It was not that long ago when we saw the likes of Michael Tuck and Craig Bradley continue their playing careers until they were 38.  In fact Bradley was just short of turning 39 when he retired.  We are now in an era where most footballers review their priorities as they approach 30.

Luckily for Subiaco one of our favourite sons from the last decade has decided to play on in 2010 at the tender age of 36.  At the end of 2009  Allistair Pickett was questioning whether he had anything more he could offer the league team.  However, during the off season Ali embarked on probably his most vigorous pre-season campaign and the endless hours in the gym have him the best shape of his life.  The thought of travelling to the bush to play was not appealing and with a desire to play league football the voice in his head said keep playing while you can.  There are many reasons why the Allistair  (aka “the little master”, “wiz”, “the champ”, “maestro”, “legend”, “AP” etc) wanted to play on. 

Firstly Chris Waterman firmly believes Alistair has something to offer.  Ali still has lightning speed, his body is in good shape, he only started playing league football at 29 so he is still young in terms of WAFL football, and he wants to play.  Ali felt he still had something to offer and thought that if the opportunity arose he would grab it.  Allistair is currently involved with coaching of our Colts group and he will continue in that role.  His son Alliston (“Buddy”) is showing promise at that level and while we may all fantasize about a father/son combination in the league team that is putting unrealistic pressure on the young fellow.

Ali realises that his days as a premier on-baller have passed him and he sees himself as crumbing forward coming off the bench and even pinch hitting in the middle.  At 36 he will see how his body copes.  Of particular interest to Ali was the passion of hopefully playing in a NAIDOC game in 2010.  He has missed of these games in the last two years because of injury and he looks forward to the opportunity of representing his culture in a Subiaco gurnsey.

Ali has delighted the Subi faithful for many years and we look forward to some of his magic again in 2010.  Good luck Ali, we are behind you.

NEW rules will be implemented for the 2010 West Australian Football League season in line with changes adopted by the AFL last year.

WAFL Operations Manager Clint Roberts said law 15.10 – Free Kicks after Disposal – would be amended to protect ball carriers and maintain the flow of play, in line with the AFL competition.

“As we have many AFL listed players competing in the WAFL each weekend, we believe it is best to have the same rules as the national competition,” Roberts said.

“We review new rules adopted by the AFL at the end of each season, with the view to introducing them to the WAFL the following year,” Roberts said.

“At the WAFL Football Managers meeting last Thursday, it was agreed to adopt all 2009 Law changes except for the rushed behind Law. After considerable debate it was decided that the incidence of ‘rushed’ behinds was so low in the WAFL that it required no ‘remedy’.”

Umpires will also pay closer attention to players encroaching on the mark or failing to return the ball promptly to an opponent after a free kick or mark. Free kicks will continue to be awarded for holding the ball where a player has no prior opportunity but makes no real effort to dispose of the ball.

The 2010 WAFL season kicks off this Friday night with South Fremantle hosting East Perth at Subiaco Oval.

Rule Changes for 2010

Note: The Force behind Rule will not be adopted by the WAFL competition for 2010.

 

With pre season now officially over we go into the first week of fixtures with a bye.This as it so happens has turned out pretty handy for us as we haven't really set the world on fire just yet and there are still quite a few players needing more game time.

Having said that our game against South Fremantle on Saturday showed that we are rapidly improving  and getting used to a different set up.

Patty Hassett and Chad Cossom played seniors for the first time and showed terrific glimpses of what we can expect while Clint Bradshaw tasted league for the first time and showed some promise out of a forward pocket.We will have another match at training this week to top up some players and hopefully get some time into Ali Pickett and possibly Phil Read

.Luke Newick isn't ready yet and Adam Cockie will apparently be ready for round one.

Michael Rix will return from work commitments this week and have a hit out aswell.

With alot of uncertainty at both AFL clubs at the moment in terms of spots in the team we won't know whether any other players will become available until late next week but the reality of football is that it may be a possibility that we see some more players from the AFL.

All in all we go into the season with alot of improving to do but are looking forward to the challenges that lay ahead. 

Friday night’s game couldn’t have come any quicker for our boy’s after their disappointing display against East Fremantle the previous week. We went into the game with a squad of 28 players that were all vying for a spot in the team for round 1. The players trained well all week in what was a tough week on the track. The team’s main focus for the game was to practice their set up’s and structures throughout the game and to not focus too much on the result.

The players got off to a slow start in what was a pretty fast flowing game of colts. South Fremantle controlled most of the footy and most of the play in the 1^st qtr especially around the stoppages. To the players credit they stuck to their tasks and embraced the challenge that was being presented so early on in this game. At the end of the first qtr we were down by 3gls but I felt the momentum of the game starting to swing in Subiaco’s favour.

For the next 3 qtr’s the team had a real appetite for winning the contested football around the stoppages. This went along way to Subiaco controlling the game and nearly pulling off a come from behind win. As it turned out we drew with South Fremantle in what was a very good game of colts football.

There were some special efforts from players that have had quiet pre seasons. Adam Miotti was very influential across half forward with some strong leading and marking. James Lee across half back was very creative with his run and also his defensive pressure. Every player contributed to the team’s performance which is why the team put in a far better effort than the previous week.

The players will have a lighter week on the track as they prepare themselves for their first game of the season against West Perth at Medibank stadium in 2 weeks time. The squad is now final and we are entering into the season with 55 players. Congratulations to all the players that have been selected for 2010, it has been well deserved.