Subiaco Youngsters Set to Have Impact in 2018

Subiaco's Colts and Development reporter Lenny Fogliani will return to keep a close eye over the Subiaco colts and development again in 2018. Ahead of the new season, Lenny gives a few of the faces of recent years who have progressed through Subiaco's development program and appear set to make an impact at leage level in 2018.

The 2018 WAFL season is just a fortnight away as excitement builds towards Round 1 and a Good Friday match with East Perth.

Last year, Subiaco had a successful season, with the Reserves taking out the premiership and the League side playing off in the Grand Final.

While boom recruits such as Zac Clarke, Drew Rohde, Ben Newton and Josh Deluca have grabbed the attention, the core nucleus of the 2017 Reserves Premiership side appears set to take on greater responsibility at league level in 2018. Today we profile some of those young guns ready to break out in 2018.

RYAN BORCHET

Originally recruited as a young key forward, Borchet has shown an adaptability to play as a key defender switching between forward and back. In 20 games, he booted 17 goals and averaged 13 possessions, 5 marks and 2 tackles, with starring performances against West Perth (16 possessions, 9 marks & 3 goals), Peel Thunder (22 possessions & 12 marks), and Claremont (12 possessions, 3 marks & 1 goal). It follows on from a strong 2016 when he finished seventh in the Blakemore Medal and solid 2015, when he finished fourth in the Taylor Medal. With another strong pre-season behind him, expect Borchet to be firmly in the mix for League games in 2018.

MICHAEL BRAUT

Having already played League football in 2017, expectations are high for Braut. He made his League debut against Peel in round 11 and did not disappoint with 12 possessions and 4 marks. He played a further three games with the League team and averaged 11 possessions and 3 marks, before slotting back in with the Reserves and being a key component in their premiership triumph, especially with his performance in the Preliminary Final against Claremont with 15 possessions.

MCKENZIE LAWRENCE

The small midfielder and former Subiaco Colts captain is an extremely courageous ball-winner. Last year he finished equal fourth in the Blakemore Medal, after averaging 13 possessions, 5 tackles and 2 marks across 23 games. He produced dominant outings against East Perth in both round 5 (19 possessions and 4 marks) and round 23 (20 possessions and 5 tackles) and was sensational against West Perth (16 possessions and 6 tackles). His ruthless approach has endeared him to his team-mates and he looks to be a star player for many years at the Lions.

DANIEL LEACH

The Geraldton product had an exceptional season in 2017, taking out the Blakemore Medal and polling 14 votes in the Prendergast Medal. A contested bull, Leach is renowned for being at the bottom of packs and ripping the ball out of the stoppage before finding a teammate in open space. In 22 games for the Reserves he averaged 20 possessions and six tackles, with his best games coming against Perth (24 possession & 1 goal), Peel (25 possessions, 7 tackles & 1 goal), and East Fremantle (20 possessions & 11 tackles).

JACOB MILLER

After making a name for himself with selection in the 2016 WA Under 18’s State Academy, Miller has continued to make inroads as a senior footballer. In his first season of senior WAFL football, he finished second in the Blakemore Medal after averaging 14 possessions, 3 marks and 2 tackles, primarily playing off the half-back flank. What would have excited the coaching staff was his inspirational performance in the Preliminary Final against Claremont when he gathered 18 possessions, took six marks and laid five tackles.

BEN REID

After transforming his body to become more fit for senior football, Reid had an outstanding first year of WAFL senior football in 2017. In 22 games, he averaged 10 possessions, and 3 marks, and more often than not beat his direct opponent despite being undersized in a number of key defensive roles. His best games came against Swan Districts (8 possessions and 3 marks), East Perth (16 possessions, and 7 marks), Claremont (7 possessions, 2 marks and 1 goal), and South Fremantle (9 possessions, 3 marks and 3 tackles). With another strong pre-season behind him, expect Reid to be knocking on the door for League selection.

Be sure to check out all of Subiaco’s next generation of players, when Subiaco host East Perth on Friday March 30^th, Reserves action from 1.30pm and League action from 4.15pm. Season Launch to follow at 7.30pm.