WAFL Second Semi-Final Results

SUBIACO is one win away from a remarkable second WAFL premiership hat-trick in a decade after beating South Fremantle by 40 points in Sunday’s second semi-final at Medibank Stadium.

Coming off winning the last two WAFL premierships on the back of three straight flags in 2006, 2007 and 2008, Subiaco is into the 2016 WAFL Grand Final with a victory at Domain Stadium on Sunday September 25 to deliver another hat-trick.

Subiaco was coming off a bye in Round 23 and then a break in the opening week of the finals, but the Lions delivered a stunning patch of eight unanswered goals either side of three quarter-time to set up the eventual 14.12 (96) to 9.2 (56) victory.

While the win puts Subiaco into another Grand Final, South Fremantle will now host next Sunday’s preliminary final against Peel Thunder at Fremantle Community Bank Oval with a spot in the decider against the Lions on the line.

It took until just before half-time for either side to manage to kick consecutive goals. South Fremantle got on the board first thanks to Blaine Johnson before Subiaco immediately responded through Clancy Wheeler.

Bernie Naylor Medallist Ben Saunders again put the Bulldogs in front drilling a goal from outside 50 before the Lions again replied through Leigh Kitchin. South Fremantle went into quarter-time three points up after Johnson managed to kick his second.

Wayde Twomey was celebrating his 150th WAFL game and he put Subiaco back in front with a goal to start the second term but again South Fremantle responded through Steven Edwards at the 19-minute mark to be back in front by a point.

Subiaco, however, kicked the last two goals of the opening half firstly through Wheeler and then with Liam Ryan goaling on the siren as the Lions opened up a 13-point advantage.

South Fremantle opened the goal scoring in the third term with Saunders goaling at the 10-minute mark to make the margin five points, but the Bulldogs had missed several gettable opportunities and would soon be made to pay.

With the game on the line, Subiaco went up a gear and delivered a stunning burst for 12 minutes kicking six goals to go from being just five points in front to 42 at three quarter-time.

Ryan caught fire for the Lions kicking two goals in a minute with Brad Stevenson, Rhys Waters, Kyal Horsley and finally Brett Robinson all kicking truly.

Subiaco continued that momentum in the last term with early goals to Stevenson and Ryan as the lead blew out to 55 points. South Fremantle kicked four of the game’s last five goals but Subiaco still managed to win comfortably by 40 points.

Ryan ended up with four goals for Subiaco from 10 possessions and seven marks. Wheeler also booted three majors from 18 touches, four marks and 12 hit outs with Stevenson adding two goals form 16 disposals and nine marks.

Lachlan Delahunty returned for his first league game since Round 13 and was impressive with 25 possessions, six marks and 24 hit outs.

Subiaco’s midfield was terrific led by Leigh Kitchin who amassed 35 possessions while Chris Phelan gathered 25 disposals and Kyal Horsley 22.

The Lions back-line also proved strong with Declan Jackson keeping Mason Shaw scoreless while Joel Latham had 18 possessions while limiting the impact of South Fremantle captain Ryan Cook.

South Fremantle ruckman Brock Higgins did a power of work ending up with 19 possessions, five tackles, four marks and 43 hit outs.

Blaine Johnson and Ben Saunders both kicked three goals apiece up forward for the Bulldogs.

Marlion Pickett had his hands full with Ryan in defence for South Fremantle but he did play well himself ending up with 24 disposals and seven marks. Josh Pullman and Blayne Wilson were also strong defensively for the Bulldogs.

South Fremantle did miss the suspended Ashton Hams through the middle but Tim Kelly worked hard for 30 possessions while Steven Verrier finished with 20 disposals, Shane Hockey 19 and Jacob Dragovich 18.

The colts second semi-final took place at HBF Arena on Sunday morning with Claremont beating Perth 16.11 (107) to 6.7 (43).

The win sees the Tigers advance straight through to a fourth straight colts grand final having won premierships in 2013 and 2015, and losing to Swan Districts in 2014.

Perth will now move into the preliminary final next Sunday against East Perth who beat South Fremantle in the first semi-final at Medibank Stadium.

Perth finished on top of the ladder to earn the week off in the opening round of the finals while Claremont won through to the second semi-final by beating South Fremantle last Saturday in the qualifying final at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

The Tigers continued that momentum on Sunday against the Demons kicking eight goals to two in the first half and another eight to four in the second before going on to win by 64 points.

Jake Waterman was outstanding for Claremont with four goals from 18 possessions and 10 marks.

Callan England, James Egan and Jacob Sideris all kicked two goals apiece for the Tigers as well.

Matt Guelfi finished with 33 possessions, Bailey Banfield 31, Sam Petrevski-Seton 25, Sideris 24, Jack Blaauw 24, Jake Patmore 23, Tom Lawrence 20, Bailey Bennett 20 and Chris Oakley 19.

Perth still has another chance to get through to the grand final despite the heavy loss with Blake Johnson kicking two of the six goals.