The Subiaco Lions have won their fifteenth WAFL premiership, their eight in sixteen years, their fourth in just six years, and two in a row, after comfortably doing away with the South Fremantle Bulldogs at Optus Oval on Sunday afternoon.
The Lions raced out to a handy advantage at quarter time with four goals to one, and never really looked troubled at any point during a match they ultimately won by 96 points.
One of Subiaco’s newest ex-AFL talents, former Sydney Swan Harrison Marsh, kicked the first goal of the game, but South Fremantle got a quick reply through Shaun Bewick.
Any sense of parity on the scoreboard ended quickly thereafter, however – Subiaco kicked the next three goals to close out the first quarter, coming through Clancy Wheeler, Ben Sokol and Ben Newton.
The Lions’ dominance continued in the second quarter, banging through five goals in quick succession while the Bulldogs could must just one behind for the quarter.
Sokol got his second for Subiaco, with Sandover Medallist Lachlan Delahunty, Simon Moore, Justin Joyce and Thomas Edwards-Baldwin the other goalkickers in this term. The Lions lead by 53 points at the main break.
Sokol would go on to kick two more in the third quarter, while Delahunty bagged his second and Kyal Horsley managed one for Subiaco as well.
Haiden Schloithe broke through for the Bulldog’s second goal of the game during that quarter, but the Dogs weren’t able to add anything more to it before the final change.
Marsh and Sokol kicked two more goals each in the final term, taking Marsh to three for the game and Sokol to six. The captain Leigh Kitchin also managed to pinch one for the Lions, while former Hawthorn rookie Kade Stewart had South Fremantle’s third.
The result will add fuel to a debate about equalisation in the WAFL after yet another dominant season from the Lions, who won last year’s grand final by 81 and have lost just one in the last two years.
They have already been installed as $1.15 favourites to win the premiership again in 2020.
Linda
Roar Rookie
Well done Subi! If most of the ‘other’ Clubs can just stop ‘bagging’ out & wasting their time & energy worrying about what Subiaco FC are doing.....then maybe, just maybe those Clubs could be just as good as Subi. ‘ASPIRE TO BE YOUR BEST’ and forget about the rest. Money definitely doesn’t ‘buy’ a Premiership!
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
True Micko, i like a lot of people who usually go to the GF even if my side is eliminated would not go because the result was inevitable, sadly horribly one sided. If Subi was not so dominant there would have been closer to 30,000 fans. One thing is certain Sokol will be on a AFL list next year. A brilliant accurate kicker of the football not even seen in the AFL regularly.
Micko
Roar Rookie
I think I heard only 18,000, but that's because Subi aren't a massively supported club, and they're so dominant that a lot of Souths fans and neutrals were probably scared off. The WAFL never gets the crowds the SANFL does anyway. You'll probably need a Freo derby GF, Perth Derby GF, or a GF involving Swans, to get the crowds the SANFL gets.
Spanner
Roar Rookie
What was the crowd figures, lads ? (40k at SANFL, yesty)
WCE
Roar Rookie
we said Don. Subiaco are a professional outfit, yes they have money, its called smart financial arrangements, even going back to 1986 when they were so badly given the outsiders that the sponsor at the time offered $200k if they won, well they won , that's not the clubs fault. I will always be a West Coast member in the AFL and always be a Subi member in the WAFL and i couldnt be more prouder with either.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Not quite fair. Ben Sokol started at South Fremantle but they kept him in the seconds. He went to Subi and became a star. Subi has many ordinary players who just play team footy.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
The premiership coach wins the John Todd medal. He gave a colourful speech that folk are referring to.
Tony Tea
Roar Rookie
Oobie! Doobie!
Larrikin
Roar Rookie
Another back to back flag by the maroon and gold mighty Subiaco Lions. These boys deserve every accolade they get. 96 points!! What a terrific result and Todds speech at the end was brilliant, Ben Sokol BOG , could easily have been Horse, Kitch or Dela , great stuff boys !!!
WCE
Roar Rookie
Well done Subi , being a long term member of Subi in the WAFL I couldn't be prouder. This club is professional in every way and train their guts out to achieve the results. Attitude, determination and a strict training regime . Legend John Todd spoke very admiral about the team and coach post game speech so that says something. Great win Subi and Ben Sokol for BOG
Dean
Guest
Subiaco does it again! Abother smashing, couldnt watch it live but will be checking out the replay. I have had a pretty good run following the Hawks, Subiaco and Central districts.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
You piqued my interest, and I did a smidgen of research. Winning a Sandover at 17 is amazing, and his coaching career seemed legendary. What prompted you to mention him tonight, matey?
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
John Todd is an absolute legend, top bloke and someone all young WA footy fans need to learn about.
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
Money buys premierships, the wafc needs to man before the WAFL becomes the joke the VFL once was.