Where is Subi?

by LES EVERETT

IT doesn't seem that long ago that big predictions were being made about Subiaco for the 2005 WAFL season.

After the Lions won their first three games by an average of just over 100 points some began speculating about an undefeated season. A loss in round five to South Fremantle at Fremantle Oval put an end to that line of argument but it wasn't long before it was looking as though the kindest course of action would be to engrave the premiership cup and let Subi get on with the celebrations.

Everything changed in round 14 at Leederville Oval and we probably didn't even notice. The Lions defeated the Bulldogs by 22 points in an epic match but the clear message to those involved with South was that Subi was not invincible.

Maybe the Lions got that point too. They lost their next two games and defeated lowly Perth by two points in round 20 and lowly East Perth by two points in round 23.

Meanwhile since that round 14 loss South Fremantle has won nine consecutive games including a 10 goal thumping of Subiaco in last week's second semi final.

And Claremont, who defeated Subiaco in round 15 and Swan Districts in the first semi final, has strung together five consecutive wins.

Perhaps the greatest indication of a power swift was that most tipsters went for the Bulldogs in last week's game.

Even though it took a while to get their running game going on Subiaco Oval, South was never in trouble in last week's game. The defence, despite appearing to lack height in some dodgy match-ups, was brilliant with Roger Hayden winning man-on-man contests, Paul Duffield looking assured and Shane Tipuamantamerri doing his thing.

As we've indicated before on these pages Adam Hay's effort in the ruck was also pivotal while there was a nice even contribution from many others and Evan Hewitt and Andrew Siegert capped things off in attack.

Claremont was similarly untroubled in the first semi and the form of Rowan Jones and Anthony Jones would trouble any rival coach.

So are the once-might Lions gone?

Strangely I thought they showed enough in the second half last week to suggest they might still be capable of giving the premiership a shake.

Some of the centre square work by the Lions was slick and David Robbins, Matthew Priddis, Ryan Crowley and Marc Webb all got enough of the ball. One big problem was that Subiaco's forwards looked cumbersome - if they remain that way then the Lions are finished.

Robbins, Crowley and Allistair Pickett are capable of playing in the forward line and coach Peter German might be looking for an injection of talent into his attack this week. Whatever happens we've got a couple of interesting weeks of WAFL finals footy to look forward to.

From the Fremantle Rooster.

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