Subiaco’s future bright as colts eye finals berth

Subiaco colts coach Chayce Creedy has one eye on the present, and one eye on the future as the side looks to return to September action.

After 13 rounds, the side is in fourth position on the ladder with six wins to their name.

It’s a tight competition, with just two wins separating the top five.

Creedy said while the playing group has been competitive, there were still areas to work on.

“There haven't been too many games where we haven’t been in a position to fight for a win,” he said.

“We’ve been ultra competitive, but we’ve had days where we’ve been a little bit off our game and it’s cost us.

“We haven’t had that maturity to finish those games off.”

Creedy continued, saying when they have played their best football, it has been competitive with the rest of the competition.

“We’re the highest scoring team in the competition, so our best is pretty good,” he said.

“Our team defence and our defensive acts is where we’re spending a lot of our time educating our players. 

“For the most part of the year they’ve performed quite strongly, and in such an even competition you can’t really switch off.”

Creedy said the message has been kept simple for the group, aiming to win as many of the remaining games as possible to feature in the postseason.

He said there’s still an aim to develop for the future of the club, with 46 players running out in the maroon and gold this season.

Creedy said it’s been pleasing to have strong numbers coming through the club.

“We’ve got a few more to get through as well, and we'll see some of our futures and state 16s players integrated over the next few weeks,” he said.

“If we keep developing the players to understand their roles and what it takes to succeed at this level, that will be the most important thing.

“We’re setting them up to play league football in the future, and if that’s enough to get us into finals, we’ll aim to do as well as we possibly can.”

Subiaco have at times been unable to field their best side due to injuries, but also due to state selection.

Newtown-Condingup product Koltyn Tholstrup and Mines Rovers product Tyrell Dewar were selected in the under 18s squad for WA, with both regularly featuring in the side.

The 2020 colts premiership coach praised the two, saying they’ve each earned their opportunity to represent their state.

“Koltyn is an outstanding talent, and he’s been able to go in and impact in his underage year which has been a positive for him,” Creedy said.

“Tyrell has had some really influential moments in games, we’re really happy with his progress and how he’s been able to impact.

“We’ve been really proud of both of those guys.”

Creedy said the side has benefitted from the idea of each player having their own role to play within the team.

He said part of the challenge for the coaches was to find balance for each player.

“We rely on people doing their roles, they don’t have to be superstars and they don’t have to be special, they just have to do their bit,” Creedy said.

“A focus for us as coaches is to make sure the players understand their roles, but give them the flexibility to put their own flair and their own game style into the way we play football.

“That’s how they get the greatest enjoyment.”