Subiaco send ominous message with second pre-season win

SUBIACO has recorded its second straight WAFL pre-season victory with the reigning premiers thumping Perth by 104 points on Saturday with West Perth, Swan Districts and Claremont also recording victories.

Following a first-up 30-point win over South Fremantle last Friday night to open the pre-season fixtures, Subiaco again sent a statement of how seriously they are in attempting to make it back-to-back premierships with a 20.17 (137) to 5.3 (33) win over Perth at Lathlain Park on Saturday.

It was a full round of WAFL pre-season fixtures on Saturday with West Perth also beating East Fremantle 14.12 (96) to 4.5 (29) at East Fremantle’s ATOM Stadium, Swan Districts defeating Peel Thunder 12.6 (78) to 8.7 (55) at Bassendean’s Steel Blue Oval and Claremont downing East Perth 11.9 (75) to 7.3 (45) at Leederville’s Medibank Stadium.

It was a commanding performance by Subiaco on Saturday and it was some of the Lions’ new arrivals that were most impressive.

Subiaco does need to replace Simpson Medallist Jason Bristow, Andrew McDougall and Josh Deluca from last year’s premiership team, and also Frank Stockley who has suffered a season-ending knee injuries.

However, the Lions have done well at the recruiting table and former Swan Districts and East Fremantle midfielders respectively, Brett Robinson and Scott Hancock, were particularly impressive in their performances against Perth on Saturday.

Lachlan Delahunty was one addition to the team that beat South Fremantle last Friday and he formed a potent forward-line alongside Matt Boland and Kyle Halligan in the eventual 104-point win.

However, with McDougall having retired and Stockley injured, Subiaco’s ruck department is the one area with a question mark over it coming into the 2015 season but once again David Madut showed strong seasons in his second pre-season hit out as the No. 1 ruckman.

The final pre-season fixtures take place this weekend with South Fremantle playing East Perth on Friday night at Fremantle Oval before on Saturday, East Fremantle faces Perth, Swan Districts hosts West Perth and Peel Thunder takes on Claremont.

WAFL PRE-SEASON FIXTURES
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 27
Subiaco 12.8 (80) defeated South Fremantle 7.8 (50), Medibank Stadium

SATURDAY MARCH 7
Perth 5.3 (33) lost to Subiaco 20.17 (137), Lathlain Park
East Fremantle 4.5 (29) lost to West Perth 14.12 (96), ATOM Stadium
Swan Districts 12.6 (78) defeated Peel Thunder 8.7 (55), Steel Blue Oval
East Perth 7.3 (45) lost to Claremont 11.9 (75), Medibank Stadium

FRIDAY MARCH 13
South Fremantle v East Perth, Fremantle Oval 7.30pm

SATURDAY MARCH 14
East Fremantle v Perth, ATOM Stadium 2.15pm
Swan Districts v West Perth, Steel Blue Oval 2.15pm
Peel Thunder v Claremont, Bendigo Bank Stadium 2.15pm