Lions stones throw from the top

After some down years by their lofty standards, the Lions have roared back to life this season, with their 4-1 record meaning they are only percentage off the top of the ladder.

Subiaco coach Beau Wardman believes a blend of youth and experience is driving the club forward.

Wardman told Sports Breakfast the club was privileged to have high-quality veterans with premiership experience.

“The ability to be able to bring those young guys in to play with seasoned campaigners that are able to educate and support (is good),” Wardman said.

“You’ve got a kid like Jaxon McGowan, who’s only played five games, Galen Savigni, who’s been around our group for a couple of years but is (now) plying his trade at league level, those guys stand taller when they’ve got that senior player around them.

“Those young guys bring a great energy, which sometimes can inspire some of the senior guys, and it also helps hold them accountable to some of the standards that we want to see.

“We’re really seeing the benefits of that right now, but we know there’s a lot of work still to be done this year.

The Lions kept in touch with the competition’s pacesetters with a 12 point win over South Fremantle at Leederville Oval on Saturday, with Wardman saying he was proud of his team for holding off a late Bulldogs comeback.

“It was a stoppage-heavy game so Zac Clarke was able to come into his own and I thought our midfielders really battled strong,” he said.

“South have a good list and are a proud club and they certainly threw everything at us.

“The energy and the spirit the boys continue to bring was really highlighted on Saturday.”

The Lions league success is being reflected down the ladder, with last year’s premiership-winning reserves side currently undefeated and the colts team sitting fourth on the ladder.

Wardman said being strong in all competitions was of high importance.

“It’s something that’s important to me in terms of developing our playing group totally,” he said.

“They’re all at the club because they bring something to contribute on and off-field performance.

“We train as a whole group … I think that the way that we train and really galvanise the group both on and off-field is important, and I think that’s reflected in the majority of the player’s enjoyment.”

Subiaco’s next challenge comes in the form of East Fremantle at the WACA Ground at 4:10pm on Saturday.

IMAGE: WA FOOTBALL