SUBIACO fought with Claremont for the minor premiership all season, before ultimately finishing second and then surprisingly bowing out in straight sets. Keeping the bulk of its list together outside the pair of gun talls who were drafted, the Lions will look to go again and remain a contender in the 2026 WAFLW season.

LAST SEASON

Finished: 2nd (Preliminary Final loss)
Wins: 12
Losses: 3
Draws: 1

Subiaco recruited heavily over the 2024/25 off-season and it paid dividends with some huge results throughout the year. The Lions were up to their neck in the minor premiership fight, and matched it with Claremont in the finals series. Unfortunately a heartbreaking finals series meant the Lions ultimately bowed out without any silverware, and now remain hungry to go deeper this year.

OFF-SEASON RECRUITS

Subiaco has focused on adding players to either end of the ground given the Lions’ midfield is arguably the best in the business. Former East Perth forward Courtney Lindgren will get plenty of opportunities inside 50, while her West Coast teammate Annabel Johnson also finds her way to Subiaco but unfortunately injury ended her time there. Has great leadership qualities and will be one to watch.

Alongside Johnson is developing former Giants Academy player Bridget Corcoran who will provide some drive out of defence to try and replace some of that element gone by the departure of Olivia Crane. There are still questions out up forward, but defensively the Lions patched up well. One such question might be answered by bringing in 30-year-old Caitie Smith who kicked three goals in Subiaco’s preseason trial match win over East Fremantle.

TOP-AGE DRAFT CHANCES

The other top-age AFLW Draft prospect in the Summer Squad is Scarlet Gallo, who will be looking to make every post a winner in 2026. After a big year last season with Olivia Wolmarans going pick one and Olivia Crane following suit, Subiaco’s draft contribution looks more to the mature-age contingent.

PRESEASON DRAFT HOPES

With the Lions having plenty of ready-made AFLW players, any one of Krstel Petrevski, Lisa Steane or Paige Sheppard could be called up to fill a midfield or forward void at the top level. Ruck Tess Lyons completes a stacked on-ball group that really impressed last season, while Eva Popovsky and Layla Quinn-Schofield are two classy midfielders with serious power in the front half.

The other three players eligible are over-age West Australian Summer Squad talent Macy Fair, defender/wing Sunni-Quay Peters and smart forward Charlotte Tompkin who all nominated for last year’s AFLW Draft. Fair will have a delayed start to the season coming off an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear last year.

OTHERS TO WATCH

Subiaco’s depth is quite strong even losing Wolmarans and Crane last season. Bottom-age talent Marley Kelman comes with big wraps, while Charlotte Newland and Hali Epis are two who impressed at different points behind the ball. Hayley Corlett is one of the premier wingers in the WAFLW, while Dahna Lee is another defender who can play a key role.

PREDICTION

Subiaco should be thereabout in the 2026 WAFLW season, amongst a really competitive top six teams. The Lions should beat the bulk of midfields with their experience and depth, it will be whether or not they can convert that dominance on the scoreboard. The team looks too good to miss finals, so keep an eye on how the Lions shape up early in the post-Wolmarans era.