WAFL 2024: Subiaco roar to upset triumph over ladder leaders Peel Thunder

Subiaco have ambushed ladder leaders Peel Thunder with a six-point upset at Lane Group Stadium on Saturday. The Lions have proven to be the Thunder’s bogey side, beating the Thunder for a second time this season in the 9.12 (66) to 9.6 (60) victory. Fremantle defender Brennan Cox had 18 disposals and eight marks in first WAFL league outing following a long term hamstring injury, with coach Justin Longmuir flagging his AFL return against Richmond on Saturday night. Peel got off to a fast start on their home turf and a quick chain of kicks allowed Corey Tegenza to open the scoring in just under three minutes. Hunting an upset, Subiaco’s youngsters were up and about early, goals to Ky Franceschini and Jacob Evitt showed the Lions were not going to be intimidated by the AFL-laden Peel who boasted nine Fremantle-listed players. Peel’s defence were under a mountain of pressure as Subiaco patiently worked the ball, creating plenty of opportunities but failed to execute letting Peel off the hook. The Lions kicked five consecutive behinds before finally finding the middle of the big sticks, Francheschini’s second goal giving his side some well deserved scoreboard pressure. Scoring opportunities were hard to come by for Peel, as they struggled for territory, trailing the inside 50’s 16 to 38 at the half. Peel were under the pump as Matt Taberner (two goals) managed to get boot to a bouncing ball in the goal square while Brody Wemm scrambled to kick his side’s second in a lacklustre quarter for the home side. A long bomb from Jack Mayo after the half-time siren giving the visitors some breathing room with a seven-point lead. The game opened up in the third as both teams showed cleaner skills, Peel mounted a comeback with three consecutive goals, however, Subiaco refused to break. It was a tense final quarter as scores stalled at 59 a piece for over ten minutes before Wil Hickmott popped up to kick the winning goal with five minutes left on the clock and steal the game for the Lions. SCOREBOARD SUBIACO 2.3, 4.9, 8.9, 9.12 (66) PEEL THUNDER 2.1, 4.2, 8.4, 9.6 (60) Goals – SUBIACO: R Borchet 2 K Franceschini 2 B Sokol 2 J Evitt W Hickmott J Mayo. PEEL THUNDER: M Taberner 2 N Wilson 2 J Delean N Eramus C Tregenza S Tuia B Wemm. Best – SUBIACO: K Franceschini L Foley G Clark L Hickmott G Savigni B Sokol PEEL THUNDER: W Brodie K Worner N Erasmus L Reidy M Sellwood. Injuries – SUBIACO: J Robbins (shoulder). Umpires: J Gibb J Kerr J Wilkinson. Crowd: About 1000 at Lane Group Stadium.