Wounded Lions too strong for Swans

Subiaco have shrugged off their short break and a month of inconsistent form to post a rousing 48-point win over Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval.

It was the hosts who started flat and never truly rallied to prevent their second loss of the season, with the Lions breaking the game open with five unanswered goals in the third term.

The 20.10 (130) to 14.9 (93) victory was a significant result for Subiaco after losing ruckman Frank Stockley to a suspected leg injury just before half time.

Jarrod Kayler-Thomson also seriously injured his right shoulder in a marking contest in the game’s dying seconds to undermine an otherwise dominant performance.

The loss meant Swans slipped from top spot, with East Perth finishing the round on top of the ladder.

Utility player Clancy Wheeler was forced to take the main tap duties in the second half following Stockley’s injury and helped swing the momentum the visitors’ way.

Forward Rhys Waters showed just how much Subiaco had missed him through a two-week suspension.

He kicked two booming goals from the 50m arc – one from a set shot and the other from a ground level ball – in an end-to-end third quarter where the Lions slotted seven majors to five.

Star George Hampson also shrugged off a quiet first half to pick up 13 disposals for the quarter and contribute two goals to swing the momentum firmly in his side’s favour.

Swans threatened to snatch the match with three successive goals to start the final term and close within five points, but the Lions rallied at the death.

Forward Shane Yarran snapped the sealer at the 19-minute mark – his fourth goal of the match – to seal the result. Matthew Boland also booted four majors.

Ryan Davis was superb for Swans as his strong season continues, booting a game-high five goals and injecting class and pace into the middle when thrown on ball.

Spearhead Tim Geappen also had the better of his match-up in kicking four goals.

The Lions started the stronger side despite coming off the shortened five-day break.

They kicked three of the first four goals with Yarran ever dangerous at ground level.

Swans leading goal kicker Ricky Cary was his side’s main focal point at the other end.

He plucked two strong marks in the first term and kicked a goal soon before the first break to keep the hosts in touch, but should have had more reward if not for some errant goal kicking.

Swans looked at their most potent when standout Davis was swung into the centre square.

They strung together three goals in a 10-minute spell during the second quarter to level scores, with Geappen breaking free from Daniel Leishman’s clutches to boot consecutive goals.

But Subiaco ran out the term better to seize a handy 11-point buffer at the main break that proved telling in withstanding the opposition’s expected late charge.