A REMARKABLE final quarter saw Subiaco pull off a stunning one-point victory over Claremont in a thrilling Round 16 WAFLW clash, with the Lions overturning a 21-point third-quarter deficit to secure a crucial 5.2 (32) to 4.7 (31) win at Sullivan Logistics Stadium.

The Lions found themselves trailing for much of the afternoon, as Claremont established a dominant lead through the middle stages of the match. However, Subiaco’s resilience shone through in the final term, kicking the only goal of the quarter while holding Claremont to a solitary behind to snatch the win in a tightly contested finish.

Claremont started brightly, controlling the bulk of the play in the opening term, but it was Subiaco who struck first against the run of play through ex-Tiger Charlotte Tompkin. The Tigers responded when Eva Campo converted, leaving the scores tied at 1.1 (7) apiece at the first break despite Claremont having multiple shots on goal. The visitors extended their advantage in the second quarter, adding two goals through Jayde Musika and Bec Anderson to lead by 13 points at half-time, 3.4 (22) to 1.2 (8).

The third quarter saw Claremont start fast, with Amy Evans slotting a goal in the first minute to push the lead out to a game-high 21 points. However, Subiaco refused to yield. Annabel Johnson kicked two crucial goals, and Sian Bosich converted a 50m penalty to cut the margin back to just four points heading into the final change, 4.6 (30) to 4.2 (26).

The final quarter was a battle of attrition, but Subiaco’s ability to find the big sticks when it mattered most proved the difference. Eva Popovsky dribbled home a terrific goal from 35m to put Subiaco in front, and the Lions held on desperately, highlighted by a saving mark from Johnson at centre half-back, to secure the hard-fought one-point win.

Paige Sheppard was a dominant force for Subiaco, as she racked up a game-high 32 disposals, three marks and laid 11 tackles. She was well supported by Krstel Petrevski (26 disposals, eight inside 50s) and Lisa Steane (24 disposals, five marks and 11 tackles), who provided plenty of grunt around the contest. Johnson also found plenty of the ball, finishing with 20 disposals and two vital goals.

Up forward, Johnson was the only multiple goalkicker for the Lions, slotting two crucial majors and having some huge defensive moments alongside Dahna Lee in the final term. Double bottom-agers Caitlin Boss and Beatrice Crane were both industrious on the wing and half-back respectively.

For Claremont, Hayley Bullas battled hard all day, finishing with an equal team-high 23 disposals and seven tackles. Jacinta Valentini (23 disposals, four tackles) and Jayme Harken (20 disposals, seven tackles) also worked tirelessly to keep their side in the hunt. Claremont had four individual goalkickers, with Anderson, Campo, Evans, and Musika all finding the net. Matilda Husband competed fiercely in the ruck, finishing with a massive 46 hitouts and 14 disposals.

SUBIACO 1.1 | 1.2 | 4.2 | 5.2 (32)
CLAREMONT 1.1 | 3.4 | 4.6 | 4.7 (31)

GOALS:
Subiaco: A. Johnson 2, C. Tompkin, S. Bosich, E. Popovsky
Claremont: B. Anderson, E. Campo, A. Evans, J. Musika

RMC BEST:
Subiaco: A. Johnson, P. Sheppard, K. Petrevski, L. Steane, E. Popovsky, C. Boss
Claremont: J. Harken, H. Bullas, J. Valentini, B. Anderson, M. Husband

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Boorloo delivered a commanding performance to easily account for West Perth by 32 points. The visitors trailed by a point at half-time but only conceded two goals in the last three quarters, while piling on eight themselves. In particular, the four goals to one fourth term sealed the comprehensive 8.7 (55) to 3.5 (23) victory.

Holly Britton was the highet ball-winner for Boorloo, racking up 27 disposals and five marks. She worked in tandem with the red-hot Isabella Shannon (24 disposals, six marks and two goals) and Amy Trindade (23 disposals, five marks and one goal). For West Perth, Lexi Strachan battled hard with 26 disposals and seven marks, while fellow National Academy member Cara Dziegielewski (19 disposals, five marks, eight tackles and 20 hitouts) also tried her best to stem the tide.

East Fremantle secured a comfortable 28-point victory over Peel Thunder in a relatively low-scoring affair. The Sharks trailed slightly at quarter-time but kicked three goals in the second term to take control of the match, eventually running out 7.2 (44) to 2.4 (16) winners. They did not concede a goal in the second half, while piling on four goals themselves.

Mackenzie Webb was impressive for East Fremantle, as she amassed 20 disposals and five tackles. Cienna Leslie was also prolific with 19 disposals, while Sarah Wielstra (19 disposals, seven tackles) and Anjelique Raison (19 disposals, six marks) were strong contributors. For Peel Thunder, Chloe Wrigley racked up a massive game-high 31 disposals and six marks, while bottom-ager Tiama Collard gathered 30 disposals and eight marks in a valiant effort.

South Fremantle ground out a massive 48-point victory over East Perth, dominating the scoring shots with 17 to four. The Bulldogs held a slight advantage throughout the match, kicking three goals in the opening term and steadily increasing their lead to finish 9.8 (62) to 2.2 (14). Despite some inaccuracy, the Bulldogs were far too strong.

Ashleigh Gomes was influential for South Fremantle, and she finished with 15 disposals, eight inside 50s and eight tackles. Tahleah Mulder (17 disposals, five tackles and five inside 50s) and Hannah Burt (14 disposals, five tackles) were also strong contributors, while Kiana Lee kicked two goals from 11 disposals. For East Perth, Kahra Sprlyan racked up a game-high 24 disposals, while Charli Bassett (17 disposals, four marks, four tackles and four inside 50s) fought hard in defeat.