SUBIACO premiership captain Kyal Horsley admits this Saturday’s WAFL fixture against Joondalup rival West Perth at Kingsway will be a “big change” for both clubs.
The Lions are taking the game to the community and away from Leederville Oval, their home and the Falcons’ former headquarters.
“Any change this time of year is good,” he said.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW“It will keep everyone on their toes; it has been a long, wet winter.”
The Weekender’s photo shoot was the first time he had been to the City of Wanneroo venue, which was as “long as Subi Oval and a fair bit wider”, according to his coach Jarrad Schofield, a former pennant cricketer with Wanneroo at Kingsway.
“I’m a country boy from Kalgoorlie,” Horsley said.
“I don’t have any experience of grounds around Perth.”
He said the bigger the crowd on Saturday, the more enjoyable for the ladder leaders and the third-placed Falcons.
“I’m sure the crowd will be a lot closer (to the players) than usual WAFL games,” he said. “The game will be a good experience.”
West Perth captain Jay van Berlo also has not played at Kingsway. But he said he had watched his older brother and Adelaide Crow Nathan van Berlo play at Kingsway as a Whitfords junior.
“The ground looks in very good nick,” he said. “Both Kyal and I commented on the ground’s good condition; it’s rather large but we’re both keen to run around and play a good game out there.”
The City of Wanneroo removed the concrete-base cricket pitch to enable the game to go ahead.
Wanneroo Mayor Tracey Roberts will speak at a pre-game function and toss the coin.
Traffic warnings ahead of fixture
THE Wanneroo Districts Netball Association has warned its members to leave more time to get to their games this Saturday because of the WAFL fixture between Subiaco and West Perth.
The association said in a Facebook post the football match would “put huge pressure on the carparks” around Kingsway Sporting Complex.
“In addition, there will be much heavier than normal traffic flow in the area so please allow additional time to get to the courts and find parking,” the club said.
“Everyone’s co-operation will be required to reduce congestion and frustrations on the day. Where possible carpooling is advisable.
“Rangers will be in attendance all day and fines will be issued if you are parking incorrectly.”
The City of Wanneroo said rangers regularly patrolled areas such as Kingsway on weekends.
“And as per standard practice will infringe vehicles parked in contravention of the legislation, including in response to any complaints,” a City statement said.
The fixture is a home game for Subiaco who are promoting it as “family day out at the footy”.
“Make sure you bring your chair or picnic blanket as there is limited seating and no grandstand, only grass banks,” the club said.
Wanneroo Mayor Tracey Roberts said the City was “very excited to see Subiaco take on West Perth in what will be a grand final rematch on our very own turf” this Saturday.
Subiaco v West PerthSaturday, August 6 Kingsway Sporting Complex, Madeley 8.30am Gates open 9am Colts game 11.30am Reserves 1.30pm Kids Zone open 2.15pm League game 3.10pm Halftime Little League Junior Girls Kingsway v Stirling and Kingsway Auskick 4.30pm Kids Zone closed 5pm Integrated High Performance Squad game