New & Returning Faces Keen to Have Impact in 2019

As Subiaco prepare to embark on another season, a host of new and returning faces loom as important players as the club looks to repeat the feat of 2014 and 2015 with back to back premierships.

 

After retaining most of the senior squad from the dual 2018 league and reserves premiership sides, the focus was placed on adding high character individuals who could fit within the structure of Subiaco’s coach and player driven system.

 

Now, just three weeks away from the first bounce in the first game, Subiaco is motivated and ready, driven by its group of new players.

 

The highest profile recruit of Subiaco’s 2018-19 off-season was former Sydney Swans defender Harry Marsh.

 

After surprisingly being delisted at the end of the 2018 season, after playing 25 AFL matches, Marsh was keen to return home to Perth and set about getting a second chance in the AFL system.

 

With the proven history of Subiaco being able to offer a pathway to a second chance on an AFL list, Marsh was keen to join the Lions and immerse himself within the proud Subiaco club culture.

 

Coming in with high expectations of the Subiaco program, these expectations have been exceeded with Marsh liking the Subiaco pre-season to that of an AFL pre-season.

 

“The training standard of the senior group is unreal,” Marsh said.

 

“It is an incredibly professional program, driven by the coaches and senior players, it is something that is unique within footy.”

 

Marsh also recognised how the culture had been built, with team building activities the backbone of building strong team spirit and strong team culture.

 

“I have really enjoyed the team building and activities that we have done away from the footy field,” Marsh said.

 

“As someone coming into the program it helps bring you closer to the group.”

 

Another to echo the sentiment of Subiaco’s culture and driven standards is Jakeb Tartaglia, who after a couple of years in community football is back for a second opportunity at WAFL football after orginially playing with South Fremantle.

 

Tartaglia who was a highly regarded under age player and has been a part of successful teams in the past, says that Subiaco’s culture and standards are the best he has seen in his football career.

 

“You can see why the club has had the success it has had from the minute you walk in the door,” Tartaglia said.

 

“Everyone within the senior group is embraced and it feels great to be part of something where you have been made to feel so welcomed.”

 

Another player who has felt the support of the entire Subiaco Football Club in his first few months involved is Nixon Hamlet.

 

“The coaches and players have been so supportive coming into the club,” Hamlet said.

 

“You expected a high standard and it has delivered on that and I think it is something that will be great for my footy being involved with.

 

A late arrival to the club for the 2019 season was Matt Grubelich who has strongly integrated into the group and has shown versatility in his opening weeks with the club.

 

Grubelich has been instantly impressed with the high standards that the playing group set for themselves.

 

“The intensity of training is amazing and you can see why the program has had success,” Grubelich said.

 

“I have really felt welcomed by the group and it has been a great challenge to meet the standards of the rest of the boys.”

 

Of the returning players Simon Moore is one who has noticed a real change from the youth of the list.

 

“Probably the big difference coming back into the program is how hungry the young guys are,” Moore said.

 

“There is a real energy amongst the younger guys on the list to make an impact with the senior squad and play league football.”

 

While he was still around the squad during 2018, Joel Latham has also noticed the hunger that exists within the group.

 

“Probably the standard is as high as your remember it from past pre-seasons,” Latham said.

 

“But the competition amongst the squad is great and there is a real challenge there to make sure you bring your best effort to every session.”

 

Subiaco is set to see these new and returning faces when they face East Perth in Round One on Saturday April 6^th.