The spotlight may have been on some of his better-credentialled teammates but unheralded defender Simon White played a leading role when Subiaco beat South Fremantle by 28 points at Fremantle Oval on Saturday.
While robust forward Blake Broadhurst, hard-running wingman Shaun Hildebrandt and captains Kyal Horsley and Aidan Parker jostled for best-on-ground honours, White's complete shutdown of full-forward Ryan Murphy was no less significant in the 15.12 (102) to 10.14 (74) victory.
White, who turned 21 last Wednesday, celebrated by keeping Fremantle player Murphy to one point before being forced from the ground late in his eighth league match due to a slight knee injury.
Murphy's only two goals came in the final quarter, on a different opponent, when the sting had gone out of the contest.
Subiaco coach Scott Watters said he had been confident White would match up well on Murphy.
"I've coached Simon since colts and the one thing I'm not scared to do with him is throw him a challenge," Watters said.
"He's a real competitor and it was always going to be a good learning opportunity for him. I could have played Darren Rumble or Aidan Parker on Murphy.
"But I thought Simon was terrific last week and that he was able to handle that sort of challenge and perform extremely well elevates him as a defender and gives him a lot of confidence."
The win moved the Lions to the top of the premiership ladder and provided an important psychological boost for a possible finals clash between the two clubs in September.
It also squared the 2009 ledger after South Fremantle easily accounted for the Lions by 55 points in round four.
Broadhurst's clean use of the ball in difficult conditions was a highlight. The 23-year-old finished with 23 possessions, nine marks and four goals.
Hildebrandt, emerging as a leading contender for this year's Sandover Medal, had 34 possessions, while Horsley had 26 and made 15 tackles.
Subiaco's dominance in the tackle count, finishing with 94 to South Fremantle's 39, was critical in their convincing win.
Midfielder Phil Read was another prominent player with 26 possessions, nine marks and three goals, while defenders White, Parker and Rumble fared well for the winners.
South Fremantle's form was in stark contrast to seven days earlier when they belted West Perth by 81 points at the same ground.
Midfielders Kris Miller and Daniel Gilmore and ruckman Jaymie Graham tried hard to lift the Bulldogs back into the contest.
Gilmore, who must be close to an AFL recall, had 15 kicks, 20 handballs, four marks and five tackles in an even performance while Miller had 29 possessions.
Graham, who rucked against Luke Newick and Michael Rix for most of the match, finished with 24 possessions and 24 hit-outs.
Raking left-footer Chris Bossong had another encouraging effort in the South Fremantle reserves and would be a good chance to be promoted against his former club, Perth, at EFTel Oval on Saturday.
RUSSELL REID
