Shane Yarran kicked five goals for Subiaco and gained plenty of support. Photos by Les Everett
There was a time not that long ago when WA footy fans pitied Subiaco. Poor buggers could barely win a game let alone a premiership. Times have changed – the Lions have appeared in nine of the past 13 WAFL grand finals and won six premierships in that time. No one has Subiaco as their second team anymore, they’re about as cuddly as Hawthorn.
The 2015 WAFL premiers.
On a beautiful day in the biggest weekend of footy ever in WA just 13,094 turned up to watch Subiaco trade punches and then record an early knockout against a West Perth team that didn’t give up but just weren’t good enough.
The fact that Matthew Boland, who won the Simpson Medal, kicked seven goals and Shane Yarran got five was a major problem for the Falcons who managed just 10 for the game.
However there has more to it than dominant key forwards – Subiaco’s defenders were courageous, daring and tight with Scott Worthington and Jordan Lockyer outstanding and Darren Rumble, who has now played in an incredible six Subiaco premiership teams, again did his job. Sam Menegola was suberb in the midfield and will get another go at the AFL, Clancy Wheeler enjoyed his under-sized ruck role, Leigh Kitchen was at his best when the game was tight and captain Kyal Horsley used the ball expertly.
The Falcons battled the game out with Andrew Strijk using the ball well, Drew Rohdes doing some good things, Steven Potente displaying some class and Kris Shannon providing some exciting run.
Sam Menegola has become the WAFL’s most outstanding player.
Jarrad Schofield strolls out to join the celebrations late in the last quarter.
That makes it two in a row for Subiaco but this was different – the Lions needed to replace eight of last year’s premiership team and that suggests Jarrad Schofield knows how to coach.
Subiaco 21.10 (136) West Perth 10.10 (70)
About Les Everett
A Footy Almanac veteran, Les Everett is the author of Gravel Rash: 100 Years of Goldfields Football and Fremantle Dockers: An Illustrated History. Co-founder with Vin Maskell of scoreboardpressure.com. Founder of australianrules.com.au and the Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/abandonedcricketpitches/
Thanks for the reports all year Les.
A pity that Ch7 does only state based broadcasts compared to the ABC which used to show the other states during the week so I haven’t been able to get my weekly WAFL TV fix in Victoria.
Started following Subi from a distance when I saw they had a similar jumper to Hawthorn in 1981 and we recruited Gary Buckenara at the end of that year. There was a great Battle of the Premiers game in 1986 between Subiaco and Hawthorn with seemingly half the original Eagles squad playing for the Lions – Laurie Keene, Dwayne Lamb, Karl Langdon, Mark Zanotti, Andrew McNish, Phil Scott etc.
Interesting that Sam Menegola is such a good player now. He was on Hawthorn’s rookie list and didn’t get out of the Box Hill development squad during his stint over here.
Go Lions.
Thanks for keeping the local footy faith in WA, Les. My nephew’s Swannies got smashed by the Bulldogs in the reserves. I see there were 3 Swannies reported. Maybe they were getting a bit frustrated with the one way traffic? Haven’t wanted to ask. Don’t talk about the war – a sentiment all Dockers fans would surely embrace at the moment.
Thanks Les for this report.
My concern is that with West Perth being the Eagles de facto seconds and Peel the same for the Dockers – is that right? That the integrity of the competition is being undermined. Just a sense of this.
This means that an East Freo boy if rookied by Freo has to play for Peel….
Reckon they’ve got it right in the SANFL with both Port and the Crows having defined 2nds teams.
The NEAFL is very self-serving for the AFL. A Sydney Uni player can be called up to play for the Swans 2nds in the same competition. It shouldn’t all be about “development”.
Almost right Dr Rocket. East Perth is the Eagles team. Luckily neither of the aligned teams made the GF, they finished third and fourth.
Peter_B I watched the second half of the reserves but had forgotten about Brandon E so can’t tell you he shoulda got the BOG medal.
West Perth the eagles b team Dr Rocket? Surely you jest.
Smashed us. Nice day out though. Yet again a smaller crowd to the previous year. WAFC weave their magic again…