Wardman's Words April Update
Thursday, April 25, 2019 - 7:40 AM
Subiaco league coach Beau Wardman checks in for an update from around the senior group ahead of the Round Four battle with Peel.
After three wins to start the season, get the thoughts of the new league coach and who he has seen that has impressed so far in 2019.
This is Wardman's Words.
Beau, thanks as always for checking in, nice way to start the league coaching career, three wins from three starts, has there been anything that has impressed you most about the early form of your Subiaco league side?
Couldn’t ask for too much more than winning the games in front of you. We have had to battle away through the games, each different challenges. The way the boys have persevered through the games has been most impressive. Losing Wheeler early then Newton against East Perth and similar against East Fremantle with Rhode and Marsh it tested us with rotations and putting players into alternate positions and roles. Fortunately, we have exposed players to different roles during pre-season and they executed really well. Again, on the weekend in tough conditions against AFL bodies, our boys stood up really strongly to grind out a win. That resolve is something which is strong among our group at the moment.
First two wins you have had to change on the fly in the coaching box early, with Clancy Wheeler going down in Round One than Harry Marsh and Drew Rohde before half time in Round Two. Must have felt like a real welcome to league footy moment having to react to those injuries?
Something you don't directly plan for. As I mentioned before, having exposed players to different roles has helped with that. We had to shuffle the decks and manage rotations throughout. Credit to the players and Matty Olds our S&C with the conditioning work, still able to run out both games and score late in the games.
Defensively the consistency has been impressive. Over your last four games dating back to the 2018 WAFL Grand Final, the defence has conceded 46, 44, 45 and 45 points; must be nice to know you have that team defence structure that backs up your efforts up the field?
Has a nice synergy doesn’t it. Nigel Hamilton has done a lot of work with our backs on the way we defend but it is a total team effort how we go about our pressure and positioning to stop the opposition. I believe players gain great confidence from assisting others and playing with that one and half mindset - it can give us a real advantage.
Individually Kyal Horsley has topped the disposal count in the first three wins, has on-field performances continue to set the standard?
He is just the complete professional, his preparation, his game understanding to put himself in the right position to win the ball, to defend is a level above in the WAFL competition. He is also a great leader on-field for us, setting up, ensuring accountability but he is also really enjoying his football with a smile on the face which is important.
You mentioned in Presentations on Saturday night the development of young forward Ryan Borchet, alongside Borchet which other young players do you continue to be impressed with the growth of in senior football?
Ryan has really stood up over the first 3-weeks, it is still coming together for him, but losing key forward Brad Stevenson and now Clancy Wheeler with injury it has forced him to play a bigger role and has stood up to the challenges. Jack Beverley has taken his opportunities early in the year, a big body and really resilient mind-set, Greg Clark has also been impressive playing around the ball, his run and carry and strength on the ball has been great, he maturing as a player on and off the field.
You have been fortunate enough to be able to blood three players for their Subiaco league debuts already this season, including two great young men within the program in Jack Beverley and Travis Cleggett, what is the feeling like when you get to give them the news that they are debuting and how have you seen the new players to league footy?
Look, it's probably the best part about the job, the worst is telling someone they aren’t playing. We haven’t been a club that just gives players a game at league level to give them a go, they have to earn the opportunity, thats led to sustained success. Both Travis and Jack have performed well in their games, hopefully on the back of knowing why they are in the team, the work they have put in, and the role they need to execute. Travis was unfortunate to come out again for West Coast with Ben Newton coming back from injury, but we know Travis can play the role and he’s putting pressure on those in the team to be consistent and go to another level.
The first three games you have done all that is needed to see off three varying style of opponents, do you take comfort knowing that you best form is still to come, with what looms as tough contests with Peel, South Fremantle, Claremont and Perth in the next six weeks?
We think we still have growth in us. The nature of the competition this year is it’s much more even and there are challenges every week. You have to play with the right mindset and be up for the fight or you will get caught out. We have some players really pushing through the reserves at the moment which is great and Matt Cavedon is doing a great job with the boys putting pressure on the incumbent league players to really maintain a high level.
Speaking of Peel, you have them next, second week in a row playing an AFL aligned team, how much does playing the uncertainty of an AFL team impact your weekly preparation?
It can be a bit difficult in planning for individuals, but its not dissimilar to other teams in that respect. We look at the who might come in or out but it is more around us and what we can do to improve this week. Our preparation doesn’t really change week to week.
They had a strong come from behind win against East Fremantle last week, did you take anything away from their win last week?
It was a really tough game, high contested numbers, tackles were up and both teams had periods of dominance on the scoreboard. I think the conditions might have played a small part, but we know Peel are a strong team and will continue to fight out the contest.
Just a final one, nearing in on a month into the season, as a new senior coach, how have you found the support of the Subiaco fans who seem to be really invested in seeing you do well as a coach and continue in the tradition of great Subiaco league coaches?
We want to provide our members and supporters of the club with exciting games of football and see growth in our players. The support has been great around the club and like I encourage the players, all we can do is our best effort each week in what we do. If we are accountable to each other and striving for that, play hard as a team and enjoy what we do we will have on-field success.
Good luck on Saturday and for the weeks ahead.
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