Subiaco Seven Set for Sandover Showdown

While Subiaco captain Kyal Horsley rightly heads into Monday’s Sandover Medal count as the hot favourite, Subiaco has up to seven players who could poll over 20 votes, potentially creating a historic first on Sandover Medal night.

 

A midfield fab four quartet of Horsley, Josh Deluca, Leigh Kitchin and Chris Phelan; two dominant talls in Zac Clarke and Lachlan Delahunty; and a driving defender in Hayden Kennedy could all be expected to pick up big vote tallies in Monday’s count.

 

Subiaco’s unprecedented 2018 run where they won every game by an average winning margin of in excess of 10 goals, means that high vote numbers could be expected from Subiaco’s players.

 

Where those votes will come was a matter of the umpires, but consider these some of the big chances for votes for Subiaco’s seven.

 

ZAC CLARKE

Predicted Vote Count: 21 votes

Predicted 5 Vote Games: Round 20 V East Fremantle

 

Clarke has been one of the recruits of the season in the WAFL giving Subiaco an added presence in the ruck and around stoppages. After 18 months out of the game, Clarke slowly worked back into the 2018 season, but his second half has been irresistible. Clarke has been dominant in the air in the past three months and has shown off the athleticism that saw him excel at AFL level. Expect him to come home with a flurry of votes, especially his last two games which were among his best.

 

 

LACHLAN DELAHUNTY

Predicted Vote Count: 36 votes

Predicted 5 Vote Games: Round 18 V Swan Districts

 

Delahunty has thrived in a slightly varied role in 2018, enjoying the freedom of more time forward and as a roaming option around the ground. Delahunty has done a bit of everything all year, kicking goals, having big possession games and still having an impact in stints in the ruck. His big numbers across the year could see him give the Sandover Medal night a shake.

 

 

JOSH DELUCA

Predicted Vote Count: 33 votes

Predicted 5 Vote Games: Round 2 V South Fremantle, Round 13 V West Perth, Round 19 V West Perth

 

Deluca alongside Clarke has been a standout recruit for Subiaco in 2018. Deluca has become one of the premier inside midfielders of the Subiaco side and WAFL competition, both proving to be an outstanding ball winner as well as an outstanding tackler. Deluca’s ability to win the contested ball has given another option through the midfield. If not for a three game suspension early in the year, Deluca would be a good smokie for the count.

 

 

KYAL HORSLEY

Predicted Vote Count: 51 votes

Predicted 5 Vote Games: Round 1 V East Perth, Round 6 V West Perth, Round 7 V Peel, Round 10 V East Fremantle, Round 12 V Swans, Round 21 V Perth

 

Horsley is the overwhelming favourite heading into the 2018 Sandover Medal count after producing his finest season as a Subiaco player. Horsley has both led his team with distinction through adversity and has performed individually at an elite level. Whether winning his own ball, setting up forward play or working back to assist in defence, Horsley has done it all for Subiaco in 2018. His first half of the season was outstanding and is a legitimate chance to poll in his first 10 games of 2018 such was his dominance.

 

 

HAYDEN KENNEDY

Predicted Vote Count: 20 votes

Predicted 5 Vote Games: Round 3 V Swans, Round 16 V South Fremantle

 

Kennedy has had a breakout season for Subiaco, keeping his body fit for an entire season and elevating his play as a premier rebound small defender in the WAFL competition. Kennedy has added a greater offensive set to his game in 2018 working himself further up the ground to have that greater impact. Had a couple of standout games early and mid-season where he could pick up top vote games.

 

 

LEIGH KITCHIN

Predicted Vote Count: 26 votes

Predicted 5 Vote Games: Round 14 V Peel

 

Kitchin the reigning Outridge Medal winner has had a typically strong 2018 campaign. After a slow first couple of weeks, Kitchin has been the model of consistency, doing a variety of roles for the Subiaco midfield. His middle of the season was his best patch of form and expect him to pick up big votes through the middle and into the second half of the year.

 

 

CHRIS PHELAN

Predicted Vote Count: 25 votes

Predicted 5 Vote Games: Round 4 V Claremont, Round 8 V Perth, Round 11 V East Perth

 

Phelan now on the other side of 30, and passed 165 games has showed no signs of slowing down, continuing to produce for the Subiaco midfield. Once again in 2018, Phelan has thrived in the wet, with two of his best games coming in wet weather conditions that should see him collect more Sandover Medal votes. Phelan is another midfielder who continues to play multiple roles for the team and adds important leadership on the field.

 

 

Stay tuned to Subiaco’s Social Media Channels on Sandover Medal night for all the updates from what promises to be another exciting night.