Top 10 Players of 2018 So Far (7-4)

The countdown of the fan voted best 10 Subiaco league players of 2018 so far continues, as today players seven through to four in the countdown are revealed.

 

Today’s countdown represents a little bit of everything of the Subiaco squad.

 

A high profiled recruit arguably having a best ever season, a veteran defender who continues to excel, a budding leader who is having a career best year and a midfielder who continues to be at the engine of the Subiaco midfield.

These are players seven through to four of our countdown revealed.

 

 

7. Aaron Heal (60% of fan vote)

15 possessions per game, 5 marks per game, 3 rebound 50s per game

 

Heal has again proven himself to be one the most versatile and outstanding defenders of the Subiaco backline as well as the whole WAFL competition with another strong start to 2018.

 

So far in 2018, Heal is averaging a career high in kicks, possessions, marks and contested marks. His ability to both outpoint a direct opponent while also his ability to read the game and impact other contests in the back half are key components of the Subiaco defensive group.

 

Heal had a career high 28 possessions in Round 12, has passed 20 possessions twice and only has one game of single digit possessions highlighting the model of consistency that Heal is for the Subiaco defence.

 

 

6. Zac Clarke

15 possessions per game, 35 hit-outs per game, 14 goals for season

 

One of the big difference makers for Subiaco in 2018 has been recruit Zac Clarke. After a disappointing final 18 months at AFL listed Fremantle, Clarke came to Subiaco to prove he still had the fitness and skill to perform at an elite level. Clarke is doing just that, as the WAFL’s premier ruckman in 2018.

 

After working his way into the season, Clarke has seen his ruck and midfield time grow over recent weeks and his statistics have grown with it. Clarke had 51 hitouts to go with 17 possessions in a Round 13 win, while also had 44 hit-outs and 12 possessions with 8 tackles in Subiaco’s most recent win.

 

Importantly Clarke is hitting the scoreboard regularly having kicked 14 goals on the season and having kicked a goal in 10 matches so far this year. If Clarke can continue to produce the form he has recently shown, he could be the key difference maker the club needs as the Lions aim for the 2018 premiership.

 

 

5. Leigh Kitchin

25 possessions per game, 8 clearances per game, 5 tackles per game

 

The reigning Outridge Medal winner has backed up an outstanding 2017 season with arguably an even more significant one for Subiaco in 2018. Kitchin in his fourth season with the Lions has averaged career highs in possessions, handballs, contested ball and clearances.

 

Significantly, Kitchin appears to have been prepared to work his own game around additions to the midfield, especially on the inside at contests where he is picking up career high numbers at the stoppages.

 

After a slow first couple of weeks, Kitchin has recorded over 20 possessions in every game, highlighted by a 37 possession game in a Round 12 victory. Kitchin’s ability to be able to both win the ball around the contest and use his speed on the outside will become even more important as finals time approaches.

 

 

4. Hayden Kennedy

21 possessions per game, 5 marks per game, 4 inside 50s per game

 

Arguably the most improved player of Subiaco in 2018 has been Hayden Kennedy who has thrived with an additional attacking licence this year. Kennedy has often been highly regarded within the Subiaco system, but has battled injury to show his best form. Kennedy has gotten that clean run with injury this year and is showing his value as a rapidly improving WAFL defender.

 

Kennedy is averaging career highs almost across the board, but the two significant areas are increasing his kicks to 16 per game, up from a career average of 11 and his inside 50 entries, both indicating his ability to show some dash and attack from behind the ball.

 

After fighting his way back to play in the 2017 WAFL Grand Final, Kennedy is one of a number of players who are desperate to return to the Grand Final stage to show the output that has so far defined his 2018 season. 

 

 

 

Check in tomorrow for the conclusion of the countdown, including three, two and one in the fan vote.