Waters To Lead Young Brigade

SUBIACO youngster Rhys Waters believes he is just a small part of an impressive young brigade that will take the Lions back to the top of the WAFL.

The Sorrento-Duncraig product who has been a part of Subiaco’s Development Squad programs as well as State 16s and 18s squads was quick to turn the attention away from himself and onto his fellow rookies.

“There are going to be a few guys coming up,” he said.

“(Luke) Norris and (Justin) Joyce, who played a few games through the middle of the year, I think he enjoyed that a lot. He got sick towards the end of the year, which was disappointing for him.

“There’s (Simon) Moore and (Craig) Hoskins, they're going to be great players for this club, I can’t wait to see that.

“Joel Ashwin, Mitchy De Boer as well, we’ve all kind of embraced it and are trying to do everything right to earn our position.”

Coming out of rehab pre-Christmas, Waters has rejoined full training and said he is enjoying being back.

“I’m pretty happy to get out on the track. It’s been good, just really enjoying it so far, looking forward to the practice games,” he said.

“I’m looking to improve my fitness at the moment it’d be pretty good to get that up. Muddy (Chris Waterman) wants me in the gym, so I’ve been doing that as much as possible.”

Waters is the son of one-game Subiaco league players Jim Waters from Jurien Bay and the older brother of colts squad member Brad Waters. 

The four-game League player and Hale school product made the jump straight from colts to league and said it was quite a shock. 

“It was pretty intimidating coming up being the big fish in the colts coming up to be the small fish, the youngest player in the league side. It was good all the boys helped me out at training and in the games."

“There are bigger bodies, skills are up, they’re able to hit targets a lot more. You’ve got to run a lot harder the boys are a lot fitter and a lot stronger.

While Waters was confident in the ability of his colts teammates to make the step up to league football in 2012 he cited the influence of the ever-present leadership ground around the club as important in their development. 

“Forry (Rob Forrest), and that are trying to take players under their wings and guide them through. That helps a lot.”

Ben Cameron is a reporter of Subiaco Football Club. Follow him on twitter @bencameron23. This story was not subject to the approval of the West Australian Football League or its clubs.