Top 10 Moments of 2018 So Far

With Subiaco nearing in on the halfway point of their 2018 season and having the bye this weekend, it is an ideal opportunity to look back at the first half of the season with some of the most memorable moments in what has been a strong start to the season for Subiaco both on field and off field.

From the standout performers to the surprises and the tragedies of the season so far, these are the 10 unforgettable moments of 2018 so far.

10. GOOD FRIDAY, GREAT FRIDAY

The season started with a bang for Subiaco, as the opening game of the season in the marquee Good Friday match with East Perth saw the Lions produce a stunning offensive performance. Subiaco kicked 29 goals in their first game of 2018, defeating their co-tenant rivals by 118 points. The massive score was a recent record and the big winning margin was another recent record over East Perth. The great day was highlighted with all four grades, league, reserves, colts and 16’s all having wins over East Perth.

9. DELUCA BANNED FOR THREE

In the most disappointing subplot of the 2018 season so far for Subiaco, Josh Deluca suffered a three game suspension following the Thursday night clash with Claremont. Deluca had made a strong start in his first season back with the Lions since 2014, but has been forced out of the last six weeks of action due to Subiaco having three byes in recent weeks. Deluca looms as a pivotal inclusion when Subiaco’s season reignites next Saturday against East Fremantle.

8. LIONS HAVE BIG IMPACT IN WA STATE WIN

Subiaco’s impressive first two months of the season saw the club rewarded with eight players in the WA team that defeated SA in Adelaide in early May. On top of the eight players selected, Subiaco had another two players selected in the initial squad with another four within consideration, meaning nearly two thirds of the Lions team was recognised as being standouts of the 2018 season. Kyal Horsley, Leigh Kitchin, Lachlan Delahunty, Aaron Heal, Angus Litherland, Brad Stevenson, Rhys Waters and Chris Phelan were the eight Subiaco representatives in 2018, with Ben Sokol and Jordan Lockyer very unlucky to miss selection. Subiaco captain Kyal Horsley was once again the victorious WA state captain and all eight Lions had an impact in the 26 point WA win.

7. OFF-FIELD SUCCESS CONTINUES

Despite a difficult market for community sport, Subiaco remains a force off-field and a proactive approach has continued to pay rewards. The 2018 season has seen Subiaco bring on 14 new Corporate Partners to the club and continue to lead the way towards communication and promotion in the WAFL competition. The club has successfully launched four Donation Programs, a new Membership Matters Reward Program, a new AFL hospitality partnership, a new Premier’s Club and a revamped website with additional video and written content. While the challenges continue to come, there have been a number of off-field successes so far in 2018.

6. SUBIACO WOMEN GET CHANCE TO SHINE

The Coastal Titans partnership with the Subiaco Football Club was more formally recognised ahead of the 2018 season with the Lions ladies officially becoming the Subiaco Football Club Women’s team. That new partnership has seen the Subiaco Women play four games at Leederville Oval so far in 2018. The girls were able to shine under lights on a Friday night and have had two full fixture days at Leederville Oval with all three grades playing on back to back Sunday’s in May. While the Lions ladies have yet to have a strong on field impact, look for them to bounceback strongly in the second half of the year.

5. HOME CROWD SUPPORT FOR LIONS

With 32 games of the WAFL season now completed, significantly Subiaco has bucked a competition wide trend of decreasing crowds averaging 2,298 fans at their four home games so far in 2018. Subiaco has hosted three of the highest five crowds so far in 2018, including the WAFL’s season high of 3,142 on Good Friday. 9,194 people have come through the Leederville Oval gates to watch Subiaco so far in 2018. With Member Appreciation, Family Fun Day, Ladies Day, NAIDOC Day and Reunion Day features still to come, Subiaco is well placed to finish number one for home attendances in 2018.

4. LOCAL PRODUCTS GIVEN A CHANCE

Despite sitting on top of the ladder, Subiaco has continued to reward dedication and best prepare their list for current and future success with a host of local products debuting in 2018 so far. Country trio Jacob Miller, Ryan Borchet and Ethan Burnett all debuted in the opening fortnight of the season while McKenzie Lawrence a product from Warwick-Greenwood has also debuted this year. While injury has impacted Borchet and Burnett’s seasons, Miller has proven to be an integral part of a strong Subiaco defence in 2018.

3. LIFE MEMBERS WELCOMED

Veterans and modern day greats of the Subiaco Football Club in Chris Phelan and Kyal Horsley both earned life membership when they played their 150^th games in the 2017 season. Horsley and Phelan were officially welcomed to the Life Members Club at the 2018 Life Members Dinner where both made heartfelt speeches on their careers as Subiaco players. It was a great night for the club, with over 50 Life Members in the room to welcome the two new additions.

2. GRAND FINAL REMATCH THRASHING

It was billed as one of the blockbuster matches of the first half of the season, as the Round Seven clash between Subiaco and Peel was the Channel 7 televised game, and first chance for last year’s Grand Finallist to lock horns. While Peel started strongly with three early goals, it was all Subiaco from that point on as the Lions kicked 21 of the last 25 goals of the game. Stung by the twin losses of the 2016 and 2017 Grand Finals, Subiaco were intent on making a statement on their Grand Final opponents and the competition. That statement was made, now the Lions continue to have one eye on September and making a bigger statement during finals.

1. VALE YARRAN & ORSI

Sadly for the Subiaco Football Club, the two most significant moments of the season were the deaths of former premiership player Shane Yarran and former premiership assistant coach Wayne Orsi. Both passings were felt by the Subiaco playing group and wider Subiaco community, with Yarran and Orsi both respected members of the football club. Consecutive wins over West Perth and Peel had the overtones of these individual losses, with in each example the Subiaco players rallying for beloved members of the club.