West Coast flew out of the blocks and never looked back, securing a 14.3 (87) to 8.9 (57) win over Subiaco.
West Coast celebrated the beginning of NAIDOC Week in style, powering to their second win of the 2025 WAFL season Subiaco at Leederville Oval.
Sitting ninth and tenth on the ladder respectively, both teams entered the clash looking to build momentum in the back half of the season. In a mark of respect to the significance of NAIDOC Week, the two sides exchanged gifts pre-game before the Eagles burst out of the blocks with their best opening term of the year.
It was an early blitz from the blue and gold, who piled on six goals in a red-hot first quarter, setting the tone for the rest of the match.
AFL-listed forward Matt Owies led the charge with two opening term goals, supported by majors from Jacob Newton, Josh Burke, Jack Petruccelle and Noah Long.
The Eagles’ end-to-end ball movement and dominance down the left side proved too much for Subiaco early, giving the Eagles a 29-point quarter time lead.
The Lions hit the scoreboard late in the term through milestone man Ryan Borchet, who was playing his 100th game for Subiaco and was one of their shining lights across the day. Finishing with 18 disposals and four goals.
Despite Subiaco lifting their intensity in the second term, West Coast’s tackling pressure and defensive run and carry continued to hold firm.
Stefan Giro gave the Lions a spark with a goal to reduce the margin to 22-points. But the Eagles responded through a second from Burke who was also having a day out.
While Subiaco had their chances, inaccuracy cost them, and Borchet’s second just before the half-time break kept them in touch, trailing by 22-points.
The Eagles resumed their first-half dominance in the third quarter, with Owies wasting no time kicking his third for the day.
Long added his second soon after, stretching the lead to 33-points.
Subiaco refused to roll over, kicking three of the next four goals. Including a third from Borchet to claw back to within-15 points.
Late goals from Owies and Newton steadied the Eagles, who entered the final change with a 27-point buffer.
With both sides fighting for territory in a tense final quarter, it was Long who again opened the scoring to push the lead to 33-points for the Eagles.
Borchet answered with his fourth in a standout milestone performance, but the Eagles continued to apply the pressure and were rewarded with a goal from Hamish Davis to all but seal the result.
The win marked the Eagles’ first victory since round five and their most complete performance of the season.
Campbell Chesser was instrumental on the wing, collecting 23 disposals and helping drive West Coast’s clean ball movement throughout the day.
Petruccelle was outstanding with 15 disposals and a goal, linking seamlessly with teammate Tom Cole, who contributed 16 disposals.
Tom Gross once again stood out for the Eagles, finishing with a game-high 29 disposals, nine marks, and seven inside 50s.
With the side finally beginning to gel, confidence will be high as West Coast look to carry their form into Round 14 when they face West Perth at HIF Insurance Oval on Saturday.
SUBIACO 1.2 3.4 7.5 8.9 (57)
WEST COAST 6.1 7.2 12.2 14.3 (87)
GOALS
Subiaco: Borchet (4), Giro, Schofield, Siano, Hickmott. West Coast: Owies (4), Newton (2), Long (2), Burke (2), Petruccelle, Reid, Davis
BEST
Subiaco: Borchet, Hickmott, Schofield, Giro, Golding, Mayo. West Coast: Gross, Chesser, Bazzo, Burke, Cole, Petruccelle, Livingstone, Hunt, Long,
