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Subi sizzle against Royals

Subiaco emerged as genuine premiership contenders after ending East Perth's 10-match winning streak with a comprehensive four-quarter display today.

The top-of-the-table clash lived up to its billing with the game in the balance until midway through the last term when Subiaco's Kyal Horsley sealed the result with his second goal.

Subiaco echoed their four-goal win against their Medibank Stadium co-tenants in round five by holding on by 28 points, 15.7 (97) to 10.9 (69).

West Coast utility Simon Tunbridge returned early from Adelaide to play for the Royals but had a quiet day and was reported late in the game for striking Simon Moore.

The Lions were tested early and often by the ladder-leaders but had answers for every challenge.

Clancy Wheeler had a massive job deep in defence against a trio of East Perth big men - Paul Johnson, Callum Sinclair and Fraser McInnes but had just one goal kicked on him and repeatedly repelled East Perth attacks.

But Sinclair proved a masterful performer in the ruck and around the ground where he was his team's best player and the most effective performer on the ground.

Sinclair had 24 disposals, made 34 hit outs and had a game-high six clearances.

Subiaco's on-ball division had the better of their counterparts with Horsley, Shaun Hildebrandt, Chris Phelan, Jason Bristow and Brett Mahoney each having more than 20 disposals.

Josh Smith inspired East Perth's third quarter comeback that saw the Royals get back within one point before a pair of George Hampson goals and an opportunistic Mahoney major

stretched the lead again.

Smith twice marked under pressure in the forward line and passed off to team-mates who scored goals while Will Maginness kicked his second when he crumbed a marking contest involving the big East Perth forward.

Horsley started to get into the game as the first half wore on and he was to prove the most effective midfielder on the ground.

Matt Boland had few chances in the first term but sprang into action after the first break with goals from two strong marks and a relay free kick.

Chris Deluca had the first goal on the board within the opening minute and could have had another soon afterwards only to blow the chance from close range.

His brother, Josh, also had several opportunities with marks inside the forward 50 but managed to convert just one of three attempts.

Johnson started brilliantly with 10 touches in the first term as well as a critical spoil in the goal square before spending much of the second half deep in attack.


SCOREBOARD

SUBIACO

3.2

7.5

11.7

15.7

(97)

EAST PERTH

1.3

5.3

8.6

10.9

(69)

GOALS - SUBIACO: Boland 3; Hampson, Horsley 2; Mahoney, Bristow, Phelan, McDougall, C Deluca, Yarran, J Deluca. EAST PERTH: J Smith, Maginness, Moss 2; A Smith, Sinclair, Tunbridge.
BEST - SUBIACO: Wheeler, Horsley, Mahoney, Hildebrandt, Hampson, Boland. EAST PERTH: Sinclair, J Smith, Lee, S Payne, Johnson, Maginness.
INJURIES: - None
REPORTS: Tunbridge (EP) for striking Moore.
UMPIRES: M Adams, S Parry, J Power.
CROWD: 1600 (approx) at Medibank Stadium.