Lions through to the Preliminary Final with win over Tigers

Subiaco has moved past Claremont to continue on in season 2023, winning by 39 points in front of a big crowd at Leederville Oval on Sunday September 10.

The Lions were in control for large parts of the match, but weren’t able to put their opponents away due to wayward shots in front of goal.

It left the door open for the Tigers to mount a comeback, with Claremont kicking four goals in a row to bring the margin back to six points at three quarter time.

With the game on the line, Subiaco’s more experienced players began to take control.

Ryan Borchet flew for everything inside 50, and kicked two majors.

Meanwhile big forward Ben Sokol, who was kept goalless for most of the game, sprung to life in the fourth, kicking three goals.

The Lions kept Claremont scoreless for the final term, with the team defence proving too much in the end, as the home side won 12.16 (88) to 8.1 (49).

Galen Savigni continues to impress down back, with his intercept possessions on display throughout the match.

Meanwhile, Liam Hickmott was outstanding in the clash, amassing 36 disposals and six inside 50s.

The win sets up a Preliminary Final match up with Peel Thunder, with the Lions set to head to Mandurah’s Lane Group Stadium on Sunday September 17.

With both teams needing to win to progress, tensions were high throughout the game.

The first score proved important, as Borchet put through the first for the Lions, starting a chain.

Five goals were kicked in a row, before Claremont responded through Callan England.

In the second term, the hard hits continued, and the Lions continued to press, without much reward.

Six behinds were kicked to the Tigers’ 1.1, reducing the margin to 21 points at half time.

Claremont came out firing in the third quarter, with the Lions needing a response.

Skipper Leigh Kitchin nailed his opportunity, with ruckman Zac Clarke following suit shortly after.

But the Tigers with nothing to lose continued to press, kicking the next four goals to put doubt into the minds of the Lions’ faithful.

Beau Wardman’s three-quarter time speech appeared to have immediate effect, with Sokol kicking the first of the final term.

It was the beginning of the end for the Tigers, with Subiaco keeping their season alive.

SUBIACO 5.4 5.10 7.13 12.16 (88)

CLAREMONT 2.0 3.1 8.1 8.1 (49)

Goals: Borchet 3, Sokol 3, Kitchin, Tholstrup, Robbins, Clarke, Morgan, Alone.

Best: Savigni, L Hickmott, Giro, Stainsby, Borchet.