Subiaco Regional Academy Teams Produce Upset Win over Great Southern Storm

The Kalgoorlie Academy and Esperance Academy joined forces last weekend for a special talent exhibition match against the Great Southern Storm at Gibson Oval in Esperance on Saturday.

The two academies were dressed in Subiaco gear for the match which was closely monitored by talent staff from the Subiaco Football Club.

In a tight, absorbing, hard hitting contest, played in trying conditions, the Esperance/Kalgoorlie side recorded a five point win over their more fancied Storm rivals.

In wet conditions, both teams were fierce at the contest but it was the Esperance/Kalgoorlie side that showed more run and more polish across the four quarters.

Kyron McKenzie was among the best with a prolific display of ball winning through the midfield, while Jack Borchet and Fraser Softley showed strong composure in defence and Khan Wyatt provided a strong target up forward.

For Subiaco Talent Manager Michael Farmer it was a great opportunity to venture to the Subiaco regional zone and see some of the brightest young talent in the one game.

“We’ve had some great success in the past couple of years with players from both Kalgoorlie and Esperance having an impact at Subiaco colts level,” Farmer said.

“Games like this provide a great opportunity for the next wave of regional talent to play in high quality games of football against tough opposition sides.

With players like Ben Miller and Brayden Ainsworth recently being drafted to the AFL from Subiaco’s regional zone, this highlights the talent in football that continues to be involved in regional football.

The combined Subiaco representative side was coached by the two academy coaches in Mark Paperone who heads up the Kalgoorlie Academy and Carl Newman who coaches the Esperance Academy.

Current Subiaco colts players Duane Oxenham-Smith, Daniel Frost and local boy Jacob Buckley all attended the game with the Subiaco Talent Staff as an opportunity to further grow relationships between the Subiaco colts and the Talent Academies.

The Subiaco Football Club would like to acknowledge the support of both the Kalgoorlie and Esperance Talent Academies along with the Great Southern Storm and the Gibson Football Club for holding the event.

TALENT EXHIBITION FINAL SCORES

ESPERANCE/KALGOORLIE - 8.6

GREAT SOUTHERN STORM - 7.7

E/K GOALS: Anfernee Bilgin 2, Clarence Green 2.

E/K BEST: Kyron McKenzie, Fraser Softley, Jack Borchet, Khan Wyatt.