From good to great: Coach Wardman challenges squad ahead of season 2022

Subiaco’s senior list has been challenged to maintain their excellence for the upcoming season according to its head coach.

Beau Wardman has been at the helm since 2019 and has had a successful period at the top job, coaching the league side to two premierships in three years.

Wardman told Subiacofc.com.au his side had been given a mantra ahead of the upcoming season.

“We’ve got the theme of good to great this year,” he said.

“We were successful in winning the premiership last year, but everyone resets. 

The premiership coach said everyone starts from the same level, and that it was up to the playing group to go above and beyond to achieve success once again.

“It's a bit of a cliche, but we've got to carve our own path again,” he said.

“Success on the field is only going to come from the hard work and the disciplines off it.

“That's what we've tried to really instil again over the preseason.”

Wardman said this year’s preseason has provided a few curveballs, with changes to the list through AFL opportunities, injuries and COVID.

Among the changes, 2021 premiership players Greg Clark (West Coast) and Nic Martin (Essendon) earned their way onto AFL lists, with the latter making his debut in round one.

However, Wardman said the events have created an opportunity for some to press their case for a spot in the league side.

He said the ability to produce homegrown talent across the grades was a positive sign.

“I think the success of our, our reserves and our colt side, on and off the field has been really strong,” Wardman said.

“For guys like Greg and Nic to get some AFL opportunity, and for Nic more recently to play well is a credit to our program.

“We've got some young guys that are continuing to push to come into the team as well over the next couple of years which is exciting.”

Subiaco has had sustained success in recent times, and the two-time WAFL premiership coach has a record that speaks for itself.

Since taking over from Jarrad Schofield, he has been able to keep up Subiaco’s ways with a winning percentage of over 81 per cent.

Wardman credited the foundation built by former coaches Schofield and Peter German.

“There's a real professional approach to how we want to educate our players, how we want to train them, and how we want to build strength,” he said.

“We hold each player to a high level of accountability, and the coaches are the same with that.

“The biggest thing for us is to make sure that we get the absolute most out of each individual.”

Players both new and familiar will be looking to make their mark on the competition early.

Arguably the biggest recruit across the WAFL this season, former Docker Stefan Giro turned his back on offers from other clubs in the league and from his native South Australia to sign with the Lions.

He’s a formidable winger and has the ability to sneak forward to impact the scoreboard, kicking 12 goals to date in his WAFL career.

His strength is his running capacity, where he will look to work hard to win the football.

In his last three matches in the WAFL, he averaged 25.7 disposals showing the influence he can have on games.

Another player looking to have a strong impact is spearhead Ben Sokol.

The 26-year-old had an impressive 2021, kicking 45 goals from 18 games.

He showcased his ability to impact matches, kicking six goals on three separate occasions last season.

The former Bernie Naylor medallist will once again look to be a focal point for the Lions up forward.

Kyle Stainsby is another who is looking impressive ahead of this season.

The defender has been huge for the Lions since making his league debut in 2019, including winning the Outridge Medal in 2020.

The Carine product has had a smooth transition from the club’s Colts program to the league side, where he averaged over 12 disposals per game last season.

His reliability down back is an asset to Subiaco, and his hard attack on the footy will be something to watch this season.

The first challenge for the Lions’ premiership defence begins in round one, where strong South Fremantle outfit will be looking for revenge after losing to Subiaco in the 2021 WAFL Grand Final.