WAFL: weather to influence West Perth game plan against Subiaco

WITH severe weather forecast for Saturday, it’s difficult to predict how we will approach the clash against Subiaco at Leederville Oval.

If it reaches 50km/h winds with heavy rain and thunderstorms, as has been suggested, that’s obviously going to throw game plans for ball movement and running patterns out the window.

It will become a bit of a scrap with a focus on gaining territory and locking the ball in the front half.

The Lions are big bodied so wet weather footy certainly won’t be detrimental to them.

But we’d like to think they’d also view us as a threat; our guys have played some really good football in the rain in recent years.

When it comes down to it, Subiaco is the best team in the competition so wet or dry weather, we’ll need to be at our best to beat them.

East Fremantle’s defeat of the Lions in round eight will provide us with some handy pointers.

The Sharks became one of only a few sides in recent seasons able to starve Subiaco of possession.

Seemingly, it was their high-tempo running game with a lot of handpasses and short kicks that exposed the Lions in the 80-point win.

So we’ll look at elements like that, but also need to trust in our own game plan.

And, again, if the weather’s bad, none of it will be relevant.

Experienced players Joe Morrow and Laine Rasmussen return from injury this week.

We’re left with a challenge of how to squeeze them into the side given our strong form.

Luke Tedesco is touch-and-go because he pulled up sore from the reserves match against Peel before the bye. Unfortunately, forward Joel Leeson endured ligament damage and a broken bone in his hand during a tackle against Peel. Chris Keunen may return from a broken leg to play reserves this week.