Subiaco Start Premiership Defence with East Perth Battle

Subiaco will commence their 2019 WAFL Premiership Season campaign with a highly anticipated battle with East Perth.

After claiming the 2018 premiership, Subiaco start their premiership title defence against a new look East Perth team that ended their alliance with West Coast at the conclusion of the 2018 season.

The battle between co-tenants is one of the must attend matches of the 2019 season, historic with Subiaco raising their three premiership flags of 2018 and East Perth as a fully stand-alone club for the first time since 2012.

It will be a new look Subiaco side, with a new league coach in Beau Wardman and new faces included in the squad, with Harry Marsh and Jack Beverley in line for Subiaco league debuts.

The game will be broadcast live on 91.3SportFM from 1.45pm on Saturday with live updates across the day on Subiaco’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts.

GAME CHANGERS

FIRST CHANCE FOR BEAU & HIS BOYS

An off-season of change is highlighted with Beau Wardman taking over from outgoing three time premiership coach Jarrad Schofield. Wardman who was highly regarded internally at Subiaco after an impressive two year stint with the colts and talent programs, was the obvious candidate to replace Schofield at the end of 2018. Wardman has allowed the program to seamlessly evolve in his first six months in charge, with Saturday the first opportunity to show members that this 2019 version of Subiaco is just as desperate and hungry as previous squads.

MARSH ADDS TO DEFENSIVE RICHES

Already blessed with one of the strongest defensive units in state league football, Subiaco built on that strength with the recruitment of Harry Marsh. The solidly built Marsh showed plenty of promise in his time with Sydney and has fitted in strongly to Subiaco’s defensive unit. Through pre-season action Marsh’s skills by foot and ability to read the game have been among the most promising signs for the Lions.

HOME & AWAY STREAK BACK ON THE LINE

Subiaco has not lost a home and away season match since Round 1 of 2017, when they were beaten by South Fremantle. That was on March 18 of 2017 with Subiaco having won 37 straight home and away season games since that point. That streak will likely come to an end at some point during 2019, with a distinct target on the back of Subiaco as nine opponents look to claim their scalp.

NEW LOOK RUCK

After dominating the 2018 WAFL season, it was no surprise to see Zac Clarke get a deserved second chance at AFL level. The fight for the ruck position has been one of the most watched battles during Subiaco’s pre-season, with Tim Sutherland to get first opportunity as Subiaco’s ruck. Sutherland will get support in the air from the versatile Lachlan Delahunty who continues to be the most dangerous big man in WAFL football.

LIMITED TURNOVER

After premiership wins in 2014 and 2015, Subiaco had as many as 13 players missing from those premiership sides by round one of the next year. In an impressive performance by the Subiaco list management team, 16 of Subiaco’s 22 from last year’s league premiership are in the Subiaco squad for Round One. Only the aforementioned Clarke, Chris Phelan, Aaron Heal, Braden Fimmano, Justin Joyce and Kyle Halligan are missing from last year’s premiership side.

IMPORTANCE OF A FAST START

Subiaco has made a habit of getting a fast start to the season by winning in Round One. During the golden period since the late 1990’s, Subiaco have won 18 of their past 20 Round One matches. Last year’s Round One set the tone for the season ahead as Subiaco kicked 29 goals on their way to a 118 point win over East Perth.

DESPERATE FOE

Speaking of East Perth, Subiaco will be ready for a fired up and passionate East Perth outfit as they look to start life again as a stand-alone club. The co-tenants have been fierce rivals throughout each clubs history and both teams will be anticipating a tough tussle for Round One.