Round 23 Sunday WAFL ResultsSunday, August 31, 2014 - 7:30 PM - by Chris Pike

SUBIACO kicked the only four goals of the final quarter to secure a 25-point win over East Fremantle at Medibank Stadium on Saturday but the Sharks were just able to avoid losing by too much to cough up a home first semi-final next week.

East Fremantle needed to avoid losing by more than six goals in the last home and away match of the 2014 WAFL season, and the Sharks achieved that but only just with Subiaco ending up winning 12.9 (81) to 8.8 (56) thanks to a dominant final quarter.

East Fremantle will now host Swan Districts in a cut-throat first semi-final at its home ground of ATOM Stadium next Sunday.

Subiaco on the other hand was always going to remain in second position no matter the result on Sunday, but the Lions did not want to head into next Sunday's second semi-final at Medibank Stadium against East Perth on the back of three straight losses.

The Lions also had the added motivation with the presence of the majority of their 2004 premiership players and coach Peter German who were celebrating the reunion of their success of a decade ago.

Full-back Darren Rumble was the only player still playing who was there 10 years ago and the Subiaco team of today managed to end up winning by 25 points to gear up for next week's clash with the Royals with a grand final berth up for grabs.

Subiaco did come into the game without Chris Deluca, George Hampson, Andrew McDougall and Chris Phelan but were again led in outstanding fashion by captain Kyal Horsley who finished with 35 possessions and a goal.

Wayde Twomey was also one of the few players on the ground to use the ball well with his 29 disposals while Justin Joyce collected 28 disposals for the Lions to go with seven inside-50 entries and six tackles.

Jason Bristow worked hard for Subiaco on the ball as well with 26 possessions and six tackles while Shaun Hildebrandt finished with 22 disposals and Clancy Wheeler 19 to go with 15 hit outs.

Brad Stevenson played his first league game since Round 12 and was a strong contributor at centre half-back with 20 possessions and seven marks.

Up the other end, Shane Yarran and Matt Boland kicked three goals apiece while Lachlan Delahunty returned in impressive fashion with 17 disposals, nine marks and a terrific final quarter goal.

Brock O'Brien led the way for East Fremantle across half-back with 32 possessions and a long goal. Rory O'Brien also had 28 disposals for the Sharks, Bradd Dalziell 27, Mark McGough 25, Tyler Chalwell 20 and Danny Chartres 19 to go with 18 hit outs and two goals.

East Fremantle's back-line held up well despite the loss led by Tom Howlett with 23 possessions, Steven Dodd 22 and Andrew Stephen 16.

It took almost 10 minutes for the first goal of the game and that came to Subiaco courtesy of the returning Yarran but East Fremantle responded soon after with a free-kick and goal to Jack Perham.

Subiaco's Josh Deluca and then East Fremantle's Chalwell added first quarter goals to have scores tied up at the first change, but it was hardly inspiring football between two teams heading towards the finals.

Neither side improved much in the early parts of the second quarter but Chartres did kick a good goal to give the Sharks their first lead of the afternoon.

Two goals in three minutes for the Lions thanks to Charles Le Fanu and Yarran then put Subiaco up again by a goal, and the Lions' lead was then 12 points as they threatened to open up a handy advantage when Boland kicked his first of the day.

However, two quick goals to the Sharks just before half-time thanks to Brett Peake and Michael Edwards brought the scores level again at the main break.

Subiaco came out and kicked the first two goals of the third quarter through Frank Stockley and Boland to open up a 10-point advantage, but East Fremantle hit back with the next three to lead by eight points after a 60-metre bomb on the run from Brock O'Brien.

The Lions stayed in touch, though, with Yarran booting his third goal just before three quarter-time with the margin two points at the final change.

The game was right up for grabs heading into the final quarter but it was dominated by Subiaco with Horsley, Boland, Ryan Wade and Delahunty all adding goals as the Lions cruised to the 25-point victory.

ROUND 23 SUNDAY WAFL RESULTS
LEAGUE
Subiaco 12.9 (81) defeated East Fremantle 8.8 (56)

RESERVES    
Subiaco 24.9 (153) defeated East Fremantle 7.3 (45)

COLTS
Subiaco 11.11 (77) defeated East Fremantle 6.7 (43)