COLTS COACH REPORT

Winning a colt’s premiership is not the culmination of a life’s work and it’s not necessarily a group of men who have toiled and toiled for a long period of time to achieve ultimate success. The turnover and transition rate does not allow for long periods of continuity within a team, SO what is it?

It is a sign…..A sign that the underpinning development of a club is strong, a sign that a

Chayce Creedy successful standard has been met and success has followed and perhaps it’s a sign that we have much to look forward to if and when a majority side of locally produced and developed talent perhaps reach the ultimate success of a WAFL league premiership. For Subiaco a club that has only won four colts’ premierships in its entire history, of which two have come in the last three years, maybe it is a sign perhaps that reality is not as far away as we once might of thought. Across season 2020 which saw the same disruption as has been covered thoroughly we were able to play 33 players of our 45 player squad. While this is not a high number and the least in the competition we were thoroughly settled and healthy thanks to a focus on core strength and a high fitness standard driven by our coaches and players alike. We structured a team that had balance and relied on no individual brilliance. Rather a team effort built on Subiaco core pillars and moulded to suit the group that we entrusted to live them. Lastly, we built a style on scoring goals, goals and more goals. If they scored one, we scored the next two was the plan. This willingness to score was backed up by high intensity pressure and strong team defence. It would turn out to pay handsome rewards becoming the highest scoring team in the competition while also having a defence that could back that up. We don’t have to look far back to see the improvement. At the end of round six in 2019 we were sitting last with not a win to our name following a premiership in 2018. Since that time, we have won 16 of 22 games and the majority of this year’s squad were in the team by the end of last season. With a tweak to focus we were able to see great results in terms of development and for a good part of this group that will continue as they transition into the senior program and hopefully put pressure on the established players there. We wish the transitioning players all the best as they continue their Subiaco football experience. For those that move onto other leagues and competitions around the country we wish you all the best as well. With the National Champs not able to be staged due to COVID-19 the WA squad was expanded and there were two matches played in WA in the post season that pitted the best of WA talent up against each other. We had 8 players that took part and performed well and with great dignity. Well done to Lachlan Vanirsen, Matt Johnson, Jaxon McGowan, Tyler Brockman, Blake Morris, Lachlan Henderson, Nick Martin and Sandon Page. Well done also to Lachlan Vanirsen who was runner up in the WAFL PPUA coaches voting, WAFL Jack Clarke Medallist, Mel Whinnen Medallist, Taylor Medallist and also premiership and state player, quite a haul and well deserved. We were led by a fantastic leadership quartet in 2020 headed up by Connor Patterson an outstanding young leader and player who was ably assisted by Lachlan Henderson, Lachlan Vanirsen and Sandon Page. This group complimented each other well and helped the group grow and connect through the year. As with any football program there are many hands who work hard to make it happen and I thank them all from the bottom of my heart for the effort and dedication they have to our talent program. So, to all listed below I thank you and look forward to working with you in the future. assistant coaches – Jason Hoskins, John Mansbridge, Josh Leunig and Brett Davis

support

Addison staff – Craig Francis, Karen South and Garry

runners – Nick Visser, Ben Ivankovic and Joel Broad

strength and conditioning – Harry McBriar, Abe Davey and Maddie Oudman and the many wonderful prac students. Big thanks to all of our sponsor who allow us to operate in Simply Energy, AE Hoskins, Topolinis and Vision Financial as well as the Ladies Forum who continue to support this program through their leadership scholarship. Thanks to the support of the club from Peter Capes and the board as well as Talent Director Garry Addison who keeps us tracking in the right direction and also to Mick Ablett and Tony Micale who are a great support in developing our talent. To Michael Farmer and Beau Wardman who help to drive a local talent operation looking to build ties from colts to seniors at every turn thank you for helping to continue the work that you started. Lastly a big thanks to our Talent Manager Kristian Dicton. This man lives and breathes football and the talent within our zones. We are lucky to have him, and I am lucky that I have such a person to support me in what I do, as I hope I support him in what he is trying to do. For the continued success of our program and the young men within it the focus is now on raising the bar with the rest of the club and back up a successful 2020.