THERE is a heartbeat in West Perth’s WAFL Women’s season which looked to be on life support after going down to East Fremantle last round and having slumped to sixth spot heading into the huge contest with top of the table Subiaco. But in a true backs-against-the-wall performance, the Falcons dug deep to find a way to tame the Lions by two points at Sullivan Logistics Stadium, 4.5 (29) to 3.9 (27).

Very little made sense about the match, with Subiaco having a whopping 47 inside 50s to 20, and winning every stat except the one that counted. West Perth – who kept switching leads with the Lions at each break – finished in front at the only one that mattered to remain in the finals hunt with two rounds remaining.

Both sides were missing quality players due to Western Australia’s Under 18s side playing its final match of the national carnival, though Subiaco had the clear experience edge on the Falcons who have been bringing in plenty of youth over the season. But despite that fact, it was Amy Fortescue who provided an early spark for the underdogs with two goals in the opening term to ensure the Falcons stuck with the Lions, trailing by just one point at the first change.

After a couple of misses, Sara Riou capitalised late in the second term for the only major of the quarter, punishing a few behinds of Subiaco’s earlier in the term. The Lions continued to pepper the goals for the remainder of the half, but the staunch West Perth defence refused to give in. AFLW experienced midfielders Paige Sheppard and Lisa Steane combined for 58 disposals, 16 marks, 15 tackles and 10 inside 50s in the match, but despite their dominance, could not drag their team over the line.

Instead the desperate defending from Liliana Grassenis (12 disposals, three marks and three tackles), Emily Bennett (15 disposals, five marks and six tackles) and Jessica Roper (12 disposals, seven tackles) among others denied Subiaco time after time. A breakthrough goal to Eva Popovsky at least handed the Lions a deserved lead at the final change, but more misses – despite the ball living in home side’s front half – meant that advantage was just four points.

The misses and inability to capitalise would soon be punished once more as Kayla Van Den Heever slammed home what would be the only goal in the final term. She would end the game with 20 disposals, four marks, six tackles and two inside 50s, and once more despite Subiaco having its chances and more than double the inside 50s, could seemingly not penetrate past the West Perth defence more than once after quarter time.

Charlotte Newland (18 disposals, six marks, eight tackles, seven hitouts and four inside 50s) and Hali Epis (nine disposals, four marks and three tackles) were sensational, while Tess Lyons took control in the ruck battle allowing, Sheppard, Steane and Krstel Petrevski (22 disposals, five tackles) to really go to work. On the outside, Hayley Corlett was spreading well, while Popovsky was busy in the front half.

Aside from those already mentioned, West Perth’s wing duo in Taylor Ferguson (25 disposals, seven marks) and Megan Norbury (15 disposals, three marks and seven tackles) were strong, while Madison Dodd (22 disposals, four marks, four tackles and three inside 50s) had a big day out against her former side.

SUBIACO 2.2 | 2.6 | 3.8 | 3.9 (27)
WEST PERTH 2.1 | 3.3 | 3.4 | 4.5 (29)

GOALS:
Subiaco: E. Popovsky, C. Tompkin, C. Vallelonga
West Perth: A. Fortescue, K. Van Den Heever, S. Riou

RMC BEST:
Subiaco: C. Newland, P. Sheppard, L. Steane, H. Corlett, T. Lyons
West Perth: L. Grassenis, E. Bennett, T. Ferguson, K. Van Den Heever, M. Norbury

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Claremont played catch-up with Subiaco’s percentage after dominating East Perth in a 14.8 (92) to 1.3 (9) victory. The Tigers had four multiple goalkickers in the match and had 38 inside 50s to 10, with the experience of Mackenzie Webb and Sarah Viney coming to the fore, while Jayme Harken and Matilda Husband were also very good. Summer Mollross and Elly Sara tried hard for East Perth.

Swan Districts extended its margin in third with a 68-point thrashing of Peel Thunder. The Swans piled on 11 goals in the first three quarters before the Thunder managed to stem the bleeding in the last. Taylah Edwards added three more majors to the season tally, while Jaime Henry (37 disposals, six marks, four tackles and a goal) and Summer Ajduk continued their great form.Chloe Wrigley tacked up 29 disposals, five marks, 10 tackles and a goal in defeat.

East Fremantle had the closest win of the three games, but still crushed Perth by 45 points at Mineral Resources Park. Chloe Reilly (three goals) and Anjelique Raison (two) were a handful up forward as Natasha Entwistle (28 disposals, nine tackles) was everywhere. Unsurprisingly, Perth co-captains Holly Britton and Isabella Shannon were fantastic, combining for 61 disposals.