Round 4 – Subiaco v Peel Thunder Match ReportMonday, April 10, 2017 - 9:10 AM

SUBIACO and Peel Thunder did battle on Saturday for the first time since last year's WAFL grand final and it was the Lions earning a measure of revenge winning by 15 points at Leederville Oval.

Subiaco has played in the past three WAFL grand finals and booked in a spot in last year's decider after being minor premiers and advancing by winning its second semi-final.

However, come grand final day Peel was an unstoppable force winning its fourth straight final to create history to in the club's first premiership in its first grand final and just second ever finals appearance.

Now Saturday's clash at Leederville Oval was the first time the two teams have met since that fateful day.

While both teams were vastly different than ran out on grand final day last September, Subiaco still had some making up to do.

The Lions were able to hold the Thunder goalless in the first quarter and went on to record the 11.16 (82) to 10.7 (67) victory.

Subiaco has now won three straight matches over Perth, West Perth and Peel following an opening round loss to South Fremantle.

Peel, meanwhile, has lost two straight to South Fremantle and Subiaco after beginning the season with wins over East Perth and East Fremantle.

It was a scrappy and high pressure opening to the contest with Subiaco managing the only two goals of the first quarter to lead by 13 points at the first change.

Peel did get on the board in the second term and managed to kick three goals, but up the other end Subiaco kicked five more goals to take a comfortable 27-point advantage into half-time.

The Thunder weren’t going away and gave themselves a shot with four goals to two to be within 17 points by three quarter-time, but the Lions did enough to hold on for the 15-point victory.

Captain Kyal Horsley was again outstanding for Subiaco with 27 possessions and a good long goal.

He had plenty of help in the midfield with Lachlan Delahunty amassing 27 disposals, five marks and 23 hit outs in the ruck.

Chris Phelan also finished with 30 touches for the Lions, Max Walters 23, Braden Fimmano 22 and Bailey Matera 19.

Ben Sokol threatened to have a big day for Subiaco up forward kicking 2.5 from 20 possessions and 10 marks. Liam Ryan kicked two goals and worked hard for 18 disposals and six marks.

Brad Stevenson provided a good target with 19 touches, seven marks and a goal with Clancy Wheeler also having 19 possessions. Rowen Powell also played likely the best league game of his career with 26 disposals and five marks.

Wayde Twomey played his best game of the season off half-back for the Lions with 27 possessions and six marks.

Matt Taberner worked hard as a target in attack for Peel finishing with 17 possessions, 10 marks and four goals. Leroy Jetta kicked another two goals for the Thunder.

Darcy Tucker responded to his demotion from Fremantle to have a strong performance for Peel with 30 possessions, 10 marks and eight tackles.

Cameron Sutcliffe was in a similar boat and responded well with 28 disposals as was ruckman Jonathon Griffin who had 15 touches, six marks, 22 hit outs and a goal.

Blair Bell also worked hard for the Thunder with 24 touches, seven marks and a goal while Rory O'Brien finished with 21 possessions, Nick Suban 20 and Josh Mathers 17.

Peel will host West Perth at Bendigo Bank Stadium on Good Friday with Subiaco taking on East Perth at Leederville Oval also on Friday.
 
SUBIACO            2.5    7.9    9.12    11.16    (82)
PEEL THUNDER            0.4    3.6    7.7    10.7    (67)

SUBIACO – Goals: Ryan, Sokol 2; Horsley, Kitchin, Phelan, Stevenson, Nelson, Latham.
Best: Horsley, Phelan, Twomey, Powell, Stevenson, Delahunty, Ryan, Walters.
PEEL THUNDER – Goals: Taberner 4; Jetta 2; Strnadica, Bell, Griffin, Ugle.
Best: Tucker, Sutcliffe, Bell, Taberner, Griffin, Suban.