West Coast saw positive signs from returning pair Jarrod Brander and Alex Witherden, while Jake Waterman kicked four goals in a defeat to top-tier Subiaco today.

The Lions managed a five-goal haul in the last quarter and kept the Eagles scoreless, which lead them to the classy 12.6 (78) to 9.4 (58) victory.

Brander (29 disposals, five marks and four inside 50s), captain Hamish Brayshaw (30 disposals, six tackles, six inside 50s) and Witherden (27 disposals, eight marks, three tackles) had a dominant day on the park, while four majors from Waterman also put a solid dent in the scoreboard.

Brayden Ainsworth must also be commended for his efforts onball, finishing with 33 disposals and five marks in the absence of veteran Mark Hutchings and tomorrow’s AFL debutant Connor West.

Utility ruckman Callum Jamieson also continued to develop his craft as a tall defender, finishing the match with 11 disposals, three marks and three tackles; while Luke Foley was also instrumental, spoiling plenty of Subiaco’s supply with his solid commitment to the contest.

It was a strong first term for the Eagles, who fought back early after Subiaco snared the first major of the match.

Jake Waterman was the best Eagle afield for the quarter, managing to muscle out the Lions’ key defenders and take two contested marks which led to two accurate goals.

Nathan Vardy was also dominant in the ruck and forward-line, snapping one of his own to give the Eagles’ a 12-point lead at quarter-time.

It was the second term that again proved costly for the Eagles after letting seven goals slide last weekend against Swan Districts.

Today Subiaco managed five consecutive majors in the second, with West Coast’s Harry Sinclair snaring the only goal of the quarter and narrowing the Eagles’ deficit to 12 points.

In the third term, West Coast came out firing with a fantastic intercept mark from Brander and two explosive goals from Waterman and setting the scene for the quarter.

Vardy also took a key grab halfway through the term, with a classy goal from Foley the end result.

Momentum continued to swing in the Eagles’ favour after Foley levelled the scores, with Jordan Busher and Kieran Hug also hitting the scoreboard in the third quarter.

This led West Coast into the fourth quarter with an 11-point lead, while also expecting an imminent response from Subiaco on their home turf.

The Lions provided just that, with five consecutive goals snatching the match from West Coast by 20 points, in a disappointing end result for the Eagles after their five-point victory against the side in round 11.

 

WEST COAST: 3.2 4.2 9.3 9.4 (58)

SUBIACO: 1.2 6.2 7.4 12.6 (78)

GOALS

West Coast: Waterman 4, Busher, Foley, Hug, Sinclair, Vardy

Subiaco: Matera 3, Harris, Marsh 2, Martin, Matera, Robbins, Sokol, Walters

BEST

West Coast: Waterman, Witherden, Brander, Ainsworth, Brayshaw

Subiaco: Clark, Kitchin, Harris, Matera, Hickmot