NEVER BEFORE, NEVER AGAIN

Delahunty’s career with the Lions has been nothing short of extraordinary. In nine seasons with the club, he’s played finals in all but two of them. Subiaco made the Grand Final on seven occasions with him in the side, and they lifted the trophy five times. Anyone in the competition will tell you how difficult it is to win one premiership, let alone five. He joins club legend Darren Rumble as the only Lions to win five or more flags for the club.

When asked if there was a favourite, he said 2018 was a difficult one to overlook. It was an outstanding year for the club, with all three grades lifting the premiership on grand final day.
 
The league side went undefeated for the entire season, and the side defeated West Perth by 66 points. It was Delahunty’s third flag, but it’s not the cup that made it special.

After losing back-to-back deciders against Peel Thunder the years prior, Subiaco were on a mission to return back to the top. During the season, the club learned of the passings of two contributors to the Lions’ success in the years prior. Shane Yarran had been pivotal to the side’s success on field, being a focal point up forward before getting drafted to Fremantle. Meanwhile, Wayne Orsi was a director of coaching at Subiaco, and had a number of roles at other WAFL clubs prior. Both were valued at the club, and Delahunty said it was an emotional time.

“It was really tough. It could have either derailed us or brought us closer together, and luckily it was the latter. Footy clubs are all about the people, and they were two very special people. After everything that happened, I don’t think I can look past that year. That emotional journey we went through as a playing group was tough, and it hurt like nothing else. And for Jarrad, to coach Shane and with Wayne, and to do what he did to get us through that year was something I’ll never forget.