Rd 21 Match Review: Subiaco v Demons

PERTH had only one hope to still play finals in 2018 and that was to hand Subiaco its first defeat of the season in the final round but the Lions weren’t in a giving mood, dominating from start to finish to win by 72 points.

 

Subiaco was chasing history to go through the season undefeated and with the break to come in the first week of the finals and then pressure on for spots within the team, there was never going to be any signs of complacency from the Lions.

 

The Demons then needed to win the game and then hope Peel beat East Perth at the same time to be any hope of ending a finals drought dating back to 1997, but it wasn’t to be.

 

Subiaco dominated from start to finish including holding Perth to just two goals and two scoring shots the entire first half.

 

The Lions never let up and went on to win 17.10 (112) to 6.4 (40) to finish with a perfect 18-0 record for the season as they now await the winner of Saturday's qualifying final between South Fremantle and West Perth in the following Sunday's second semi-final at Leederville Oval.

 

Perth finishes its improved season in sixth position with a 7-11 record despite ending on a four-game losing slide.

 

There was certainly no signs of Subiaco taking it easy and with such pressure on for positions on the team, nobody could afford an off day with Greg Clark, Ben Newton, Rhys Waters and Adam Cockie among those who didn’t play on Saturday but who would hope to be there come finals time.

 

The Lions were never troubled from the outset despite the Demons still potentially playing to keep their finals dream alive. Subiaco finished with 102 more possessions than Perth, 11 more marks, 34 more hit outs, 37 extra inside-50 entries and 17 more scoring shots. 

 

The Lions again found a way to score over 100 points and kick 17 goals with their leading goalkicker Ben Sokol the star in attack with five goals from 19 possessions and 10 marks.

 

Kyle Halligan kicked another two goals as did Clancy Wheeler and Lachlan Delahunty to go with 19 possessions, eight marks and 12 hit outs.

 

Ruckman Zac Clarke kicked two goals as well to continue his dominant form through the second half of the season to go with 20 possessions, six marks and 50 hit outs.

 

The Subiaco midfield took full advantage of Clarke's dominance with Kyal Horsley racking up another 30 possessions, Josh Deluca 30, Leigh Kitchin 28, Chris Phelan 28, Justin Joyce 21, Rowen Powell 21 and Braden Fimmano 20 to go with six tackles.

 

Perth didn’t manage a multiple goalkicker thanks to the impressive Subiaco defence led by Jordan Lockyer who kept Spencer White to the one goal and two kicks for the afternoon.

 

Jacob Miller also finished with 25 possessions, Drew Rohde 22, Hayden Kennedy 18 and Angus Litherland 17.

 

Perth captain Clint Jones fought against the odds in another strong showing capping his tremendous 2018 season with 30 possessions, seven marks and a goal.

 

Corey Yeo finished his first season at Perth strongly as well with 33 possessions and seven inside-50 entries while Michael Sinclair gathered 22 disposals, Matthew Taylor 18, Cody Leggett 18, Corey Byrne 17, Brant Colledge 17 and Sydney Stack 17.

 

Perth started the game in encouraging fashion with the first goal through Spencer White at the 11-minute mark. But that would be the Demons' only score of the quarter with Subiaco going on to record majors through Zac Clarke, Brad Stevenson, Ben Sokol and Sokol again to take over the contest.

 

Perth again managed the first goal of the second term, this time through ruckman Christian Eyres, but the Lions again answered with three goals before half-time to Chris Phelan, Kyle Halligan and Sokol to be 39 points to the good at the main break.

 

Even after an early third quarter goal for Subiaco to Clancy Wheeler, Perth did well to kick the next three through Clint Jones, Brant Colledge and Cody Ninyette, but they just couldn’t maintain it.

 

Subiaco finished the third quarter with goals to Sokol, Kyal Horsley, Clarke and Wheeler before adding another five to one in the last term to run out comfortable 72-point victors to close out a perfect season. 

Subiaco locked away the reserves minor premiership having already secured top spot in the league and colts as well by beating Perth in a tight battle on Saturday at Leederville Oval.

Both teams managed just a goal apiece in the first quarter before Subiaco kicked away with six goals to three in the second term.

Perth had closed the gap to 15 points by three quarter-time and then kicked three goals to two in the last quarter but Subiaco held on to win 11.7 (73) to 10.6 (66).

The win means Subiaco finishes the season with a 13-5 record in first position to earn the week off in the first week of the finals before taking on either East Perth or Claremont in the second semi-final.

Perth missed out on a finals appearance with the tight loss. A win would have seen them take fifth position but the Demons finish sixth at 8-10.

Ray Daniels kicked another four goals for Subiaco and Ryan Borchet two.

Daniel Leach compiled 27 disposals for the Lions, Travis Cleggett 24, Nick Menegola 17 and Mckenzie Lawrence 17.

Marshall Jones and Lennon Marlin kicked two goals apiece for Perth.

Ben Giobbi gathered 25 possessions for the Demons, Taran Etto 25, Sam Garstone 18 and Shaun Smith 16.

 

SUBIACO – Goals: Sokol 5; Halligan, Delahunty, Wheeler, Clarke 2; Horsley, Litherland, Phelan, Stevenson.

Best: Deluca, Sokol, Clarke, Horsley, Kitchin, Phelan, Miller, Delahunty.

PERTH – Goals: Jones, Ninyette, White, Colledge, Eyres, Bennell.

Best: Yeo, Jones, Sinclair, Leggett, Taylor, Byrne.