Leach & Hickmott Recognised as WAFL's Best & Fairest

Subiaco midfielders Daniel Leach and Liam Hickmott were each recognised for outstanding 2018 seasons by winning the Prendergast Medal and Jack Clarke Medal respectively.

 

Each Leach and Hickmott were on hand at the 2018 Sandover Medal night where they were announced as winners and received their respective awards.

 

For Leach it was a fitting reward after two seasons of both outstanding and consistent play with Subiaco after making the move to the Lions from Geraldton.

 

A year after winning the Blakemore Medal as the Subiaco Reserves Best & Fairest, Leach elevated his game again in 2018, averaging over 25 possessions and six tackles per game.

 

More important than the statistics, Leach’s thirst for the contest and unrelenting willingness to perform for his team, made him a key leader of the Subiaco reserves side.

 

Leach racked up over 30 disposals in five games, having a career high 36 disposals in round 12 while also having 30 disposals and kicking two goals in Round Six against West Perth.

 

Leach’s consistent performances at reserves level saw him win league selection, debuting in Round 17 against Claremont and playing two WAFL league games.

 

Meanwhile for Hickmott, after claiming the Taylor Medal as Subiaco’s best Colts player in 2017, the Subiaco midfielder was even better in 2018 as he took on more midfield responsibility and more leadership within the team, helping lift the Subiaco colts to the top of the table.

 

After averaging 18 disposals a game in 2017, Hickmott grew his output to over 25 disposals a game in 2018, with his tackling pressure even more noticeable, averaging over seven tackles a game.

 

Some of Hickmott’s dominant performances of the season came in round eight against Perth where he had 38 disposals and 10 tackles, round 18 against Swans 35 disposal and six tackles and round 19 against West Perth with 35 disposals and nine tackles.

 

A model of consistency Hickmott had at least 17 disposals in every game, and reached at least four tackles in every game bar one.

 

Hickmott was the one constant of a changing Subiaco midfield brigade as while his teammates missed due to a mix of state selection and injury, week in, week out, Hickmott was on hand to lead the Subiaco midfield.

 

Hickmott who is the son of former Carlton and Geelong player Adrian Hickmott has continued to grow in his time spent in the Subiaco Colts system developing under Subiaco Colts Coach Beau Wardman.

 

In an impressive performance from the Subiaco Colts in the Jack Clarke Medal count, they had three of the top four vote getters in the count.

 

Hickmott won the count with 40 votes while midfield teammate Tristan Hobley finished second on 35 votes.

 

Jack Mayo’s outstanding season as a key forward saw him finish tied for third on 34 votes, with Mayo also being recognised by taking out the WAFL Colts leading goal kicker in 2018.

 

It was a big night for Subiaco as along with Leach and Hickmott’s wins, Subiaco saw other key figures of the club recognised.

 

Subiaco President was officially welcome to the Life Member Group of the WAFL with his dedication to WAFL football for over 30 years being recognised.

 

Meanwhile Subiaco senior coach Jarrad Schofield took out the JJ Leonard Medal awarded to the best WAFL Coach in 2018.

 

This was the second win for Schofield after he also claimed the award back in 2015.

 

In the main count of the night, the Sandover Medal, Subiaco captain Kyal Horsley recorded his second runner-up placing in the count, finishing on 47 votes, five behind winner Jye Bolton.

 

Horsley surprisingly received only nine votes in the first four Subiaco games of 2018, despite being internally regarded as the sides best player in these first four games.

 

Horsley maintained pace with Bolton in a back and forward count, however was just pipped out in the final two rounds.

 

Behind Horsley, versatile Subiaco big man Lachlan Delahunty had a second consecutive strong count, ending up in third place.

 

Josh Deluca also finished with a top seven spot, polling past 30 votes, with three others Zac Clarke, Leigh Kitchin and Hayden Kennedy all polling above 20 votes.

 

Subiaco’s unbeaten 2018 meant it set records by polling top votes in 17 of 18 games and polling over 85% of votes in their 18 games.

 

After finishing top of the ladder in all three grades Subiaco were the resounding winners of the Rodriguez Shield, awarded to the best club of the season.

 

This was the second consecutive Rodriguez win for Subiaco as a fitting reward for the hard work and efforts of all players, volunteers, support staff and coaches at the club.