Match Report – Lions snatch win from TigersSunday, August 8, 2021 - 11:22 AM - by Chris Pike

SUBIACO just refused to be beaten from any position and despite trailing all afternoon against Claremont at Revo Fitness Stadium on Saturday, the Lions snatched a dramatic win thanks to Ben Sokol's sixth goal.

It is the second time this season that Subiaco has found a way to pull out a win having appeared in a losing position against a fellow finals bound team, and Saturday's result could end up being crucial for both the Lions and Tigers with a month of the home and away season remaining.

Claremont had slipped to third position on the back of a surprise loss to East Perth last Sunday but the Tigers looked to have responded in the best possible way on track to knock off Subiaco at Revo Fitness Stadium on Saturday.

Claremont shot out of the blocks desperate to stay in the top two race this season with the Tigers kicking the first five goals of the game.

They remained on top most of the afternoon and were still 23 points on top of Subiaco late in the third quarter, and 17 points up by three quarter-time.

When big man Timm House kicked his third goal at the 17-minute mark of the fourth quarter, Claremont was back on top by 13 points and had appeared to have done enough, but Subiaco just refused to lie down.

Nick Martin got the Lions back within seven points, Ben Sokol then made it a one-point ball game and ultimately he nailed his sixth goal of the afternoon at the 25-minute mark to put the Lions in front for the very first time of the day.

Subiaco held on for the 14.9 (93) to 13.10 (88) victory from there with it a fifth win in-a-row for the Lions who improve to a 12-3 record on the season a game and percentage clear on top of the ladder.

It's going to take a couple of losses in their last three games now for Subiaco to miss out on securing the minor premiership while Claremont is locked in a battle over third spot now falling a game and percentage behind the second placed South Fremantle.

Not only did Ben Sokol kick the game's last two goals to be the match-winner for Subiaco, but he finished for six on the afternoon to go with 10 kicks and eight marks to give him 36 goals on the season to be third in the Bernie Naylor Medal race.

Nick Martin continued his impressive form as well up forward for Subiaco with another three goals from nine kicks and six marks while Michael Braut chipped in with two goals.

Greg Clark continued his remarkable career-best season as well for Subiaco and could well have earned more Sandover Medal votes with 30 possessions, 12 tackles, six inside 50s and five marks.

Lachlan Delahunty made a welcome return for the Lions too and the Sandover Medallist produced 23 disposals and 25 hit outs with Leigh Kitchin racking up 21 touches, Chad Harris 20, Hayden Kennedy 19, Harry Marsh 19 and Wil Hickmott 19.

Meanwhile, Liam Hickmott had a significant impact by limiting Claremont superstar Jye Bolton to just the 11 possessions for the afternoon in a run-with role.

Timm House showed why Claremont was so keen to get him back to the club to provide a tall target in attack and he delivered three goals from 14 possessions and seven marks in just his second league game of the season.

Alex Manuel also kicked three goals for the Tigers, Callan England two and Jake Patmore two.

Bailey Rogers amassed another 28 possessions for Claremont but could only manage three behinds while former captain, Sandover Medallist and dual premiership star Kane Mitchell returned from his demotion with 26 touches, 11 tackles and five inside-50 entries.

Max Spyvee also finished with 20 disposals for Claremont, Jason Carter 19, Jack Lewsey 18 and impressive young ruckman Steven Miller 18 to go with 28 hit outs and eight entries inside the forward 50 as he gave the Lions some headaches especially early.

Claremont has now lost two in-a-row for the first time this season and will be desperate to bounce back next Saturday against Perth at Mineral Resources Park while Subiaco will look to make it 10 against East Fremantle at Leederville Oval.

OPTUS WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 18

CLAREMONT            6.6    9.6    12.9    13.10 (88)
SUBIACO            2.1    7.3    10.4    14.9 (93)

CLAREMONT: Goals – House, Manuel 3; England, Patmore 2; Bolton, Spyvee, Miller.
Best – Mitchell, Miller, Rogers, Spyvee, House, Carter, Manuel, Lewsey.
SUBIACO: Goals – Sokol 6; Martin 3; Braut 2; Walters, Hickmott, Brandon Matera.
Best – Clark, Sokol, Delahunty, Harris, L Hickmott, Heal, Kitchin, Martin.