IN a top-of-the-table clash that lived up to the billing, Subiaco and Claremont could not be separated at Sullivan Logistics Stadium on Sunday afternoon, playing out a dramatic 4.6 (30) to 4.6 (30) draw in Round 7 of the WAFLW season.

The Lions dominated the opening half and looked set to pull off a statement win over the reigning premiers, but Claremont clawed their way back with a spirited second-half surge, leaving both teams unbeaten at the top of the ladder after seven rounds.

Subiaco burst out of the gates, controlling territory and dictating the contest from the opening bounce. Their midfield pressure was relentless, and they set up camp inside forward 50 for much of the first term. Olivia Wolmarans opened the scoring with a composed finish and was busy early, as the Lions piled on 1.4 to hold the Tigers scoreless at quarter time.

The second term followed a similar script, with Subiaco continuing to press. Ex-AFLW recruits Lisa Steane and Paige Sheppard were immense around the contest, while Krstel Petrevski patrolled the forward half with poise. Subiaco added their second midway through the quarter, the result of clean ball movement and forward craft that saw Eva Popovsky get her name on the board, as Subiaco pushed their lead out to 17-9 at the main break.

But Claremont flipped the script after half-time. The Tigers found their groove in the third quarter, taking better care of the ball and surging forward with purpose. Goals to Ella Gilbey, Matilda Husband, and a particularly impressive snap around the body from Savannah Muir gave them scoreboard momentum, and by three-quarter time they had wrestled their way to a five-point lead despite Subiaco still edging them in general play.

With the game in the balance, the final term became a tug-of-war. In a show-stopping final few minutes, both sides had chances to steal the victory, but desperate defence and missed opportunities meant the scores were locked at the final siren in a gripping finish that saw Subiaco equalise through a beautiful set shot goal from usual suspect Wolmarans.

Wolmarans was the standout forward on the ground, finishing with two goals and proving a constant threat inside 50 with her smart leading patterns and clean hands. Steane (21 disposals, 10 tackles) and Petrevski (24 disposals, four inside 50s) were dominant in the contest, while Sheppard helped to repel wave after wave of Claremont attacks.

For the Tigers, Matilda Sergeant (22 disposals, seven marks, three tackles) was everywhere in the second half, with strong support from Mackenzie Webb (17 disposals, six tackles, four inside 50s) in defence. Kate Orme and Juliet Kelly were also influential for Claremont, especially in transition, helping steady their side when they were under siege early.

The draw keeps both teams at the top of the ladder undefeated. Subiaco will now face Peel Thunder in Round 8, while Claremont meet a red-hot South Fremantle in another massive clash.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Swan Districts continued its red-hot form with a 19-point win over Perth at Steel Blue Oval, booting four goals in the second half to come from behind. Emily McGuire and Mel Grage starred as leading goal scorers for their teams with two majors apiece. Midfielders Isabella Shannon (31 disposals, seven tackles, four inside 50s) and Carys D’Addario (22 disposals, six tackles, three inside 50s) dominated across the field.

Peel Thunder bounced back from five straight losses to take a commanding 19-point win over East Perth, with Krystal Carter and Tiama Collard slotting two majors each and collecting 35 disposals between them. With key defender Evie Cowcher missing, it was Chloe Wrigley who stepped up once again and provided a complete performance for her side, coming away with 35 disposals, five tackles, and four inside 50s. Elly Sara was best on ground for East Perth, ending the game with 25 disposals, four tackles, six marks, and one inside 50.

West Perth produced an astonishing fourth-quarter display against East Fremantle at HIF Health Insurance Oval to secure a 3.10 (28) to 2.1 (13) victory. Jamarah Walley topped the scoreboard with two goals for the Falcons, whilst Alicia Blizard and Eve Wilson-Sieber scored one goal apiece for the Sharks. It was Emily Bennett for the Falcons who dominated the stats, leaving the ground with 23 disposals, five tackles, and three inside 50s.