: H Shepheard 5, B Sokol 2, Cockie 1, Delahunty 1, Garcia 1, Kitchin 1, McKenzie 1, Robinson 1, Wheeler 1.

PERTH: Walley 1, Stack 1, Tropiano 1, Graham 1.

BEST

SUBIACO: Kitchin, Delahunty, Shepheard, Horsley, Wheeler, Phelan, Robinson

PERTH: C Jones, A Tropiano, B Latch, M Sinclair, T Etto

INJURIES

SUBIACO: H Kennedy (lower leg)   PERTH: S White (foot, replaced in the side by S Mills)

UMPIRES: C Snadden, N Williamson, T McPhee

CROWD: 900 (approx) at Medibank Stadium