WAFLW: Lions keep momentum going with win over Falcons

Tuesday, May 24, 2022 - 8:52 AM by Matt Paddick

Subiaco have continued their recent form, with a 35-point win over West Perth at Leederville Oval on Sunday May 22.

In wet conditions, Subiaco weathered the early flurry from the Falcons and dominated from there.

Their effort and intensity kept West Perth scoreless from the second term onwards, leading them to the 6.6 (42) to 1.1 (7) win.

The conditions suited Jayme Harken, who was in the thick of the contest all day with a game-high 33 disposals and seven inside 50s.

Meanwhile, captain Tarni Golisano was influential and was constantly putting on pressure, with 25 touches and a whopping 15 tackles.

Subiaco in honour of the WAFL’s Indigenous Round wore a guernsey designed by the club’s own Iesha Farmer, where it outlined the significance of culture, and the connection to land and water.

It was a wet contest throughout the day, with both sides struggling at times for clean possession.

It was the Falcons who were able to get ahead early, kicking the first of the day.

From there, Subiaco looked for more ascendancy in the contest.

Repeat entries inside 50 gave an opportunity for Hanna Dethlefsen to take a mark inside 50, and made no mistake in front of goal to give the Lions their first.

It meant West Perth took a one-point advantage into quarter time.

The rain was well and truly pouring during the second term, and the Lions adjusted to the conditions faster than their opponents. 

Getting the ball as deep inside 50 as possible became the trend, as Subiaco put their authority on the contest.

Dethlefsen showed her roving abilities, crumbing a ball in the hotspot and snapping for her second goal of the match.

But the moment of the quarter, and perhaps the moment of the game came when Nyra Anderson gave up the chance for a goal, instead passing it off to the debutant in Farmer who kicked truly for her first goal for the Lions.

It helped Subiaco to a 13-point lead at the main break.

At times during the match, Leederville Oval resembled more of a swimming pool rather than a footy ground. 

It didn’t seem to bother the Lions however, who kept the pressure on the Falcons.

The surging Lions kept the ball inside their forward half, and kept the West Perth defenders on their toes.

Kate Pocsidio chased down Claire Norbury with a great tackle, and slotted the goal to extend Subiaco’s lead to 20 points at three quarter time.

In the last, Subiaco continued to hit the scoreboard to seek a much needed percentage booster.

In the action was Dethlefsen, who was awarded a free kick and kicked truly for her third major of the match.

West Perth struggled to get it past the halfway point of the ground, a credit to the Subiaco defensive pressure.

Abbey Dowrick found the goals late to give her side the 35-point win and made it three wins in a row for the Lions.

It capped off a great round of football for Subiaco, with the Rogers Cup side winning a one-point thriller earlier in the day against the Falcons.

For Subiaco the next three weeks will be crucial if the side is to feature in post-season action, with a tough challenge coming first in the form of East Fremantle at New Choice Homes Park.

SUBIACO        1.0    3.2    4.3    6.6    (42)
WEST PERTH    1.1    1.1    1.1    1.1    (7)

Goals: Dethlefsen 3; Dowrick, Farmer, Pocsidio.
Best: Harken, Golisano, Dethlefsen, Dowrick.