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Round 8 Match Report – Perth v SubiacoMonday, May 28, 2018 - 8:55 AM - by Chris Pike
ALL signs pointed towards Subiaco having another day out at Lathlain Park on Saturday but nobody told Perth that with the Demons pushing them all the way before the Lions prevailed to the tune of 40 points.
Subiaco had recorded such dominant wins in five of their six matches to start the 2018 WAFL season and having an average winning margin of 90 points against East Perth, South Fremantle, Swan Districts, Claremont and Peel Thunder.
Only West Perth had been able to take it right up to Subiaco with the Lions only beating the Falcons by 22 points, but after a 92-point win against Peel Thunder in Mandurah last Saturday it did appear the Demons had their work cut out.
However, Perth had snatched a win against Claremont itself last Saturday and came into the clash with some confidence and didn’t drop their heads even when Subiaco led by three goals at quarter-time.
The Demons kept fighting and by the time Anton Scotney kicked truly to open the last quarter it was a two-point ball game.
But Subiaco showed its quality and responded with seven goals in succession to set up the 15.12 (102) to 9.8 (62) victory.
The win is Subiaco's seventh straight to start the 2018 season and it's a fourth straight victory against Perth and an 11th in the past 12 meetings with the Demons for the Lions.
Perth might have lost and slipped to a 2-5 record on the season but it's a performance coach Earl Spalding should take great heart out of.
Chris Phelan had a monster first quarter for Subiaco and carried on to have a standout afternoon finishing with 31 possessions, eight inside 50s, five tackles and two goals.
Captain Kyal Horsley continued his remarkable form with another 33 possessions, nine inside-50 entries and a goal for Subiaco as well while Lachlan Delahunty was superb wherever he played racking up 27 disposals, four marks and 24 hit outs.
Zac Clarke also had a big game in the ruck with 48 hit outs to go with 14 disposals, five marks and a goal as Perth sorely missed the injured Christian Eyres.
Subiaco once again had plenty of options in attack with Ben Sokol, Brad Stevenson, Clancy Wheeler and Rhys Waters all kicking two goals apiece.
Leigh Kitchin also picked up 21 possessions for the Lions, Scott Hancock 16, Aaron Heal 16 (seven marks, four tackles), Max Walters 15 and Drew Rohde 14.
Perth captain Clint Jones battled hard in the midfield once again and ended the afternoon with 26 possessions, nine tackles and four inside-50 entries.
Brant Colledge also found some impressive form for the Demons with 26 disposals, nine inside 50s, seven tackles, five marks and a goal.
Ben Giobbi also gathered 16 touches for Perth, Mitch Lague 15, Cody Leggett 15, Corey Yeo 14 (six tackles), Kristian Cary 14 and Clayton Giblett 14.
Cody Ninyette and Anton Scotney both kicked two goals apiece as well for Perth.
Considering the way Subiaco had taken all before it over the opening six matches of the season, the signs were ominous early when the Lions kicked the opening two goals through Chris Phelan and Braden Fimmano.
But Perth did well to get one back through Corey Byrne before the Lions booted the last two majors of the first term thanks to Drew Rohde and Phelan again to see Subiaco 18 points up at the first change.
That left Perth with plenty of work to do to avoid being yet another side to be blown away by Subiaco, but the Demons responded in impressive fashion to make it a real contest.
Perth kicked two early second quarter goals from Cody Ninyette and Brant Colledge to close to within six points. But Subiaco restored its 18-point lead with goals to Brad Stevenson and Max Walters.
However, again the Demons showed great heart with goals to Ninyette and Mitch Browne to be just seven points behind at half-time.
Subiaco once again threatened to kick away to start the third term with two goals to Rhys Waters but once more Perth refused to give in and kicked the last two goals heading into three quarter-time thanks to Kristian Cary and Lachlan Dennis to be within eight points at the final change.
Perth then looked a real chance of the upset with the first goal of the last quarter through Anton Scotney to trail by just two points.
But Subiaco responded to that challenge with goals to Kyal Horsley, Clancy Wheeler, Ben Sokol, Sokol again, Clancy Wheeler, Stevenson and Zac Clarke to kick away with those seven goals in the space of 20 minutes.
Perth did kick the game's last goal through Scotney to cut Subiaco's margin to 40 points but that doesn’t tell the full story of the Demons' competitiveness.
The reserves contest at Lathlain Park saw Subiaco claim a solid 11.18 (84) to 7.9 (51) victory.
Aaron Breman kicked three goals for Subiaco, Ryan Borchet two and Daniel Perkins two.
Craig Hoskins racked up 27 possessions for the Lions, Borchet 18, Daniel Leach 18 (12 tackles), Jack Beverley 17, Kaidyn Fullgrabe 16, Tom Edwards-Baldwin 16 and Travis Cleggett 16.
Michael Bennell kicked two goals for Perth while Lennon Marlin gathered 21 possessions, Devin McFarlane 20, Brad McPhail 19, Callum Marshall 19 and Mitch Henderson 18.
Perth will take heart from the competitive showing against Subiaco heading into this Saturday's clash with the fourth placed Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval.
The undefeated Subiaco has the bye in Round 9 ahead of playing host to East Fremantle at Leederville Oval in Round 10.
PERTH 1.2 5.3 7.6 9.8 (62)
SUBIACO 4.2 6.4 8.8 15.12 (102)
PERTH – Goals: Ninyette, Scotney 2; Byrne, Colledge, Browne, Cary, Dennis.
Best: Phelan, Horsley, Delahunty, Clarke, Wheeler, Heal, Kitchin.
SUBIACO – Goals: Waters, Phelan, Sokol, Stevenson, Wheeler 2; Horsley, Walters, Clarke, Fimmano, Rohde.
Best: Colledge, Jones, Lague, Yeo, Leggett, Giobbi, Ninyette.
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