Coach Schofield hails Lions
Jarrad Schofield last night reaffirmed his commitment to Subiaco after engineering one of the great WAFL premiership wins in recent history in just his second year as coach.
Schofield, a three-times premiership player with the Lions and part of Port Adelaide's 2004 premiership, yesterday claimed his first flag as a coach with an 11.16 (82) to 9.12 (66) triumph over raging favourites East Perth.
Up against a Royals line-up boasting 11 West Coast players, Subiaco snared a flag many outside the club felt was beyond them, especially after finishing second last in 2013.
"Twelve months ago we made a few changes and we sort of drew a line in the sand to make sure that we were going to improve on eighth position and we did that," Schofield said.
"Not just as a playing group, but as a coaching group as well, to address all areas. It is just a massive outcome for a lot of hard work from everyone involved in the footy club.
"I was confident last year that our best was good enough, unfortunately we probably didn't have the depth. This year we worked hard in the pre-season, we recruited well.
"Our young fellas were 12 months better off.
"Our goal was to make top four and then when you get halfway through the year and you realise you are going to be cemented in the top four, momentum and belief is an amazing thing and our guys definitely took that into this finals campaign.
"It just goes to show that if you give effort and you believe in what you're about then you can get a positive outcome from it."
Schofield's effort is likely to attract interest from AFL clubs, but he is more focused on making sure Subiaco's time in the limelight continues.
"People can talk about going to the next level, but I'm quite happy to be where I am," he said.
"I have got a business that I'm a partner in, I am happy doing that.
"I've got a young family that are in their teenage years and I'm happy being at Subiaco.
"I've only been here two years and I'd like to be here for a couple more.
"I was part of three premierships here. My goal when I first came on board as coach was not just to be a one-year wonder.
"I want to make sure that there is some sustainability so we are actually in the finals all the time."
Schofield said he was proud of the players, including George Hampson, who played on after straining his left hamstring in the second quarter.
"The first 10 minutes I reckon they had the better of us," he said. "I just think we had to man up a little bit more inside, be a little harder over the footy. Our pressure was there again and that's what we build our game around."
