Embarrassment of riches for hot Subiaco
Subiaco’s Jarrad Schofield faces a headache rival WAFL coaches would gladly accept in the wake of his team’s crushing 89-point win against South Fremantle at Fremantle Oval on Saturday.
The reigning premiers could not have been more impressive in their demolition of the Bulldogs in the top-of-the-table clash, extending their lead at each change on their way to a 24.13 (157) to 10.8 (68) victory.
With seven regulars missing through injury, Schofield’s biggest problem ahead of the clash with Perth will be finding room for returning stars like captain Kyal Horsley and centre half-forward Lachlan Delahunty.
Schofield said it was significant that players coming into the side to replace injured teammates had acquitted themselves so well in recent weeks.
“There’s probably about seven guys (missing) who we earmarked that when they are up and going and fully fit and going are in our best 22,” he said.
“It’s a good position to be in ... we aren’t forced to rush others back from injury.
“At the same time those guys have to understand that they are going to have to work to get their spots (back in the team).
“It’s a healthy environment to have and it’s going to be an interesting selection process moving forward.”
Bookends Darren Rumble and Brad Stevenson played valuable cameo roles in Subiaco’s fourth win, full-back Rumble miserly and full-forward Stevenson finishing with six goals.
Rumble was the linchpin in Subiaco’s defence, combining effectively with Jordan Lockyer, Wayde Twomey, Charles Le Fanu, Scott Worthington, Hayden Kennedy and Aaron Heal to limit the Bulldogs’ scoring opportunities.
Schofield said he had toyed with the idea of resting veteran defender Rumble, captain with Horsley out of the team, for the match.
“I was nearly going to rest him this week, just to give him a bit of a freshen-up,” he said.
“He’s a bit of a warhorse old Rumba and we are finding it hard to make him take a back seat.
“He leads from the front, organises them and there’s no surprise that he’s a five-times premiership player with over 200 games and he’s a quality player.”
Classy forward Shane Yarran bounced back from the disappointment of missing a match due to suspension with a six-goal haul while recruit Brett Robinson had an eye-catching game for the Lions.
Robinson, who played in Swan Districts’ 2010 premiership side, finished the match with 30 possessions, five marks, six tackles, six inside 50s and a goal in an impressive all-round display.
