News
By Chris Pike
THREE times Subiaco premiership skipper Marc Webb has rebounded to near career-best form in 2009 and plays his 150th game with the Lions on Saturday.
Webb struggled a little in 2008 due to injury and because of that had some concerns if his body would allow him back to his best, but he did hold the premiership cup aloft for the third time in September and after a strong pre-season, is leading the Lions' midfield again.
The lure of playing 150 games with Subiaco and becoming a life member was a definite spur on for Webb to continue his career in 2009 and it will be right up there as career achievements with the four premierships he's played in, three of which he did as captain.
"It was definitely one of my goals at the start of the year and it's a special club, we've achieved a lot the last few years and I've been really keen to reach 150 games to get life membership. It was one of the main reasons I played on and I really enjoy the club," Webb said.
"We have a great atmosphere there with a core group of guys who have played together a while and we're all close mates. When you have a disappointing individual year you want to prove that you can still play a bit and have a goal that you want to reach, like the 150 games for a great club."
Subiaco's midfield lost Mark Haynes, Chris Hall, Daniel Rich and Jarrod Schofield last year, so some younger players have been given a chance but Webb has averaged 24 possessions and led the way, which has pleased him after he had some doubt if he could be back to his best.
"Having a pre-season where I didn’t do a great deal of running, but a lot of cross training really helped and the fitness staff and coaches set out a great program. Last year I was struggling injury wise this time of the year, but now I'm feeling fit and really good," he said.
When the likes of Mark Thompson construct a game plan that enables his side to run and carry the football through the corridor, with lots of handball and aggressive running, not only do the other AFL clubs copy it but also Junior Football Clubs. Coaches and players begin adopting this style of play because they can see what affects it has had on AFL footy and what success it has bought the teams who use it.
