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Interesting to have so many in the leadership group. Could this be to take the heat off Wardman a little bit I wonder? I'm also pretty impressed with the "Emerging Leaders programme' which provides additional skills and training for guys coming through to become future leaders of the club. Does anyone know if this is done at other clubs as I think it's a terrific initiative which should help with long term sustained success if you've got guys coming through to seamlessly take the place of other leaders of the club who might be moving on, stepping aside or retiring. Here's the article from the club's website.

Following the announcement of Leigh Kitchin as captain of the Subiaco Football Club for the 2019 season, the remainder of Subiaco’s leadership group and leadership structure can now be revealed.

In the Subiaco senior squad Kitchin will oversee a leadership group of eight players, with three new faces to the group this season.

Former AFL trio, Josh Deluca, Angus Litherland and Ben Newton are all first time members of a Subiaco leadership group, that was unanimously chosen by the playing group and endorsed by the Subiaco coaching staff.

“It is a great reward for Josh, Gus and Ben to be chosen by their peers as new leaders of our club,” senior coach Beau Wardman said.

“We believe the addition of the three new leaders helps to provide good transition and sustainability of our leadership group.”

Joining captain Kitchin, Deluca, Litherland and Newton are four key leaders, with Lachlan Delahunty, Justin Joyce, Hayden Kennedy and Jordan Lockyer all remaining in the leadership group for 2019.

This group of eight have all been influential figures around the club in recent years, with all members of the group having played in last year’s league premiership win.

“We believe the leadership group is a great mix of players comprising a wide range of ages, varied experience levels at AFL and WAFL level as well as players originating from our regional and local Subiaco programs,” Wardman said.

The club has looked to further strengthen their internal leadership structure, with the commencement of an official emerging leaders program for the 2019 season.

This program will be overseen by the club’s influential coaching mentor Kellie Properjohn and outgoing captain Kyal Horsley who will continue to provide leadership on and off field in this new capacity.

Coach Wardman saw this as a chance to use Horsley’s unique experience and standing within the group.

“We believe this will be innovative within the competition to run a program which will lean off Kyal’s experience as the group’s mentor,” Wardman said.

“It also aims to provide these players an opportunity to grow their skill set off field in 2019 working closely with both Kyal and Kellie.”

Jack Beverley, Greg Clark, Jack Mayo, Jacob Miller, Nick Menegola, Ben Reid and Ben Sokol will make up the emerging leaders program.

Clark, Miller and Sokol were regulars in the Subiaco league team in 2018, playing in the league premiership, while Beverley, Mayo, Menegola and Reid all played in minor grade premierships.

“This group of seven players were selected in conjunction with the senior group and coaching staff as those who we believe underpin the value of the club,” Wardman said.

“This group show potential to be leaders of the club in future and ensures sustainability of our culture and leadership moving forward.”

I also received an email from the club a few moments ago announcing Holman as the club's new Principal Partner. Don't they also sponsor the Scorchers and Melbourne Football Club? That's big news if it's correct.

Holman would be a very good get big sponsor to come to the wafl.

I thought the leadership group has always been that size even last year they had lots in there. The emerging leaders is a great idea to breed leadership in the reserves and younger guys. Horse will be great at that. Why are we all so negative against the coach? Didn't he turn a program around from nothing to premiers in 2 years? The club must trust him as they wouldn't just pick anyone. Did anyone get to watch or listen to him while he was at colts?

Not really negative jb...just a little cautious on how he'll go given he's never had any senior coaching or playing experience. I'm hoping he goes really well but we'll just have to wait and see I guess. Yes, Holman will be a big catch for the club but there's nothing on the club website in terms of announcements or Holman branding. Maybe the email from Teigan Freeman was a little premature....fingers crossed it's all done and dusted.

From memory the leadership group last year was Horse, Dela, Justin Joyce, Haydn Kennedy and Jordy Lockyer. Horse drops out this year and Josh Deluca, Gus and Benny Newton all come in.

Now, for the benefit of my good buddy ooollll, we just need a couple more top line recruits and we should be good to go in 2019.

Chris Phelan, Zac Clarke and Kitch were in it to im pretty sure. so 3 out 3 in makes sense.

I would say she is trying to give the members the early scoop before the public gets the news which should be good of the club.

Maybe we can entice Cyril to come play

I wonder if Fez not being a part of the leadership group this year is a sign he's called time? I hope not as he's been very influential when he's up and playing. I think his knees are an issue and would appreciate any mail you might have jb. I recall someone saying a little while ago he was considering going over east for work and would commence preseason a bit later than everyone else if he decided not to go.

BC wrote: Not really negative jb...just a little cautious on how he'll go given he's never had any senior coaching or playing experience. I'm hoping he goes really well but we'll just have to wait and see I guess. Yes, Holman will be a big catch for the club but there's nothing on the club website in terms of announcements or Holman branding. Maybe the email from Teigan Freeman was a little premature....fingers crossed it's all done and dusted.

From memory the leadership group last year was Horse, Dela, Justin Joyce, Haydn Kennedy and Jordy Lockyer. Horse drops out this year and Josh Deluca, Gus and Benny Newton all come in.

Now, for the benefit of my good buddy ooollll, we just need a couple more top line recruits and we should be good to go in 2019.

A couple more top line recruits! I would be sleeping a mite easier if there was just one more, the depth at the Lions was tested just a little too much for my liking in 2018 and I've an inkling it may get worse this year. Depth is important, though it should be noted not everyone is always going to be league standard but that doesn't mean they play for or love the club.

Be interesting to see if some of those over aged premiership colts boys from last year can make the jump into league footy seamlessly......I guess being surrounded by that leadership group will certainly expedite a few of those boys chances....great to see ex EF colts/reserves fella in Nick Menagola finding his feet at Subi.....surprised TBH.....also surprised Harry Marsh not in the leadership group considering he played far more AFL games than the likes of Lirherland, De Luca and Lockyer....perhaps next year Harry

No mail sorry. Waiting for pre season games to see what happens. From what i have heard we have more depth this year than last year with players returning and colts coming up. I dount we will ever see an undefeated year again, so i just hope others dont go to crazy when we lose a few games.

Freezin wrote: Be interesting to see if some of those over aged premiership colts boys from last year can make the jump into league footy seamlessly......I guess being surrounded by that leadership group will certainly expedite a few of those boys chances....great to see ex EF colts/reserves fella in Nick Menagola finding his feet at Subi.....surprised TBH.....also surprised Harry Marsh not in the leadership group considering he played far more AFL games than the likes of Lirherland, De Luca and Lockyer....perhaps next year Harry

Freez...I think Mayo will be pressing up and at 194cm and 90kgs could hold down a KP up forward putting pressure on Clancy Wheeler...plus Halligan had surgery after the GF and won't be available for a while yet might also give him an opportunity...I hope so. Liam Hickmott and Tristan Hobley should also be in the mix for a midfield berth throughout the year but breaking into Subi's midfield won't be easy.