Reserved - Round 10, 2018

After winning their last two matches, the Subiaco Reserves are starting to find form after a slow start to the season.

The boys enjoyed another bye at the weekend just gone, but things will get significantly tougher from this point with a block of six games set to commence against East Fremantle on Saturday followed by another block of seven games leading into the 2018 WAFL finals.

Reserves Coach Matt Cavedon checked in with his regular segment with an update of how the Subiaco Reserves are progressing nearing the half way point of the year.

Find out who is flying on the track, who is excelling in games and which areas the team is trying to improve and develop as they look towards a repeat late in 2018. 

Matt, good bounceback performance from your boys in the past fortnight, with two wins where you were really able to control and dictate the matches against both Peel and Perth?

It’s been a positive fortnight. After a really disappointing loss to West Perth the boys have really responded and shown some improvement in our intent around the contest and our method.

Anything positive standout for you that would be the reason behind these two latest wins?

We have a focus on connection between our lines and our ball movement to the forwards. We think we have made some key improvements in this area the past two games.

Somewhat unusual scorelines in those two wins, down at Peel you score 14.4, following up with 11.18 against Perth, was it simply conditions, or another factor the boys were so good in front of goal against Peel than regressed against Perth?

The positive is they are both pretty healthy scorelines, indicating a high number of forward entries and opportunities. The 11.18 against Perth can be put down to the wet and windy conditions at Lathlain on that day.

You have had some pretty handy players come in and make an impact the last two weeks, how important have players like Daniel Perkins, Craig Hoskins and Ryan Borchet been?

It’s fantastic to have Senior Players with League experience applying their craft in the Development side. It is not only their playing ability. They bring some great experience and leadership. It is really noticeable in terms of our on-field adherence to structure as a group.

With the league team going so well, how do you manage that expectation among players who are playing good Reserves football, but probably aren’t getting as many league chances as they would be like?

I think Jarrad Schofield has created an environment where open & honest feedback is consistent and encouraged. All club coaches are open in their feedback and we ensure that the messaging is accurate. All players should understand where they are at and it is about being ready when an opportunity presents. Despite the club being so successful in recent years, I have been really impressed at the clubs willingness to play debutants and McKenzie Lawrence performance on debut last week highlights we have some really good talent in the Development Squad.

Much has been made of the league debutants in 2018, but worth noting at Reserves level you continue to give opportunities as well, another Colts player of 2017 getting a chance in the past two weeks in Liam Connolly, how have you seen Connolly’s performance coming in?

Liam is a quality young man. I have been impressed with Liam’s dedication through an injury interrupted pre-season. Liam’s form is improving as he continues to acclimatise to the requirements of WAFL senior football. Liam has a really promising future

Jack Fletcher is another who has debuted with the club in the past few weeks, what have you made of Fletcher’s performance so far after an injury interrupted pre-season?

Jack is a big bodied ruck man, he has completely transformed his physique since arriving at Subiaco under the S&C staff. After having a real injury interrupted start to the year Jack is still finding his feet and developing synergy with the midfield group. The improvement was really evident against Perth.

Seems like everytime we talk, it is about another bye, is this one any different knowing from this point on the boys have 13 games in 14 weeks before finals, it really appears to be one of the last chances for the boys to refresh before the season really ramps up?

Yes, it’s been a challenging stop/start beginning to the year in terms of maintaining continuity. In Development we’ve tried to maximise this time from an educational perspective. 13 games in 14 weeks sounds like a lot but I’m sure it will go quick. 

East Fremantle this week, and while they have struggled in recent weeks, no doubt you will be expecting another tough encounter in that game?

I think every game is tough in Development footy as there is a flux of players in and out of the sides through injury and league opportunities. We played East Fremantle in our trial matches and they certainly have some quality young talent in their group.