Kitchin to lead Lions for fifth straight year

The WAFL season is yet to get underway, but veteran Leigh Kitchin is already putting his name in the history books.

The 33-year-old will captain the side for a fifth-consecutive season, putting him in amongst Lions royalty.

He becomes just the seventh Subiaco player to captain in five or more seasons, in a list featuring club legends Neil Taylor, Aiden Parker, and Kyal Horsely.

Kitchin said it’s a privilege to lead the club once again.

“It’s always good to be recognised by your peers,” he said.

“For them to have the confidence that, ‘you’re the guy to lead the club,’”

“It feels as good the first year as it does the fifth.”

The captain heads a new-look leadership group, containing some familiar faces.

Among them, Drew Rohde and Ryan Borchet have been included, and have been given the role of vice-captains.

Kitchin said they have earned the respect of the playing group.

“It’s great to see those guys (Drew Rohde and Ryan Borchet) have the backing of the group and step up in their responsibilities at the club,” he said.

Joining them in the leadership group are Angus Dewar and Ben Sokol, who have been strong leaders at the club for a number of years.

Jordan Lockyer has also been named in the group, and will be an asset according to Kitchin.

“Locks is an amazing leader and will continue to be,” he said.

“When he’s back around fully training with the group, the rest of the younger players will get to experience the depth and quality of leadership he brings.”

Rounding it out is Stefan Giro, who has been named in the leadership group for the first time.

Kitchin said the former Docker has come a long way in his short career so far at the Lions.

“I think he’s become more comfortable after his first season, and he definitely leads by example on the track,” he said.

“He’s come leaps and bounds in terms of the presence he has at training and the voice he’s offering up.”

Despite the official leadership group being named, Kitchin said there’s still a wealth of experience within the squad who the players can draw on.

He said recruit Zac Clarke is one who brings leadership qualities to the club.

“He’s got a heap of experience coming back in,” Kitchin said.

“He’s another cool, calm head who’s been at the level for a long time.”

Six weeks out from round one, the skipper said the group is looking more like the Subiaco of old, as they look to recover from last year’s hiatus.

The side finished seventh in 2022, and when asked if his leadership was tested during the year, Kitchin said at times it was difficult, but important to persevere. 

“The hardest part is the blokes don’t get as much enjoyment out of it, so you put in just as much work, but there’s not a lot of satisfaction in the results you achieve,” he said.

“It does wane on you a bit.

“It’s just a different challenge we’ve faced than in other years.”

However, Kitchin said all aspects of the side look to have improved from a year ago.

“I think the defensive pressure’s been much closer to where we need it to be,” he said.

“The fitness of the group has been massive compared to where it was last year.

“It’s been really pleasing, and now we wait and see over the next month and find out how prepared we are.”

The side is set to play practice matches against Peel Thunder, Swan Districts, and West Coast, before round one’s clash against Perth at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday, April 8.