RETIREES

FINAL SIREN SOUNDS FOR TWO PREMIERSHIP STARS

Subiaco Premiership star members Ben Newton and Rhys Waters are set to call time on their respective careers after a total of 142 League games for the club. Ben Newton was drafted by the Port Adelaide Football Club with pick 35 in the 2010 National Draft, playing four games between 2011 and 2014. Newton was then recruited by the Melbourne Demons, where he played 13 games in the 2015 and 2016 seasons before calling time on his AFL career and joining the Subiaco Lions. Newton quickly established himself as a star midfielder of the WAFL competition, averaging 18 disposals and nearly a goal a game across his 34-game League games with the club. Originally recruited by South Fremantle from the Mundijong Junior Football Club, Newton became a two-time Premiership player for Subiaco in 2018 and 2019. Newton starred in the 2019 Grand Final win against his old club; amassing 25 disposals and kicking a goal as the Lions won their second consecutive premiership and asserted themselves as one of the most dominant teams of the recent era. Newton played every game for the club in the 2020 Season, averaging more than 16 disposals per game as he continued to perform his role strongly. Rhys Waters was originally recruited from the Sorrento Duncraig Junior Football Club, coming through the Subiaco Football Club u14’s development program and debuted for the league side in 2011. Throughout his footballing career, Rhys also represented WA in the WA State Nationals 18s (2011) and WA State Nationals 16s (2009).

Waters played 108 league games for Subiaco across nine years; kicking 138 goals and averaging just under 13 disposals per game. The 26-year-old finishes his time at the club as a triplePremiership player in 2014, 2018 and 2019 while also playing in the 2016 Grand Final loss.

Both players have been a part of a very successful period for the Lions and the club thanks them immensely for their services, wishing them all the best in their future endeavours.

HORSLEY HANGS THEM UP

Multiple Premiership player and four time Outridge Medallist Kyal Horsley calls time on his career following the 2020 season after leaving a lasting legacy at the Lions. The powerful midfielder calls time after 207 games for Subiaco across 12 years in the WAFL. The 33-year-old was an outstanding sportsman in his youth in cricket, hockey and football, making his senior debut for the Kalgoorlie City Football Club when he was just 16. Horsley debuted for the Subiaco Football Club in round 16 against East Fremantle in 2007, hitting the scoreboard with two goals and finishing with 21 disposals. Kyal Horsley is undoubtably the greatest Subiaco and WAFL player in the 21st century, winning five of his nine grand finals, recording three second-place Sandover Medal finishes to record a total of 241 Sandover votes; whilst also winning four Outridge medals and a Simpson medal in the 2017 Grand Final v West Perth.

In 2012, Kyal was selected by the Gold Coast Suns with their pick #2 of the rookie draft, before being elevated from the Rookie List. Horsley played 13 games for the Suns in his debut year, being awarded the “Most Professional” and “Iron Man” Award at the club’s best and fairest.

After averaging 16.6 disposals a game for the Suns, Kyal was delisted by the club after enduring a mid-season ACL injury in 2013.

Throughout his Subiaco league career (2007-2011 and 20142020), Horsley amassed a massive 4,772 disposals (ave 23 disposals per game), 608 marks, 656 tackles and kicked 116 goals. Horsley has had an influential impact on the Club across the past 12 years, bringing a new standard of professionalism and team culture; setting the benchmark for future years. During his time at Subi, Kyal was able to show both his strong leadership styles and passion for football which lead him being a part of winning five WAFL grand finals. Horsley is the third Lion to retire in 2020 after Rhys Waters and Ben Newton.

The Club wishes Kyal all the best for his future endeavours.