WAFLW: Lions round one focused after targeted off-season approach

There are fresh faces everywhere you look in Subiaco’s WAFLW side, and it’s those same faces that could hold the key to success in 2023.

Under the Lions’ one club model, more resources, new coaches, and new players have emerged to help the side bounce back.

The Lions narrowly missed out on postseason action last year, and head coach Michael Farmer said playing finals is always front of mind.

“When you’re at this level, and you have a really nice balance of experience mixed in with some strong youth players, that should be the goal,” he said.

“We’re not shying away from that.

“We’ve been pretty strong in preseason to ensure the girls understand our processes, how we want to play, and how we want to be the best team we possibly can be.”

It’s been a strong lead into round one for the Lions.

Access to training grounds, strength and conditioning staff, and medical teams are just a part of the increased professionalism within the side

For the first time in the side’s history, they were able to train at their home ground, Leederville Oval, at times during the summer to prepare for the year ahead.

Farmer said it’s the little things that can go a long way.

“When you’re training at a different venue and you get to Leederville, it’s almost like playing at an away ground because you’re just not used to it,” he said about previous seasons.

“Having that month to acclimatise and do some game sim on it was worthwhile.”

Subiaco’s access to coaching staff has also increased.

While the core of the coaches have stayed, there are inclusions which have provided increased development, according to Farmer.

Among them is AFLW Eagle and former Subiaco Lion Aimee Schmidt, who brings a breadth of experience.

“The knowledge she brings to the women’s game and to the forward line itself has been really good,” Farmer said.

“We seem to have a lot more connection with our forwards and they’ve been able to get that extra support and knowledge through that space.”

Also among the inclusions is Eagles AFLW assistant coach Pia Faletti, who is a former player at the club and was the coach of the Rogers Cup side.

The team as a whole has increased their coaching staff to eight, which allows players more access to coaches throughout the season.

Subiaco has made changes to their list ahead of the season, with an influx of players from the amateur system coming into the program.

Farmer said it’s been a targeted approach.

“You want depth players that are going to have that maturity coming into this level,” he said.

“More importantly, you want really good people that are committed, have resilience, take feedback and apply it to their game.

“The girls we’ve recruited have absolutely nailed it in terms of those focus areas.”

He also emphasised the team’s leadership group, saying each member is complementary to the others.

“They each bring subtle differences to who they are personality wise,” Farmer said.

“They’re going to be able to challenge each other, hold each other to account, and drive standards within the playing group.

“All seven of them are approachable in their own way, which is such an important thing for our side.”

Ahead of round one, the Lions have a fit playing group, with just two players unavailable for selection due to injury - a credit to the medical staff according to Farmer.

Subiaco will take on South Fremantle in round one at Leederville Oval, with a 2pm start time on Sunday March 12.