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WAFL 2022: Subiaco coach Beau Wardman reveals how Lions snatched victory from East Perth as a draw loomed

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Eliza ReillyThe West Australian
Subiaco’s Max Walters is congratulated by team mates after he kicked the winning point seconds before the final siren to beat the Royals at Leederville Oval.
Camera IconSubiaco’s Max Walters is congratulated by team mates after he kicked the winning point seconds before the final siren to beat the Royals at Leederville Oval. Credit: Jackson Flindell/The West Australian

Scores level with less than two minutes to play is a critical position to be in.

Neither Subiaco nor East Perth wanted to split points, neither team wants to concede but both know that one score will win it.

The balance of attack and defence is intricate and not easily navigated on tired legs.

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The Royals had kicked three of the final four goals of the match, their momentum halted briefly by Ben Sokol’s fifth goal of the game at the 23-minute mark of the final quarter.

Sebit Kuek replied shortly thereafter with his fourth for the match which was closely followed by an equalising point.

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It was then the reigning premiers managed to clear a path moving forward, eventually finding Max Walters who hit the post and secured the Lions their first win of the season.

“You do a bit of scenario training during pre-season focusing on when you’re up or down by two points,” Subiaco coach Beau Wardman said.

“Instead you’re a bit torn between defence and offence but what I was impressed with was our courage to take the game on.

Subiaco’s Ben Sokol kicked five goals in the win over East Perth.
Camera IconSubiaco’s Ben Sokol kicked five goals in the win over East Perth. Credit: Jack Foley/Jack Foley

“We wanted to win the game more than we wanted to save it.

“Our ability to get it forward and for Max to get on the end of it, he’s such a competitor and he had some outstanding efforts in the last quarter which willed us to win.”

The hard-fought win marked Subiaco’s first of the year and brought an end to the club’s worst start to a season since 1994.

Wardman said it was a fitting reward for effort.

“We’ll take confidence out of it. East Perth have been in good form but we’ve been working really hard on the track,” he said.

“We’ve had patches in games where we’ve played our style but in other parts, we’ve let ourselves down with our ball movement.

“That will come naturally after transitioning the list but our resilience hasn’t wavered.

“We’ll go into the bye and reassess and improve on a couple of things.

“The competition is really tight and you have to be playing at your best.”

The win also saw the best of forward pair Brandon Matera and Sokol.

Stefan Giro was again good for his new team Subiaco.
Camera IconStefan Giro was again good for his new team Subiaco. Credit: Jack Foley/Jack Foley

Matera kicked four goals in the first half not to be outdone by the former Bernie Naylor medallist, Sokol kicking five goals in an exceptional second half.

“We had a chat with Brandon because his output hadn’t been as strong as we’d come to expect. He had a different role this week and we saw his work rate lift and he was able to take his opportunities,” Wardman said.

“Ben has been working really hard but hasn’t had the best delivery.

“He was able to work hard up the ground and turn his opponent which is more in line with how he likes to play.

“He had a few crucial set shots and his presentation at goal was excellent.”

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