History points to Lions

by LES EVERETT

THIS Sunday's WAFL grand final between West Perth, one-time Leederville Oval tenants, and Subiaco, who will take up residence in Vincent Street next season, promises to be a beauty.

1973 GF

This photograph was taken at the 1973 WAFL grand final by Angus Belford (1924-2002). Born in a Subiaco premiership year, Angus - a lifelong supporter and reserves player with the club - had to wait 49 years to take some premiership snaps. Go to footy photos for another of Angus's images from 1973.

When the teams met in the second semi final the Falcons appeared to have done enough to win in the last quarter but the Lions fought back and won by eight points.

During the season West Perth won by 21 points in round nine and Subiaco by 38 points in round 18.

The Falcons, strengthened by the return of the enthusiastic and versatile Troy Longmuir, thrashed East Perth last week so will take excellent form into the game against the highly motivated Lions.

Subiaco and West Perth last met in a grand final in 1995 when current Falcons coach Darren Harris won the Simpson Medal in his team's 56 point win.

However those with a nose for history will see more parallels with the famous 1973 grand final when Subiaco under Ross Smith broke a 49 year drought by defeating West Perth by 32 points.

Old Cardies will tell you (well one told me last week) the reason they lost that game was because of the absence of full forward Phil Smith, the competition's leading goal scorer in 1973.

The Smith factor will also come into play this year and again it won't favour West Perth. Brad Smith, Phil's son, is the 2003 leading goal scorer and he's lining up for Subiaco. Sentiment might also be on the side of the Lions who will be severing their ties with Subiaco Oval after this game.

But it's not all weighted against the Falcons who were the last WAFL team to turn a grand final loss one year (1998) into a premiership the next.

Be there. It's a long empty summer after this.

WAFL grand final Subiaco vs West Perth, Subiaco Oval. 2.15pm Sunday 21 September.

From Voice News.

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