“Closest thing to AFL”: Coach Spencer praises Subiaco environment

Subiaco will have AFL experience in their coaching ranks for season 2022, with Matt Spencer coming on board as an assistant coach.

In his short time as the coach of the backline, Spencer said he’s been impressed with the standards of the Lions.

“The club so far is the closest thing to AFL that I’ve experienced,” he said.

He said it was the club’s professionalism that sparked his interest in working with Subiaco.

“I thought it was a great opportunity to be aligned with a successful outfit,” he said.

“It’s such a professional club and one with a great culture, so that’s what attracted me.”

Spencer said it’s no easy task taking over from former Lion Darren Rumble, but said he’s enjoying the challenge.

“Big shoes to fill, he’s a club legend,” he said.

“It’s early days so far, I’ve just tried to build up rapport with the playing group.”

No stranger to the game and the WAFL system, Spencer brings a wealth of footballing experience to Subiaco.

As a player, he was taken in the 2003 AFL Draft by Geelong with pick 42.

He managed two AFL games for the Cats, and was a key part of their VFL side, winning the best and fairest in 2005, and a premiership in 2007.

After his time in the AFL came to an end, Spencer returned to the WAFL and signed with Swan Districts, where he was part of their 2010 Premiership.

He then went on to play country football in Victoria, before returning to Perth with his family for a brief stint with West Perth, before officially calling time on his playing career.

More recently, he has been part of Kingsley Football Club helping out the teams where his children played, and at North Beach Amateur Football Club last season.

Throughout preseason, Spencer said he’s been impressed with the group, saying there’s a good mixture of youth and experience in the backline.

“There's some elder statesman that have been down the backline for a little while, and their leadership is pretty clear,” he said.

“Then we have some good young talent coming through who are trying to earn their stripes.

“It'd be great for some of that younger talent to come through this year.”