Season Flashback - 10 Games that Led to 2017 Grand Final

Thursday, September 21, 2017 - 10:15 AM
After a successful home and away season, Subiaco has qualified for its fourth consecutive Grand Final berth with attention set on lifting a 14th premiership on Sunday.
 
Across the season there were a number of games that proved to be pivotal to Subiaco firstly winning the minor premiership and then making it through to the WAFL decider.
 
10. Subiaco V Perth – Round 2
Subiaco’s first six quarters of the season had been well below their usual lofty standards. After losing to South Fremantle in round one, Subiaco trailed Perth in round two and was staring at an 0-2 start to the season. The first open and honest chat of the season at half time of the round 2 clash was the catalyst for a strong second half as Subiaco officially started what would end up being an 19 game winning run.
 
9. Subiaco V Peel – Round 4
Nothing can replace the heartache of premiership loss, but it was still nice to be able to beat Peel in the Grand Final rematch back in round four. A mixture of veterans in Kyal Horsley, Chris Phelan and Wayde Twomey combined with newer faces in Rowen Powell, Ben Sokol and Max Walters to help spearhead a hard fought 16 point win.
 
8. Subiaco V East Perth – Round 5
After an indifferent first month of the season, Subiaco showed that it still had the skill and talent to be a major threat in 2017 as they thrashed rivals East Perth by 89 points in a Good Friday Massacre.
 
7. Subiaco V West Perth – Round 15
It was another memorable occasion as Subiaco travelled up to Joondalup in Round 15 to take on heated rivals West Perth. This special occasion saw Jarrad Schofield join a select group to play and coach the Subiaco Football Club in 100 games. On a soggy waterlogged Arena Joondalup, Subiaco scraped to an 11 point win in a game where only 10 goals were scored.
 
6. Subiaco V Swan Districts – Round 20
It was not Subiaco’s best performance of the season, nor was it much of a match. However the win over Swans in round 20 was significant in that it helped secure the minor premiership for Subiaco. With three of the six teams winning the premiership from top spot in a final five system, getting this advantage was crucial for the Lions.
 
5. Subiavo V Peel – Round 11
In another classic battle between two well matched and versed teams; Subiaco stole a late victory with a memorable four point win in Mandurah. After a match that was built on momentum of the battling teams, Peel seemed to have clawed to victory leading with less than a minute to go. Enter Kyal Horsley whose last minute stoppage snap, saw Subiaco claim its narrowest win of the season.
 
4. Subiaco V South Fremantle – Round 9
It was a top of the table blockbuster at Leederville Oval in Round 9 as the top placed South Fremantle travelled to play Subiaco in what was captain Kyal Horsley’s 150th match. Spurred by their inspirational leader, Subiaco were never going to let down the skipper as they started fast and held firm powering to an impressive win. This win saw Subiaco claim top spot and they held the top place throughout the remainder of the season on route to the 2017 minor premiership.
 
3. Subiaco V East Perth – Round 23
A lot has been made of the AFL aligned clubs of East Perth and Peel throughout the 2017 season, and indeed the WAFL finals may have looked very different if East Perth had beaten Subiaco in the final home and away round. Beating East Perth and effectively knocking an AFL squad out of the WAFL finals has proven to be a pivotal moment of the season allowing Subiaco to regroup from a semi final loss and make it through to the 2017 Grand Final.
 
2. Subiaco V East Fremantle – Round 10
In a season where Subiaco has been constantly hit by injuries to key personnel, it seems eerily fitting that the build up to the 2017 Grand Final by Subiaco has been dominated by the possibility of a returning great. Over the past six weeks Subiaco has seen key movers Kyal Horsley, Clancy Wheeler and Kyle Halligan return from injury. These three have successfully returned with now attention on whether Chris Phelan can play his first game since game 150 in round 10 when he was injured against East Fremantle.
 
1. Subiaco V South Fremantle – Preliminary Final
Subiaco’s season went on the line last weekend in a go on or go home clash with South Fremantle. Subiaco were jumped by South Fremantle early, but a dazzling first half burst by Liam Ryan helped propel Subiaco back to the ascendancy at half time. With the Subiaco midfield getting on top, the defence rock solid and the forward line making the most of their chances, Subiaco powered away with attention fixing firmly on Grand Final week.