WAFLW: Lions too strong for young Falcons

Subiaco have flexed their muscles in a comprehensive 68-point win over West Perth at Provident Financial Oval on Sunday March 27.

Coming off the bye, Subiaco were hoping to stamp their authority on the competition, and looked classy against a young Falcons outfit.

The battle was won in the midfield and captain Tarni Golisano was in the thick of the action gathering 25 disposals and seven tackles, while Tess Lyons was dominant in the ruck with 24 hit outs.

Up forward Hayley Corlett continued her good form with three goals, while Madison Dodd was strong off half back.

Subiaco were hungry to play the match on their terms, and played with intent from the start.

The pressure was high from the Lions, and the inside 50s kept coming, but the Falcons backline had it under control early.

It was forward Nyra Anderson who broke the drought, spinning out of trouble and snapping on her right foot to get Subiaco their first goal of the match.

Shortly after, Ellie Blackmore found space and steadied herself, before putting it through for a major.

Subiaco continued to look dangerous, but skills let them down as the ball was turned over inside forward 50 on a few occasions.

Late in the quarter, Caitlin Walker suffered an injury to her right leg after she was caught in a tackle, and did not take part in the rest of the match.

Subiaco were able to keep the Falcons scoreless for the quarter, and led by 14 points at the first break.

It was more of the same from Subiaco in the second term, as they looked to put the game away early.

It didn’t come easy however, as West Perth looked to intercept as soon as Subiaco entered the forward 50.

Blackmore was in the action again, hitting a target inside 50 before Hayley Corlett took a mark within range and kicked truly.

Subiaco maintained the majority of possession, but were not able to put on the scoreboard pressure they would have liked.

They were able to keep the Falcons at bay however, conceding just the solitary behind in the quarter.

A highlight came when debutant Jess Pillera showed her speed, storming down the wing to get the ball forward.

Her pace came in handy later, as she beat her opponent in a foot race to the ball to kick it through for her first goal as a Lion.

The Wembley product caught fire soon after, finding the goals from 30 metres out right before the half-time siren to put Subiaco up by 33 points.

The Lions were able to continue their game style after the main break, as they looked to control the pace of the game.

It didn’t always work, with the Falcons able to get out the back on one occasion with West Perth’s Elissa Price able to dribble it in for their first goal of the game.

The Lions were relentless from there.

Once midfielder Jayme Harken navigated her way through traffic to snap through a goal, Subiaco looked unstoppable.

Four goals were kicked in a row, including two off the boot of Corlett, to put the Lions 55 points ahead at three quarter time.

With much of the sting taken out of the game, both teams had a drop off in intensity in the last.

West Perth were able to kick a second major, with Chloe Shearing able to find space in their forward 50.

However, a response came from Subiaco, who were able to get the ball to forward Dhana Lee twice in a short amount of time, who converted for goal on both occasions.

In the end, Subiaco claimed the 68-point victory, in what they hope is a kickstarter for their season.

In the Rogers Cup, Subiaco were unable to overcome West Perth and took a 25-point loss, while the reserves had a tough 61-point defeat to East Fremantle.

Subiaco will return to Leederville Oval next week when they take on East Fremantle on Sunday April 3.

WEST PERTH    0.0    0.1    1.1    2.1      (13)
SUBIACO           2.2    5.4    9.8    12.9    (81)

Goals: Corlett 3; Lee, Pillera 2; Anderson, Blackmore, Dethlefsen, Harken, Pocsidio.