The Winners - Round One

Subiaco’s League team powered to a 79 point win in Round 1 of the 2019 WAFL Season as the club won three matches from four across the day.

These were “The Winners” from Subiaco’s first day of official 2019 WAFL action.

CAPTAIN/S

It was a former captain and a current captain that set the standard in the midfield for Subiaco on Saturday. Former skipper Kyal Horsley had 11 touches in the first quarter as Subiaco stormed from the blocks, going on to finish with a game high 36 disposals. Meanwhile new captain Leigh Kitchin was one of Subiaco’s best four quarter contributors as a steadying influence in the midfield all match long. Kitchin finished his afternoon with 25 disposals and five tackles.

JACK BEVERLEY

In his league debut, Beverley fitted straight in to the Subiaco attacking system, willing to do the little things to make the forward line function. Beverley finished with a solid all round stat-line of 18 disposals, nine marks and six inside 50 entries, however often with Beverley it is the pressure that he applies that is the real standout. Alongside Rhys Waters, this duo could build the typical pressure partnership all good teams are trying to find in the modern game.

WINGERS

It was a strong attacking effort from Subiaco as they recorded the highest round one score in the WAFL. Contributing to the goal kicking efforts were wingmen trio Ben Newton, Greg Clark and Rowen Powell. All three kicked two goals each, showing their hard running traits across the game. It was arguably Clark’s best game as a Subiaco League player as he had 29 disposals to go with two goals.

LACHLAN DELAHUNTY

After Clancy Wheeler went down in the opening minutes, Subiaco’s team structure instantly had to change. It meant that Delahunty would take on added burden both in the attacking fifty as well as changing into the ruck. In typical Delahunty fashion, the Subiaco bigman showed why he is the games most damaging tall, finishing with 24 disposals, eight marks, seven hit-outs, four inside 50 entries and a goal.

COLTS PREMIERSHIP PLAYERS

Despite claiming last year’s Reserves Premiership, their second in two years, the Subiaco Reserves were still able to blood five new players on Saturday evening. The common link of those five was that they all played in last year’s Subiaco Colts Premiership, brothers Wil and Liam Hickmott along with Jack Mayo, Kyle Stainsby and Mach Deng all had an impact and showed they could belong in senior football ranks.

MAX WALTERS

Down by 19 points in the Reserves Grand Final rematch at half time, Subiaco’s Reserves needed someone to impose themselves on the contest. It would be midfielder Walters who did just that. With a blistering second half, where he found himself in everything, Walters was the catalyst to the comeback. He kicked two crucial goals to establish a third quarter lead as Subiaco were able to hold firm winning a tough opening round match.

HISTORY

This start of Saturday was all about celebrating a history making year. It was the chance for Subiaco fans for one last time, turn back to 2018 and celebrate what had been achieved before focusing on what is to be achieved in 2019. For the first time in the 135 year history of the WAFL competition and WA football, one club was able to hang their premiership banners from league, reserves and colts simultaneously. For all Subiaco fans it was a surreal moment to see all league, reserves and colts premiership players, joined by support staff, volunteers, board and admin staff as the three flags were raised high above Leederville Oval.