Subiaco has been on a tear through their opposition since their round one loss to South Fremantle.
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Since dropping the game to the Bulldogs, the Lions have won eight straight and moved to two games clear atop the WAFL table.
They will be searching for their ninth consecutive victory next weekend when they travel to Mandurah, but standing in their way is a Peel Thunder side looking to take their fourth straight win.
Both teams go into the game in hot form, but who wins? Read the breakdown below.
The talking points
1. Rivalry
In terms of WAFL clubs with a “modern” rivalry, Subiaco and Peel are about as big and as bitter as it gets. Historical squabbles between South and East Fremantle, and East and West Perth dominate the big rivalries, but the Lions and Thunder have developed a healthy angst toward each other in recent times. Last year, the Thunder refused to play Subiaco on Leederville Oval due to unfit playing surface, and the one-day delay allowed Peel to welcome more Fremantle players to their group helping them win the game. The series of events made for some fiery headlines, and was followed later in the year by the Thunder edging out Subiaco in the grand final. They have already met once this season, with Subiaco accounting for Peel with a 15-point win.
2. Subiaco’s weapons
It’s hard for coaches to know which Subiaco player to give that extra attention to at times. As soon as you think you’ve shut one down, another stands up. Last time they met, Peel was able to quell the influence of Subi’s Leigh Kitchin (11 disposals) and Angus Litherland (12), but standing tall in their stead was Kyal Horsley (27, one goal), Ben Sokol (20, two goals) and Christopher Phelan (30, one goal). Young gun Braden Fimmano was also damaging with 22 disposals and a goal. The spread of Subiaco’s dominance means Peel will need a complete team effort to come away with a win.
Key match-up
The midfield battle
A milky way’s worth of stars will line-up on each other in the middle for this game. For the Thunder, Rory O’Brien, Traye Bennell and Josh Deluca are in good touch, while Subiaco’s line-up of Kyal Horsley, Leigh Kitchin and co. are proven and powerful. At least one of Peel’s Fremantle-listed midfielders will come out of the game as the Dockers rest a sore Ed Langdon. Darcy Tucker, Tom Sheridan and Nick Suban are all likely contenders to fill Langdon’s role.
Fixture
Bendigo Bank Stadium, Saturday, 2.15pm