Subiaco Football Club

New Subiaco coach Chris Waterman is keen for his star premiership players to get as much out of their careers as possible and will back them in as long as they are still contributing in 2010.

Waterman walked into an environment at Subiaco after four years in charge of Peel that was used to success, but he also felt that some of the veteran players that had been a massive part of the Lions' premierships in 2004, 06, 07 and 08 had been told they should retire after last year's grand final.

Star full-forward Brad Smith's body meant that he had to, centre half-forward David Mapleston was not going to be around much in 2010 so he had to, Caine Hayes decided to focus on his family and work and it was time for Daniel Chick, but Waterman has encouraged the others to play on.

Dual Sandover Medallist Allistair Pickett did announce his retirement ahead of the grand final last year, which Subiaco lost to South Fremantle, but on talking to Waterman he has decided to go around one more year.

Triple premiership captain Marc Webb was also weighing up his future, but is now going on for at least one more season and Waterman is more than happy to keep them on while they are still playing well, and leading from the front.

"There's no point keeping them if they don’t feel fresh in the mind and feel as though they can offer something with their football ability, which I'm sure they both can. From the leadership side of it, losing Mapleston and Smith does leave a gap up forward and I could be proven wrong with Webby and Alli going on, but it's my opinion that they have something to offer," Waterman said.

"I'd say that I have two blokes that look as though they've been freshened up a little bit and have a lot to offer. Regardless of what anyone here last year thought of them, there's a new coaching staff here and we think differently. We're prepared to back in guys who have been good for a long period of time and make sure the young guys earn their stripes, they won't be handed league games."

Pickett has missed the majority of the pre-season and didn’t play in the practice matches, so he's likely to start the season in the reserves as could other players who haven’t had the time on the park either in matches or at training Waterman would like.

"He'll (Pickett) be available for Round 1, but he'll lack game time so we are anticipating two or three reserves games for him. Then he has to play well, it's not just a matter of getting through the game. He has to shine a little bit," he said.

"I've still got some thinking to do about our 22 that we'll play and training will be interesting leading into that first game to see if we can get some guys up and going. All things being equal, three or four of them will be underdone so we'll have to look at a reserves game or two for them.

"Stack is suspended and we aren’t sure about the AFL contingent. The first month or six weeks will be a real challenge. We're going to have to scratch, bite, kick and do everything we can to get a score on the board."

Last Thursday the Subiaco 16s had their jumper presentation, as they are approaching their WAFL carnival. Gary Peach the director of talent and country servicing, had a chance to talk to the boys about the Subiaco football club.

Head coach Jamie Wynne spoke to all players and parents and announced that the squad is going to be cut down to smaller numbers for the carnival. There will be boys who will play the games and the other squad members will be train on players.  All the boys are very keen to try even harder so that they can play a few games for Subiaco.

After the coaches said a few words the boys got up and had a photo taken with the head coach Jamie Wynne and a Subiaco jumper.  Next week all the boys will receive a Subiaco football club bag that they can take to training and games to represent their club.

Kalgoorlie’s own Matthew Cullen has been appointed as the Subiaco Colts Captain for the 2010 season. Cullen who is in his second year as a colt has had a fantastic preseason campaign as he looks to lead the young colt’s team this year.  The tall, mobile defender has been involved with Subiaco since he was 15.  Cullen played 15’s and 16’s development squad football with Subiaco, before relocating to Perth from Kalgoorlie in January 2009 to pursue his football career.

Coach Jarrad Schofield believes Cullen will fit the role well ‘Matty has shown he is a natural leader which stood out straight away for the coaching group.  He has outstanding work ethic and is highly respected around the boys’.

Joining Cullen will be Vice Captain Ryan Wade, who finished runner up in the Colts Fairest & Best last year.  Also taking Deputy Vice Captain is another young man from Kalgoorlie, Robert Rout.   Both these players have had outstanding involvements with the club last year and through the junior programs, as well as this preseason.

The colts kick off their season in round 2 against West Perth at Medibank Stadium on Saturday 27th March, 2010.

If you would like to attend the 2010 April School Holiday Coaching Clinic, download and complete the registration form to secure your place.   2010 April Holiday Coaching Clinic

If you require any further details, please contact Ben Haywood on 9208 9999.

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.