The 50 Game Journey of Justin Joyce

It is hard to imagine a more winding journey to 50 WAFL League games than the one that Subiaco midfielder Justin Joyce has taken.

 

After debuting fresh from the Subiaco Colts midway through 2011, it has taken Joyce over seven years to achieve this 50 game milestone.

 

His story is one of dedication, sacrifice and above all else, having fun with a group of blokes that you respect and admire.

 

The start to Joyce’s Subiaco League career could not have been any better, Joyce was an addition to the side for club legend Darren Rumble’s 150^th game, at Leederville Oval against co-tenant rivals East Perth.

 

Subiaco would record a convincing 42 point win in game number one for Joyce with the young budding star having 23 disposals and kicking a goal on debut.

 

It was a momentous first game and one that Joyce continues to look back fondly on.

 

“The senior boys were so supportive right from game one and it was so special to be part of Rumble’s 150^th,” Joyce said.

 

“That first game was incredible, I remember the last quarter going 38 minutes and I’d only been playing 25 minutes in Colts, so it was a massive change.”

 

Joyce played six games in 2011 and was a big part of a mid-season turnaround that saw the Lions rise from near the bottom of the table to play in a Grand Final.

Sadly Joyce’s first season was an indication of what was to come as he battled injury and illness to end that first season with this injury plague something that persisted through 2012 and 2013.

 

Joyce continued to show the dedication that would define his career though and bounced back, playing 15 games in 2014, though he did miss Grand Final selection after playing in the Preliminary Final.

 

Showing what a true team player Joyce is, when he looks back on that 2014 Grand Final he has nothing but excitement for what his teammates achieved.

 

“The high of my Subi career so far has actually been the 2014 Grand Final win,” Joyce said.

 

“Being up in the stands and watching as the boys got a run in the third quarter and you knew they were going to win it, was an incredible feeling and something that still remains with me.”

 

Joyce took time away from Subiaco across 2015 and 2016, but said this was both a time where he fell back in love with footy and realised how special the friendships and relationships that he had at the Subiaco Football Club.

 

“I went to Wayde Twomey’s 30^th and it was just a moment where I realised how much I missed playing football with these boys and being around them for training and games,” Joyce said.

 

Recommitted for 2017, Joyce played a career best 18 games of league footy, crediting league coach Jarrad Schofield for his assistance in improving his own self-belief and confidence in his game.

 

“Schoey has been great supporting me as a player and a person,” Joyce said.

 

“He has just really focused with me on keeping things simple and not overthinking the game and my role too much.”

 

Joyce has the upmost respect for Schofield as a coach, highlighting the traits which he believes make him an outstanding coach.

 

“He is just so knowledgeable about the game and he always seems to be thinking a step ahead,” Joyce said.

 

“The other thing not a lot of people see is the real passion Schoey has for his players, as he has this really great ability to get the best out of everyone.”

 

As for teammates, Joyce singles out one, Kyal Horsley, for both his willingness to support Joyce as an individual and the feats he has achieved over the past eight years to lead the Lions.

 

“Even from my first season in senior football, Kyal has challenged me to be a better player,” Joyce said.

 

“Some of the things I have seen him do where he has single handily won games of footy for our club, shows exactly how great a player and inspirational person he is.”

 

A member of the Subiaco Leadership Group, this both indicates Joyce’s place amongst his peers as well as his ability to support the Subiaco culture and the Subiaco way.

 

“I always remember how supportive the senior players were to me when I started, so I have always relished the chance to return that support to our young players,” Joyce said.

 

Looking back on the 50 games, Joyce is proud of the journey he has taken to get to the milestone while also positive in reflecting on the journey he has taken as a footballer and young man over the past seven years.

 

For Joyce, the Subiaco Football Club and what it stands for hits at his very core.

This is a club that supports each other, inspires each other to achieve great things and has a real belief in friendship, mateship and enjoyment for each other and the game.

 

“Given the time it has taken to get to 50 games, it is something to be proud of, but there are bigger achievements for myself and us as a team,” Joyce said.

 

“100% wanna win a premiership with this club.”