2020 Colts Transition Program

The 2020 Colts Transition Program kicked off prior to the round one clash v Claremont, with Colts players Sandon Page (18), Lachlan Henderson (18), Lachlan McKay (19), Matthew Johnson (17) and Jayden Crane (17) joining the senior squad two sessions a week for three weeks, commencing this week.

The Colts players have been under the tutelage of Emerging Leaders; Jack Beverley, Rowen Powell, Ben Reid, McKenzie Lawrence, and Nicholas Martin

Second-year Colts player, Matthew Johnson has found the program really beneficial "It's (the program) is really interesting, especially listening to what the older guys have to say during reviews and feedback during drills. It’s been really fun testing myself in a more intense environment, and all the senior boys have made me feel really welcome, which also helps to make it more enjoyable"

The five colts players have already impressed members of the senior squad within the first week of them being involved in the program according to Rowen Powell.  "Coming into the squad, their (the Colts players) attitude has been first class. Really bought into the culture of the club with their effort and communication at training".

"Even though it's only early stages of the program, you can see the boys grow and become more confident in themselves and their own ability," said Powell.

The Colts transition program is beneficial to both the selected colts players and the emerging leaders, with both taking different learnings and benefits to improve as a footballer.

 Matthew Johnson has found the program helpful in obtaining different feedback from a variety of different people, including senior coach Beau Wardman and many of the other senior players. "The reviews have given me a new insight into how the league boys work around stoppages, which will be beneficial for my development as a midfielder," said Johnson. "During the midfield drills, the senior boys were directing me where to position myself at a contest which was also helpful."

Rowen Powell highlighted his development in leadership qualities through the Colts Transition Program. "It helps develop my own leadership by setting a standard for the colts to follow as they are directly looking to the emerging leaders for guidance and information. Being consistent in your actions as you are held more accountable."

After the three week transition, the colts players will continue training with the rest of the Colts squad under Chayce Creedy and the rest of the Colts coaching staff. Johnson is looking forward to taking back to the colts new stoppage work techniques he has picked up while training with the senior squad.

"I’d like to take back to colts some of the new stoppage work techniques I’ve learnt and bring the same concentration and intensity required at league training too. I think the program is really good for giving the younger boys a perspective of what is required to compete at a high level, and I’ll try to bring the same energy to colts training," said Johnson.

"One of the biggest differences between league and colts beside the size of the players is the intensity of drills, and the speed the players get into drills and the pace they complete the drills at, I really had to concentrate during nearly the entirety of the training" Johnson added.

Football Operations Manager, Michael Farmer is pleased with the program and the benefits to the Subiaco Football Club in the short and long-term. “The transition program is a great opportunity to provide our colts players exposure to our senior program and the standards that come with it. Our emerging leaders have been fantastic in providing the players with education and the colts attitude and willingness to learn and commit has been exceptional” said Farmer.