Round 8 – Swan Districts v Subiaco Match ReportMonday, May 8, 2017 - 5:57 AM - by Chris Pike

SUBIACO continued to flex its muscles with an emphatic 64-point win over Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval on Saturday.

Swan Districts and Subiaco both entered Saturday's clash at Bassendean having lost just once so far this season in the opening seven rounds, but it was the Lions who would come away having made a significant statement.

The Lions got off to a flying start with the first three goals of the contest and went on with the job from there to end up beating Swans 15.19 (109) to 6.9 (45).

The win improves Subiaco to a 6-1 record on the season to be just percentage behind South Fremantle on the ladder with the two teams to do battle this Saturday at Leederville Oval.

Swan Districts slipped to a 5-2 record having now lost two of its last three games after starting 2017 winning its opening four matches.

With Liam Ryan and Ben Sokol kicking just the one goal apiece for the afternoon, Subiaco needed some other avenues to goal and found that in the form of Brad Stevenson and Liam Baker.

Stevenson provided the Lions with a strong target in attack and finished with five goals from 14 possessions and six marks.

Meanwhile, the diminutive Baker continues to make the most of his league opportunities after joining the Lions from West Perth kicking three goals to go with 17 disposals.

Leigh Kitchin was a dominant presence in the midfield for Subiaco with a best on ground display delivering 32 possessions along with eight inside-50 entries, seven marks, six tackles and a goal.

The ever-consistent Chris Phelan wasn’t far behind with another 28 disposals as well while captain Kyal Horsley finished with 24 touches, six inside 50s, five tackles and a goal.

Lachlan Delahunty returned and had a big job ahead in the ruck against both Jake Nuich and Corey Gault, and while he had just 12 hit outs compared to their combined 60, it actually worked in his favour at times and he ended up with 21 possessions.

Adam Cockie played his first league game of the season and was his usual bullocking self with 17 possessions, seven tackles, seven inside-50 entries and a goal.

Co-captain David Ellard did all he could to try and keep Swan Districts in the contest continuing his outstanding form this season with another 28 possessions to go with 10 marks and a goal.

Warrick Wilson was also effective with his 21 disposals, six tackles and five inside 50s.

Adam Faulkner picked up 19 touches for Swans, Jarrad Blight 18, Matt Riggio 17 and Tony Notte 17 to go with nine marks.

Ricky Cary kicked another two goals for the black-and-whites while down back Kirk Ugle did a strong job but the home team missed co-captain Tallan Ames who went off early through concussion.

Subiaco made a fast start with the opening three goals courtesy of Stevenson, Matt Bogensperger and Baker before Swans got on the board before quarter-time through Taryce Stewart to cut their deficit to 16 points.

Then by the time Gault scored a goal for Swan Districts 23 minutes into the second term, the margin was just 13 points but the Lions kicked up a gear with three goals in three minutes before half-time. Stevenson kicked two and Baker the other to give the visitors a 31-point half-time lead.

Subiaco kicked another five goals to two in the third term to open up a 51-point lead by the last change before another three majors to one in the last term handed the Lions their sixth straight victory to the tune of 64 points.

Subiaco now has the chance to move clear on top of the ladder with a win over South Fremantle at Leederville Oval on Saturday. 

Swan Districts has the opportunity to bounce back by taking on reigning premiers Peel Thunder at Bendigo Bank Stadium also on Saturday.

SUBIACO            3.5    7.9    12.14    15.19    (109)
SWAN DISTRICTS        1.1    3.2    5.5    6.9    (45)

SUBIACO – Goals: Stevenson 5; Baker 3; Ryan, Sokol, Bogensperger, Cockie, Kitchin, Horsley.
Best: Kitchin, Phelan, Stevenson, Baker, Delahunty, Horsley, Cockie.
SWAN DISTRICTS – Goals: Cary 2; Stewart, Gault, Rogers, Ellard.
Best: Ellard, Ugle, Wilson, Notte, Blight.