Subiaco Snap Up Docker Discard
Written by Simonette Cox
WAFL powerhouse Subiaco have signed former Fremantle and West Perth key forward Adam Campbell.
Left-footer Campbell became a priority for the club, which has won four of the past six WAFL premierships, after four-times league-leading goal kicker Brad Smith retired and centre half-forward David Mapleston left the club to travel overseas.
The loss of potency in the forward line was further emphasised when classy forward pocket Trent Dennis-Lane was recruited by Sydney in the recent national draft.
Mapleston had played in Subiaco's premiership sides of 2006, 2007 and 2008, while Smith played in 2007 and 2008.
Smith, Mapleston and Dennis-Lane were all members of the Lions side which lost the 2009 grand final to South Fremantle.
New Zealander Campbell was de-listed at the end of last season after 13 games for the Dockers in six seasons. He made his AFL debut in 2006.
The 24-year-old also notched 89 games with the Falcons in six seasons, including 17 matches in 2009 yielding 23.17.
Subiaco coach Chris Waterman said Campbell would be valuable.
"To get a player of Adam's quality and capabilities to our club, given that he's fresh out of the AFL, is pretty handy for us," Waterman said.
"He's 194cm, has been on an AFL list for six years and as far as I'm concerned his best football is in front of him.
"Adam is exactly what we needed and I know the senior players I have spoken to are very excited about having him on board."
Waterman said other Lions squad members would get opportunities due to the departure of Smith, Mapleston and Dennis-Lane.
The Lions have also recruited AFLQ players Ben Heffernan-Roper and Andrew Scott.
Heffernan-Roper, 21, is a hard-running midfielder who won the Western Magpies club champion award in 2009. Scott, 23, is a utility player from Mt Gravatt.
