Colt Corner with Beau Wardman Round One
Thursday, April 5, 2018 - 10:05 AM
Subiaco’s colts had a big win in round one as they comfortably accounted for East Perth, scoring the highest score by a Subiaco colts side since 2013.
Coach Beau Wardman checked in to give a recap of the Round One victory while looking ahead to Round Two and a date with South Fremantle
Beau, great start to the season, a really thorough and complete victory over East Perth. Was there any specific element of the win that most impressed you as coach?
We have spoken all summer about playing cohesively as a team – we executed that today. There are some trademarks which the coaching staff and players look for in the way we train and in our games an we saw signs of that against East Perth which really helped us control large passages of play. Our leadership group have been great in driving the standards and our coaching staff continue to drill down to educate the players.
Was the highest Colts score kicked by Subiaco in nearly five years, you have to go back to 2013 for the last instance of kicking more than 19 goals, was the offensive side of Friday’s game something you saw coming?
That’s pretty good then isn’t it. We have discussed the 50/50 rule a lot over summer, the boys know what that means, we have trained a lot on our skills to move the ball forward. I thought our field kicking, marking and link-up by handball was really strong on the back of our pressure. To kick 19 goals and share the load was great – it probably gives the players confidence that what we have been working on can yield great outcomes.
Equally pleasing was no doubt how well the goals were shared around. 11 guys kicked goals, with eight guys kicking two goals each. The ability to have a wide range of goal kicking options on Friday was no doubt a positive sign as well?
It was great – to share the workload. We also look at scores assists, they are as crucial to set-up the score as much as the person who ends up kicking the goal. I think Jack Mayo had 4 or 5? We encourage our mids to get dangerous in attack and our forwards really played their roles. We know that it’s not always going to work out that way, but if we put on strong pressure to win the ball and execute with our skills we give ourselves the opportunity.
At the other end of the ground new captain Madoc Plane seemed to lead really well and relish the chance to lead and instruct to his younger teammates, how did you see Madoc’s game?
Madoc is an outstanding character. I thought there were a few pivotal contests where we needed our defenders to stand up and he did this really well. I think the boys have grown in confidence around him and he certainly leads the way in his attack on the contest and pressure. All of our leaders have stood up, that’s the most pleasing aspect. Liam and Luke through the midfield – have been really tough. Caleb and Duane are growing in confidence in their roles, whilst Matt Pannell, hopefully returning over the next couple of weeks has been great at training and an educational support as the runner over the pre-season.
Really dominant performance in the middle of the ground, Will Hickmott, Liam Hickmott and Luke Foley all had 28 possessions, must have been pleased with how each of those boys imposed themselves on the contest?
The boys have had a great pre-season. Liam and Luke have both taken their games to another level and hopefully they get an opportunity at the state 18s level – certainly have the ability. Wil really showed some class on the weekend with his composure and execution by hand and foot. Our ability to win the contest was pivotal and it starts in the midfield.
Zane Shellabear-Healey was another who started the season strongly, interesting statline for Zane with 23 possessions, 22 coming via kicks, he certainly appeared to be a player that helped give you some drive throughout the game and had important moments throughout?
Real reward for effort. We have had many conversations about his application, ability to play role and be unselfish at times. To Zane’s credit he has really dedicated himself, matured and not only today but throughout the pre-season. He played his role today which was great. I think it is a bit of an anomaly with the stats, but the drive is important, taking field position is critical.
Couple of famous Subiaco names in Schofield and Georgiades hit the scoreboard with two goals each, another interesting dynamic of this side to have so many sons of famous fathers coming through the program?
Great young men, I think Christian Miller-Sabbioni also a father son (Paul Miller). To have that legacy throughout the club is great. The boys all earnt there positions with a lot of work. Taj has been training up with the colts all through the pre-season and has put some strong performances in the 16s and we felt he deserved his opportunity, he is strong in the contest and would be in the top 3 kicks in our team. Mitch has had an interrupted pre-season with cricket commitments at Hale but he shows a lot of class. His overhead marking and ability to read the game showed through today.
Next up against South Fremantle down at Fremantle, and with South Fremantle having the bye last week, do you approach the game any differently knowing that this will be their first game of the year, while you are somewhat more hardened from round one last week?
Another good challenge. We lost to them this time last year in a tough game. Our approach must be the same, and I just reiterated to the players that today was a good win, but we must continue to back it up and continue to improve.
Award Winners:
AE Hoskins Building and Maintenance Best Player – Luke Foley
Ladies Forum 2nd Best – Liam Hickmott
Topolinis Café 3rd Best – Zane Shellabear-Healey
Attvest Finance Players Lions Heart – Jack Mayo
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