Subiaco secure WAFLW finals spot with win over Peel Thunder, Claremont and Swan Districts tune up for finals

From winning two of their opening eight games to the WAFLW finals — beware of the roaring Subiaco Lions. Subiaco all but confirmed their place in the finals on Saturday night with a gritty 5.4 (34) to 2.7 (19) win over reigning premiers Peel Thunder. The 15-point win puts Subiaco two wins clear of East Fremantle in fifth place but the Sharks would have to win their two remaining games, including beating the Lions in round 15, and bridge a considerable percentage gap to leapfrog them. After an indifferent start to the season, Subiaco WAFLW coach Michael Farmer believes his side have since discovered their best footy is good enough to beat the best as they seek to avenge their 2020 grand final defeat — coincidentally at the hands of Peel Thunder. “For us to get that break puts us right in that finals contention but it also gives us a lot of confidence that going into those finals our best footy is good enough to compete,” Farmer said. “We lost to Swan Districts by one point but we’ve beaten Claremont and Peel. Securing that finals spot is massive. “We had a later start to the pre-season but our girls are starting to gel a lot more and trust in each other. “You never know in this competition. Anything can happen but I think we’re maybe peaking at the right time.” Staged at Leederville Oval on Saturday night in slippery conditions, the home side settled quicker than Peel, holding the visitors goalless for a half. Goals to Ella Roberts and Kate Bartlett gave Peel Thunder a sniff late but Subiaco always maintained a comfortable buffer before breaking the game open in the final quarter. Greater Western Sydney Giant Aimee Schmidt was influential on her WAFLW return, kicking an early goal and providing an aerial presence. “Last week our forward line and structure let us down finishing off our good work,” Farmer said. “She seemed to straighten us up a bit which is nice. She’s a quality inclusion. Hayley Miller was awesome as well but it was kind of our regular squad girls that are really stepping up and playing some good footy so we’re not reliant on those girls.” Lara Filacamo, Tarnica Golisano and Claire Ortlepp were also influential for Subiaco while for Peel Thunder, Ebony Bilcich, Chloe Wrigley and Sabreena Duffy worked hard in the midfield and Cassie Davidson was crucial in defence. In other round 13 results, Swan Districts remain undefeated after belting East Fremantle 11.5 (71) to 3.4 (22) while Claremont inflicted more pain on South Fremantle with their 6.5 (41) to 1.6 (12) win.