City of Subiaco chief executive Don Burnett  is a mad Lions fan and has a Subiaco Lions mirror in his office that he got for his 21st birthday.
Camera IconCity of Subiaco chief executive Don Burnett is a mad Lions fan and has a Subiaco Lions mirror in his office that he got for his 21st birthday. Credit: Supplied/Andrew Ritchie www.communitypix.com.au d473949

City of Subiaco chief excited by Lions’ trip to WAFL grand final

Denise S. CahillWestern Suburbs Weekly

CITY of Subiaco chief executive Don Burnett and his brother bought each other Subiaco Lions mirrors for their 21st birthdays.

That was 39 years ago for Mr Burnett who proudly hung the mirror in his Subiaco office on day two of being in the role nearly two years ago.

“It’s the first time it’s hung in my office,” the 60-year-old said.

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“Normally I hang certificates in my office but there’s no room here and this is more important.”

Mr Burnett said he and his brother went to the “historic” 1973 WAFL grand final where Subiaco won its first premiership since 1924.

“We spent hours cutting up newspapers to throw in the air at the game,” he said.

“After that Subiaco struggled.

“The following years we went to the footy with our girlfriends, who are now our wives, and if we were only 10 goals down at three quarter time that would be a good game so we would stay.”

Subiaco beat South Fremantle 14.14 (98) to 10.6 (66) on Sunday so will line up against Peel Thunder for the second consecutive year on Sunday at Subiaco Oval with bounce down at 2.50pm.

It will be the last game of Australian rules football at Subiaco Oval with Perth Stadium set to open early next year.

The West Coast Eagles will still be based in Subiaco with Josh Kennedy telling the Western Suburbs Weekly: “As a club we will continue to be based at the ground for the next 12 months and will train there throughout 2018 so we won’t be saying goodbye permanently until we re-locate to Lathlain Park in about 18 months from now.”

Mr Burnett said the City would continue to work with the WA Football Commission (WAFC) on establishing a centre of excellence for the new high school being built next door at Kitchener Park, junior squad development and women’s football to be based at the oval.

“We’re also working with the WAFC on the history of the oval and how we can work that in to a new design,” he said.

Parking in City of Subiaco carparks will be free on Sunday, September 24

To win two premium tickets to the WAFL grand final that include a three-course lunch and VIP parking, visit the See Subiaco Facebook page. Entries close on Thursday.

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