Match Report – Lions hand Tigers first 2021 defeatSaturday, May 8, 2021 - 8:22 PM - by Alex Ventouras

SUBIACO bounced back from last week’s loss to South Fremantle dominating the undefeated Claremont to win by 48 points at Leederville Oval on Saturday afternoon.

The Tigers looked a shell of the team that has been sitting on top of the ladder, unable to handle Subiaco’s pressure as they slipped to their first defeat of the 2021 Optus WAFL Premiership Season.

The Lions were led by outstanding performances from Sandover Medallist Lachlan Delahunty (29 disposals), Michael Braut (27) and Nick Martin (four goals). 

Lachlan Martinis (26 disposals), Jye Bolton (23) and Alex Manuel (three goals) led the stats sheet for the Tigers. 

Claremont came out of the blocks with Manuel slotting a goal in the opening 40 seconds, however it was all Subiaco from then on out with the next three goals. The Lions could’ve been further up if they’d kicked straighter, finishing with a 15-point lead at the first change.

It was more of the same to start the second term with Martin and Delahunty kicking consecutive goals in the opening couple of minutes, but Claremont were able to wrestle back momentum with a dominant 15-minute patch of play, getting repeat entries inside 50 but were unbale to capitalise with any goals.

For the final 10 minutes of the half the Lions were roaring, piling on five goals, carving up the Tigers defensive structure with elite foot skills and decision-making keeping Claremont to just one major in the first half and boasting a 48-point half-time lead.

Claremont finally broke the hour-long goal drought thanks to Harrison McCracken converting a simple set shot, which was followed shortly by Manuel booting his second for the game and for briefest of moments the Tigers seemed on the cusp of a miracle comeback. 

Subiaco had other plans however, kicking multiple goals to finish the quarter including young forward Jordan Faraone who showed his class with a crafty goal that helped his side go into the final break leading by 50 points.

The final term was an arm wrestle with both sides trading goals as the game opened up thanks to the tiring legs of both teams, but Claremont’s Isaac Barton was a shining light looking dangerous and providing great pressure that was rewarded with a late goal.

BIG-BODIED BRAUT BULLIES TIGERS
In a best on ground performance, Lions defender Michael Braut showed the WAFL world why he’s one of the competitions best defenders. The undersized Tigers forward-line had no answers for the 23-year-old who finished with 27 disposals and 12 marks, many of which were contested. His foot skills and decision-making coming out of the backline were what managed to keep the Tigers goalless when they had a 15-minute passage of forward half dominance.

TIGERS 70 MINUTES OF SILENCE 
After kicking the opening goal in the opening 40 seconds of the game, Claremont were unable to find another goal until the eight-minute mark of the third quarter. The Tigers looked lost when entering the forward 50 often kicking it to an out numbered contest and found themselves having to kick long down the line to Isaac Barton (the smallest man on the field) who would be stuck against two or three Lions’ defenders. Once Anton Hamp was swung forward in the second half it seemed to make their structure look much stronger. 

OPTUS WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 6

SUBIACO            3.5    9.6    12.11    13.16 (94)
CLAREMONT            1.2    1.6    4.9    7.12 (54)

SUBIACO: Goals – Martin 4; Faraone 3; Stainsby, Clark, Borchert, Delahunty, Putt, Heal.
Best – Braut, Faraone, Martin, Clark, Kitchin, Borchet.
CLAREMONT: Goals – Manuel 3; Lim, England, Barton, McCracken.
Best – D Hardisty, England, Edwards, Eastland.