Round 6 Preview – Subiaco v West PerthFriday, May 4, 2018 - 8:31 PM - by Chris Pike

SUBIACO is refreshed after a dominant opening four weeks of the 2018 WAFL season with West Perth the next to try to take it up to the Lions at Leederville Oval on Saturday.

Subiaco couldn’t have possibly been any more dominant in the opening four rounds of the season before the bye last week winning the four matches by an average of 89.5 points to remain the only undefeated team left in the competition.

The Lions have now had the week off to freshen up to get ready for West Perth at Leederville Oval on Saturday.

West Perth will come into the game with confidence, though, following wins against Swan Districts and Perth, but taking it up to Subiaco will take something special from the Falcons.

However, ahead of the State game break, it's a big game for both clubs. If Subiaco is able to deliver another strong showing, they will remain unbackable premiership favourites while if West Perth can pull off the upset they will announce themselves as genuine contenders in 2018 as well.

Subiaco couldn’t have possibly been any better in the opening four rounds beating East Perth by 118 points, South Fremantle by 58, Swan Districts by 96 and Claremont by 86 prior to the bye last weekend.

West Perth, meanwhile, started the season beating Claremont by 18 points before losing to East Perth by 58 points and South Fremantle by eight. But the Falcons have responded well since then defeating Swan Districts by 31 points and Perth by 62 points.

Subiaco has won the last four games against West Perth by an average of 39 points.

The Falcons' last win over the Lions came in Round 10, 2016 while going back further Subiaco has won seven of the past eight against West Perth.

It has been a remarkably dominant opening four games by Subiaco against the Royals, Bulldogs, Swans and Tigers. They have scored an average of 145.8 points a game while conceding just the 56.3 points.

Subiaco have kicked 88 goals on the season with the next best by any team being the 69 kicked by East Perth.

They have outscored their four opponents by 54 points in first quarters, 70 points in second quarters, 92 points in third quarters and 142 points in last terms.

Even their goalkicking accuracy has been impressive with them scoring 88.50 on the season with five rushed behinds.

Subiaco has also averaged the most disposals at 373 a game with their opponents only collecting 303.

Despite all that, West Perth has had an impressive last two weeks beating Swan Districts and Perth by a combined 93 points.

Over those two games they have averaged a score of 104.5 points and 386 possessions in two dominant performances.

Over the course of the season, the Falcons have been impressive in first and third quarters especially outscoring their opponents by 67 points in first quarters and 56 points in third terms. However, in second quarters they have been outscored by 30 points and by 48 points in last quarters.

Subiaco has some strong inclusions from the team that beat Claremont back in Round 4 on a Thursday night at Leederville Oval, 16 days ago by the time they hit the field to take on West Perth.

Scott Hancock and Craig Hoskins have been added to the squad to face the Falcons in what would be their first appearances of the season with Daniel Perkins and Braden Fimmano added to the squad. Hayden Kennedy will return after being a late withdrawal against Claremont as well.

Nick Menegola goes out of the Subiaco team along with the suspended Josh Deluca.

West Perth has put in two strong performances the past two weeks and made do with a makeshift ruck combination last week against Perth led by Michael Lourey, But Chris Keunen will return to face Subiaco on Saturday and lock horns with Zac Clarke and Lachlan Delahunty.

Steve Potente could potentially come in following one game back in the reserves and if he is selected it will be his 100th WAFL appearance.

Mitch Peirce and Scott Nelson have also been added to the squad for the Falcons with Tyson Moulton going out after kicking three goals against the Demons.

SUBIACO (4-0, 1st) v WEST PERTH (3-2, 3rd) – LEEDERVILLE OVAL, SATURDAY 2.15PM
Selected teams, live stats 
Broadcast – HFM (107.3FM), Footy Radio