Colt Corner with Beau Wardman - Round 2

The Subiaco Colts remained in top spot on the WAFL Colts ladder for a second straight week after recording a convincing win over South Fremantle at Fremantle Oval.

 

Colts coach Beau Wardman checks in for his weekly update of the Subiaco Colts program, who has been instrumental behind the start, and why they are embracing a top of the table clash this week.

 

Beau, another good performance and a win that showed some nice signs of maturity as the boys overcame some spirited fightbacks from South Fremantle to record a reasonably comfortable 44 point win, initial thoughts on the win?

 

We knew South Fremantle was going to be a big challenge this week. They are well coached and have a good spread of talent. The pressure was certainly strong early, from both teams, they didn’t allow us as much time as space that we got in round 1. The most pleasing aspect was we were able to stick to our process for long periods of time, thats something we spoke about pre-game. Eventually the margin broke open, it felt closer than that. The boys have certainly shown great resilience and maturity as you say, full credit to them, they really earned this victory. 

 

 

You seem to be doing a good job of creating some confusion with midfielders swapping forward and impacting the scoreboard, must be pleasing to have your midfielders be able to hit the scoreboard?

 

As a coaching group we want to expose our players to multiple positions and we have started to do this at training and in games. It gives us great flexibility in games with all players being able to fill a role. I think everyone likes to kick a goal and we encourage our players to push forward when the opportunity is right and impact. Some have rotated forward and we have witnessed their marking and crumbing craft to good effect across the first couple of rounds. Hosko has done a good job implementing some forward structures which the players have bought into and we are seeing positive outcomes from that. 

 

 

Another big game from Luke Foley, he has started the season very strongly with two consecutive games of 28 possessions and two goals, how have you seen Luke's performances?

 

Luke really works hard on the training track. Its not surprising he is getting the on-field results. Its pleasing it has transferred, sometimes you can work hard without consistent rewards, he probably had a bit of that last year. He is professional in his preparation. He has shown his ability as a link-up midfielder, and also up forward, strong overhead and a penetrating kick.

 

 

Mentioned it last week, but again the composed performances from Duane Oxenham-Smith and Madoc Plane in defence adds an important element for the team, they both had important moments in the second half when South Fremantle threatened?

 

Duane was quite exciting this week with his run off half-back, its something we have been working at with him. Both of the boys, our whole backline has really linked up well and they have been aggressive with their defence. Chayce Creedy has them working well as a unit with courage to come off and assist and being predictable to each other.

 

 

Jack Mayo and Taj Schofield each kicked three goals, you mentioned Mayo’s efforts in setting up goals last week, must have been nice to see him get some goal kicking reward, while Schofield is showing impressive signs for such a young player?

 

Great for them to be hitting the scoreboard. Taj was really creative to set-up some opportunities, his first from the pocket was a terrific set-shot. Jack has worked hard both weeks and set-up three or four last week. Having missed so much footy over the last couple of years I think he is enjoying the challenge each week and being back out there contributing. We ask our forwards to keep presenting and getting to areas. 

 

 

Second weekend in a row that Xavier Peacock and Mach Deng have combined to really give you a sense of dominance in the ruck, how have you seen the advantage the ruck tandem that Peacock and Deng are producing?

 

The boys are getting their hands on the ball well. We didn’t quite get an ascendancy in the centre this week that we would have liked, however will review that. Mach and Xavier have really worked hard on their repeat efforts, following up at ground level and around the ground. I am looking forward to their continued growth. 

 

 

You started last season strongly as well, is there a sense of difference with this group, that they are keen to make the most of what has been a strong start to the year?

 

We have had a good pre-season - I think most teams do this. As a coaching group we really concentrated on some specific areas over the summer and I think they are starting to come through. The playing group have really bought in. We have a number of guys who have missed out on selection in the first couple of weeks, hopefully they remain hungry and are prepared to come in over the coming weeks to maintain our trademarks. There is a real sense within the group to improve as a team and individually, the club has a strong culture of success on the back of hard work, nothing comes easy and we are endeavouring to teach our group this. 

 

 

Might seem a bit unusual to say this early in the season, but there are dual top of the table clashes between Subiaco and Swans in both league and colts games next weekend, is it exciting to again test yourselves against what will likely be one of the benchmark sides in 2018?

 

Definitely exciting, a bit of an anomaly this early in the season, but its a position Subiaco hasn’t been in for a long time at Colts level so thats exciting for the group. We know this week is no different to last or to next, its an opportunity to showcase our ability to play team football, execute our skills and compete strongly. I think Swans had over 90 tackles today against Peel - they will be really tough in the contest, something we will need to absorb and be strong at. 

 

 

You have had a settled team for the first couple of weeks of the season, any changes to be expected for next weekend, or will continue to run with the team that has done the job over the opening fortnight?

 

We have been fortunate with no injuries over the last couple of weeks and the players have shown good form in executing our plans and playing their roles, that makes it competitive for positions. It also means when guys get an opportunity they need to have a high output. There may be a couple of changes next week, I think we get Matt Pannell back after a solid 6 weeks back in full training, there are a couple who have been close who will come under strong consideration also. Selection this week will be interesting.