Match Report – Swans end Lions drought by a pointSaturday, June 26, 2021 - 10:21 PM - by Matt Paddick

SIX years ago was the last time Swan Districts knocked off Subiaco and the margin was a point that day, and it was again a one-point victory on Saturday for the black-and-whites against the Lions.

Subiaco has dominated the WAFL in recent years and Swan Districts has bore the brunt of that with the Lions winning their last 12 games against Swans by an average margin of almost 50 points.

The last time Swan Districts beat Subiaco it was by a point back in Round 20, 2015 and the Lions still went on to win the premiership that year while Swans had also not won against their foes at Leederville Oval in their last seven attempts.

That all changed at Leederville Oval on Saturday with Swan Districts defeating Subiaco for the first time in six years with the eventual 7.12 (54) to 8.5 (53) triumph that was almost snatched from them.

Swan Districts midfielder Jesse Turner was prolific in the contest with a game-high 27 disposals while Brandon Erceg was a key cog in defence all day with 19 disposals and seven marks.

For the Lions, captain Leigh Kitchin gave it his all with 25 touches and eight tackles, while young forward Nick Martin was impressive with three goals.

After both teams conceded losses last round, both were fired up to get back on the winner’s list.

Swan Districts looked to make an impact early, having four scoring shots to zero in the first five minutes, but they were all minor scores.

Swans were able to break the drought in the tenth minute, where Aidan Clarke put through the first major of the game.

Subiaco were able to respond in quick time, as milestone man Ben Sokol snapped around the corner truly to steady the ship for the Lions.

Swans kicked the next off the boot of Jiah Reidy, before the contest started to tighten up, where they took a nine-point lead into quarter-time.

Subiaco looked to fight back in the second term, but their intensity was matched by Swan Districts.

It all looked to be going the Swans way when Clarke was in the action again, as he sent the ball through the big sticks from outside 50.

While Lions forward Martin was able to put through two goals to try to get the game back on the home side’s terms, Jesse Palmer and Warwick Wilson had other ideas.

Both men kicked truly, in the term to give the Swans a 16-point lead at the main break.

Swan Districts continued their pressure in the second half, where they looked to have more urgency at the football.

The Swans had five scoring shots in the term, but were only able to put one goal on the board. 

Their inaccuracy left the door open for Subiaco to work themselves back into the game, as they kicked back-to-back goals towards the end of the term from former Docker Brandon Matera and Michael Braut.

This left a 13-point margin in favour of the Swans at three quarter-time, with the momentum behind the Lions to set up an exciting final term.

Martin kicked truly early in the quarter, after receiving a 50m penalty, to bring the margin down to seven points.

It was back and forth from there, as neither team was able to break the game open.

Both teams felt the pressure, as there was no clean ball to be won throughout the quarter. 

Swans struck an important blow when Lachlan Riley laid a big tackle on Wil Hickmott halfway through the term, where he kicked from beyond the arc to stretch their lead to 14 points.

Subiaco refused to give in, with the majority of play in their forward half.

The returning Max Walters snapped one through in the 17th minute to give the Lions a boost. 

The game was on a knife’s edge for the remainder of the game, with neither team willing to give an inch.

Subiaco captain Kitchin received a free kick inside 50, and kicked truly, but it was too late as the Swans held on for the one-point victory.

RILEY STANDS UP IN BIG MOMENT
When Subiaco winger Wil Hickmott had the ball in the defensive 50 midway through the last quarter, the Lions were looking to surge forward. Enter Lachlan Riley. He put in a huge effort to chase down Hickmott and caught him holding the ball. He then had a set shot from outside the 50 awaiting him. The 15-gamer showed nerves beyond his years, as he kicked it truly. It was a spectacular moment, and proved to be the difference in the tight contest.

SOKOL, ROHDE TON UP IN THE WAFL
Congratulations to Subiaco spearhead Ben Sokol and reliable defender Drew Rohde, who both played their 100th WAFL games. Originally from South Fremantle, Sokol has become a star with Subiaco with the 25-year-old having won the Bernie Naylor and Simpson Medals, but most importantly has two premierships to his name. He has kicked 215 goals in his career. Rohde, meanwhile, has also played in two premierships since joining Subiaco from West Perth and reached 100 WAFL games on Saturday as the dual premiership player continues to be a rock in the Lions back-line.

SWANS BREAK SIX YEAR DROUGHT
Back in Round 20 of 2015, on August 8, was the last time Swan Districts were victorious against Subiaco. A time where names like Sam Menegola and Nathan Broad were still plying their trade in the WAFL before being drafted to their respective AFL clubs. Their win on Saturday breaks a 12-game losing streak against the Lions, and seven straight against them at Leederville Oval, and will no doubt give them a lot of hope for the rest of the 2021 season.

OPTUS WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 12

SUBIACO            1.1    3.3    5.4    8.5 (53)
SWAN DISTRICTS        2.4    5.7    6.11    7.12 (54)

SUBIACO: Goals – Martin 3; Kitchin, Walters, Sokol, Braut, Brandon Matera.
Best – Kitchin, Marsh, Martin, Harris, Delahunty, W Hickmott, Clark.
SWAN DISTRICTS: Goals – Clarke, Reidy 2; Palmer, Riley, Wilson.
Best – Turner, Fisher, Cipro, Anderson, Notte, Erceg, Bain.