Match Preview v Perth

Wednesday, June 2, 2021 - 1:04 PM by Alice Miller

In a change of routine, this Thursday, Subiaco will travel to Mineral Resources Park to face Perth for the first time this season. Subi are flying up in top spot just as the Demons are bouncing back after ending their losing streak against West Perth last week. Bouncedown for this clash will be at 6:10pm in chilly but clear expected conditions. 

Keep an eye on Subiaco’s social media channels and app for updates across the day if you cannot make it to the game. 

FORM
The Lions have set up their season in impressive fashion as they sit equal first on the ladder alongside Claremont on six wins. Coming off three wins in a row, two of which have been margins of 40+, Subiaco are primed to keep a good thing going tomorrow. Saturday just gone, Subi continued to cement their spot in the competition as they proved too good for Peel in soggy conditions, having control for the better part of the game and coming out on top for all the stats for the day, bar the hitouts where Peel won 39 to 33. The Lions welcomed back big name in Ben Sokol last week who had a game with 13 touches and three shots at goal, as well as welcoming Brandon Matera into the team with open arms as he got his hands on the ball and kicked his first goal in the maroon and gold. If not already done yet, Subiaco are building toward their best week in week out. 

OPPONENTS FORM 
Perth have had a balanced start to the season with three losses and four wins, most notable one being the upset of the year so far in the 20 point win against reigning Premiers Bulldogs. A 10-point victory last week meant more than just a leap up the ladder, as West Perth have held the wood over the Demons in the longest losing streak in WAFL. Perth cracked the 19 game hoodoo in a gutsy win as after the heavy downpour, halted the Falcons to remain goalless for the final term. Brady Grey has been the stand out for the Demons with an average of 28 touches and seven tackles a game this year, however has only played the four games this season due to injury and is set to return in a couple of weeks time.


GOAL KICKERS
Last time these sides played each other was in round 7 of a shortened 2020 season in which Subi claimed the win by 26 points. Subi tallied 13 majors for the day that came majority in the first half (8.8 to Perth’s 3.6) . Jacob Atkinson (18 touches, seven inside-50s) kicked the most of those with three goals followed close behind by Rhys Waters and Max Walters with two straight. For the Demons it was Ex-Eagle, Fraser Mcinnes and Logan McDonald that topped their teams count with three apiece. Grey, Richardson and Jones all also featured for Perth with a single goal each.      

LAST TWO TIMES
Subiaco have encountered little resistance from the Demons of the last four match ups, apart from the most recent time last year when the margin was just 26. Prior to that however the average winning margin has been greater than 55 points for last 5 games. When they met in round 17 of Subi’s premiership winning season 2019, the Lions ran away 58-point winners 15.10 (100) to Perth’s 6.6 (42) and Ben Sokol had a day out with seven goals and 21 disposals in a convincing victory. Given that of recent times Subi have owned the match ups with Perth, the Demons will be looking to break another losing streak tomorrow, but contrarily Subi to make no difference to what they’ve handed to Perth in the past. 

OTHER GRADES
Colts will kick off proceedings at 9:10am on Saturday morning followed by reserves at 11:40am both being played at home for the Demons at Mineral Resources Park. Subi WAFLW team will play that same day but at 3:10pm and against Claremont at Revo Fitness Stadium.