WEST PERTH-SUBIACO RIVALRY CONTINUES TO GROW

WEST Perth and Subiaco continue to build a growing rivalry thanks to the proximity of the two club's zones and the familiarity the players have with one another, and this Saturday's clash doubles as the Falcons' 2003 premiership reunion at Arena Joondalup.

West Perth players like Aaron Black (Kingsley), Andrew Strijk (Carine), Anthony Tsalikis (Ocean Ridge), James Batterham (Carine) and Laine Rasmussen (Sorrento/Duncraig) are right on the border of being zoned to Subiaco highlighting the close proximity of the two clubs.

While Subiaco players like Rhys Waters (Sorrento/Duncraig), Mark Nicoski (Carine), Aidan Parker (Carine), Chris Phelan (Kingsley), Simon Moore (Sorrento/Duncraig), David Madut (Kingsway) and Michael Wood (Sorrento/Duncraig) are on the edge of also being zoned to West Perth.

As a result of the closeness of the two club's zones, a host of West Perth and Subiaco players have grown up together and have close friendships perhaps best highlighted by former Falcon Jeff Gobbels and his good ex-Lions mate Blake Broadhurst.

The pair are currently playing together with reigning Eastern Football League premiers Balwyn in Victoria.

While having players know each other so well at either club builds a natural rivalry, the club has also developed quite a history on the field as well particularly since the Falcons moved to Joondalup and the Lions took up residence at Leederville.

Back in 1995, Subiaco won 19 games that season before West Perth went on to beat them in the grand final. The Falcons then won 16 of the next 17 games against Subiaco and also knocked off the Lions in the 2003 grand final with the reunion of that premiership taking place this Saturday.

However, in the late 2000s Subiaco turned the rivalry around winning nine straight matches including the 2008 second semi-final and preliminary final of 2011.

And as it happens with West Perth celebrating its premiership reunion this Saturday, Subiaco also happened to be commemorating its flag from back in 1973 in the first meeting between the two sides this year back in Round 2 when the Falcons prevailed by 24 points at Medibank Stadium.

West Perth president Brett Raponi is excited to be commemorating the 2003 flag at Arena Joondalup this Saturday.

"It is a big day for the football club. We celebrate our 2003 premiership which coincidentally was against the Subiaco Football Club," Raponi said.

"Darren Harris, Brendan Fewster, Steve Trewhella, Kim Rigoll and all the legends will be there including Kepler Bradley who is recovering from a knee injury."

Falcons defender Jordan Jones also has no doubt that the current group of West Perth players can learn plenty and gain plenty of inspiration from having the club's last premiership side on hand come Saturday.

"It's obviously a great achievement to win a premiership and a lot of the boys still come down to the club, and a lot of the boys know a few of those past players quite well," Jones said.

We want to be successful like they were and you obviously get a bit of a lift from having them there. You ask them a few questions to see how they worked through situations and things like that. It's very beneficial for the footy club to have them around."

BY CHRIS PIKE