Belief the Key as Leach makes League Debut

Young Subiaco midfielder Daniel Leach made a long awaited league debut last Saturday, lining up for the first time as the Lions league side battled Claremont.

 

It was the culmination of a whirlwind 18 months of hard work for Leach who joined Subiaco for the commencement of the 2017 pre-season and has integrated himself as one of the popular figures of the senior team since.

 

Indeed, one only needed to look at Leach running onto the ground as a Subiaco league player for the first time, and the positive reaction it gathered from his Reserves teammates to see his standing within the playing group.

 

Game number one was a successful one for Leach as he played his role and Subiaco recorded a memorable come from behind three-point win at Claremont Oval.

 

“I just tried to treat it like a normal game, but it certainly was nice to get the win at the end of it,” Leach said.

 

“I think the moment that sticks out the most was just all the Reserves boys getting around me as I went out onto the ground, pretty surreal feeling, but a great one to look back on.”

 

The reigning Blakemore Medallist, awarded to Subiaco’s Reserves Fairest & Best, Leach had become Subiaco’s most consistent Reserves player across 2017 and 2018, playing 35 of a possible 37 games and regularly being named in the sides best.

 

His first season as a Subiaco player saw him average 19 possessions and five tackles a contest, before improving significantly in 2018, averaging over 25 possessions and over six tackles a game in 13 matches.

 

Leach was named in Subiaco’s 25 man squad on eight occasions before finally getting his opportunity, but it was his unwavering self-belief that meant he was always confident his time, and opportunity would come.

 

“I have pretty high expectations of myself and I just had belief that if I kept knocking on the door, that I would open up an opportunity for myself,” Leach said.

 

Some of that self-belief and drive can be traced back to his first WAFL experience, when he was a member of the 2011 East Fremantle Colts.

 

“When I was younger I did a pre-season with East Fremantle, but walked away at the end of it,” Leach said.

 

“It was a real regret that I had that I didn’t make the most of that opportunity and since than I have always wanted to play my footy with no regrets.”

 

Following his first WAFL experience, Leach returned to his hometown Geraldton, completing an apprenticeship with Western Power, and becoming a star of country footy with local Geraldton side Brigades.

 

Leach would go on to win country premierships, be a member of country representative sides and be a consistent threat in association voting.

 

Nearing the end of his apprenticeship at the end of 2016, Leach made the decision to move to Perth and pursue his football at the higher standard of WAFL football.

 

What club Leach would play with in Perth, took a fateful turn with a casual discussion with a softball mate.

 

“Initially I was looking to play for Perth, but a friend mentioned his dad had ties with Subiaco and next thing Jarrad Schofield was calling me up,” Leach said.

 

“My pop’s dad actually played at Subiaco, so it certainly felt like there was a strong reason to come and play with Subi and it has been the best thing for my footy being around this great club and its great culture.”

 

The first weeks of pre-season were brutal for Leach, but he continued to work at improving his game, improve his fitness and showing the first signs of self-belief that were instrumental in fighting for a debut league match.

 

“I lost 10kgs in my first week in pre-season,” Leach said.  

 

The hard work of that first pre-season was rewarded in the 2017 finals series as the Subiaco Reserves claimed an unlikely premiership over highly fancied South Fremantle with Leach playing an important role in the win.

 

Alongside his debut game, Leach sees being a part of that premiership win as his two best achievements so far at Subiaco.

 

“After South Freo beat us in the Second Semi pretty easily, it was pretty incredible to come out in the Grand Final and play the way we did, it was a real special day,” Leach said.

 

As for Leach’s number one fan, look no further than his mum Linda who has continued to support her son, all with the same belief that has defined Daniel.

 

The first phone call that he made after being given the exciting news of a league debut was to mum, enjoying the moment to be able to share the news and moment.

 

“I think she was already booking her flight down from Geraldton to watch my debut game while I was still on the phone to her,” Leach said.

 

“She has been great supporting my footy and it was nice to have her as part of the day.”

 

It was a big contingent of family and friends at Claremont Oval last Saturday, all keen to share in a special moment for Daniel, with the support of his family and friends not being lost on Subiaco’s newest league player.

 

That first taste of league football has only heightened Leach’s belief that he can compete at WAFL league level.

 

He is a young man driven to make a mark for Subiaco, that belief in a hardworking body is a powerful thing.