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Big month ahead for Subi

by Brendan Leicester

THE run home for Subiaco is going to be tough, with three of their final four matches coming up against sides looking to snatch fourth spot from under them.

A win against reigning premier South Fremantle in Round 18 last week would have all but secured the club’s 14th consecutive finals appearance.

However, Lions coach Chris Waterman remains upbeat about his side’s finals prospects, despite a hard month of fixtures that include a date with the ladder leading Tigers at Claremont Oval.

“The weekend’s performance was much better than the previous (against West Perth), but we failed to get the result we wanted.  We now face a tough challenge for the remainder of the season to play finals,” he said.

“We have Claremont in two weeks and fortunately we will have a healthier list to pick from and we will go into the game with confidence.”

The “healthier list” could include the likes of West Coast rookie Adam Cockie and Fremantle’s Des Headland, who at this stage remain a 50 per cent to face the Tigers, according to the club’s website.

Waterman said he was also impressed with the efforts of Abe Davey and Scott Worthington, who made some solid contributions in the reserves last week.

Worthington, who played his first game in six weeks, collected 15 touches and looked good, according to Waterman, while Davey (19 touches) will press for league selection.

Unfortunately, the league’s first father and son combination may have to make way, after the club’s decision to play 17-year-old Alliston “Buddy” Pickett netted just three disposals.

“Buddy Pickett didn’t have the impact we were looking for but he showed signs he is going to be a good player in the future,” Waterman said. 

Proud father Allistair Pickett said Buddy handled his debut and the hype well, saying he’s only going to get better with more league games under his belt. 

“The more Buddy plays at this level the better he will be. I’m not sure if he’ll stay in, but I think it would be good for his development and wouldn’t hurt him,” he said.

“That’s up to the coaching staff, though, who has to weigh up team balance and all those things.”