Round 8 Preview – Perth v SubiacoFriday, May 25, 2018 - 3:27 PM - by Chris Pike

PERTH is coming off a high after a one-point win against Claremont but the Demons have a big ask ahead hosting the rampant and undefeated Subiaco at Lathlain Park on Saturday.

Subiaco has been unstoppable so far in the 2018 WAFL season with the team that has played off in the past four Grand Finals barely being challenged across their victories against East Perth, South Fremantle, Swan Districts, Claremont, West Perth and Peel Thunder.

That has the Lions clear on top of the ladder after seven rounds and just about unbackable premiership favourites as they appear on track for a fourth consecutive minor premiership.

None of that is good news for Perth ahead of the Demons hosting the Lions at Lathlain Park on Saturday.

But Perth is coming off the high of a heart stopping victory against Claremont at Claremont Oval last Saturday when they finished strongly to come from behind to win when captain Clint Jones broke a deadlock with a behind with the last kick of the game.

Perth's start to the season with a 2-4 record hasn’t been too bad all things considered but now the real challenge comes in how they can take it up to Subiaco.

The Lions couldn’t have been more dominant over their opening six matches with an average winning margin of 78.7 points against the Royals, Bulldogs, Swans, Tigers, Falcons and Thunder.

Across those six games, Subiaco has kicked an average score of 135.2 points while conceding just 56.5 and have racked up an average of 74.2 disposals a game than their opponents.

The closes any team has got to Subiaco was West Perth's losing margin of 22 points in Round 7 leading into the State game, but the Lions dominated the Thunder in a Grand Final rematch last Saturday winning by 92 points at Bendigo Bank Stadium.

Subiaco hasn’t been quite as dominant in first quarters only outscoring their opponents by 36 points across the six matches. 

But that changes significantly after quarter-time with the Lions outscoring their opposition by 115 points in second terms, 158 points in third quarters and 163 points in final stanzas.

Perth, too, gets better the longer matches go over the course of the season with the Demons outscored by 78 points in first quarters, 52 points in second terms, 13 points in third quarters and only one-point in last terms.

Subiaco has also enjoyed great success against Perth in recent times having won the past three meetings and 10 of the past 11.

The Demons last win against the Lions came in Round 16, 2016 when they won by 15 points at Lathlain Park despite Subiaco going on to reach the Grand Final that year and Perth finish second last.

Perth will welcome back East Perth recruit Mitch Lague to take on Subiaco and he will strengthen the back-line just in time against the Lions. He had played in Round 1 after joining Perth before being sidelined through injury and returning in the reserves last week against Claremont.

Mitch Henderson, Michael Bennell, Anton Scotney and Lennon Marlin are the other players into the Demons squad to face Subiaco on Saturday at Lathlain Park.

While on a six-game winning streak in dominant fashion, Subiaco will unveil its 10th debutant for the 2018 season on Saturday against Perth with McKenzie Lawrence to make his first league appearance.

Michael Braut, Craig Hoskins, Daniel Perkins and Kaidyn Fullgrabe are the other players to come into the squad for the Lions.

Ben Newton is out for Subiaco fresh off 26 possessions and five goals last Saturday in the 92-point win against Peel Thunder with Kyle Halligan also out for the Lions.

PERTH (2-4, 6th) v SUBIACO (6-0, 1st) – LATHLAIN PARK, SATURDAY 2.15PM
Selected teams, live stats 
Broadcast – Noongar Radio, Footy Radio