FORMER Fremantle ruckman Zac Clarke has sent another reminder to AFL recruiters there is life left in his 28-year-old legs with a dominant performance as Subiaco completed the dream undefeated season in Sunday's WAFL Grand Final.
Delisted by the Dockers last year after a 101-game career was cut short by a knee problem, Clarke showed he retains plenty of athleticism as the Lions overpowered West Perth in a one-sided 71-point victory at Optus Stadium.
Clarke set Subi's star-studded engine room on their way with 50 hit-outs, and had 17 possessions to help Jarrad Schofield's side claim redemption after back-to-back Grand Final losses to Peel sides stacked with Freo players.
A towering pack mark and third-quarter goal capped Clarke's day out, and the 203cm big man could be on West Coast's radar in November's drafts, with the Eagles likely to lose free agent Scott Lycett and seeking ruck cover for injured star Nic Naitanui.
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Appearing in their fifth successive Grand Final, the Lions absorbed West Perth's best punches in the opening 10 minutes before clinically dismantling the Falcons in a 19.13 (127) to 7.4 (46) thumping.
Powerhouse Subiaco wasted opportunities early, but still romped to a 27-point quarter-time lead and waltzed to victory in front of 25,064 supporters.
Lions captain Kyal Horsley took home the Simpson Medal as best afield after racking up 34 touches, with 10 inside 50s and two goals, but the Lions had winners all over the ground.
Ben Sokol and Kyle Halligan both bagged five goals, while ex-Docker Josh Deluca had 29 disposals.
West Perth skipper Aaron Black never gave up, finishing with 27 disposals and two goals, while Shane Nelson (28) found plenty of footy on a tough day against a classy opponent.
Subiaco skipper Kyal Horsley celebrates a goal with his teammates. Picture: Getty Images
Schofield's men have been in a different league to their rivals all season, and became just the third team in WAFL history to go unbeaten, and the first since East Fremantle in 1946.
Attention will now turn to Schofield's future, with the 2004 Port Adelaide premiership star being courted by the Power for an assistant coaching role.
With three WAFL flags under his belt, he is considered a rising star in coaching ranks and his son Taj is a father-son prospect for the Power in 2020.
Taj, aged 16, played in the Colts curtain-raiser against Swan Districts on Sunday, picking up 19 touches as the Lions' youngsters won a two-point thriller.
Tristan Hobley was named best afield after collecting a game-high 28 disposals, boosting his hopes of an invite to the state draft combine next month.
Leading WA draft hopeful Luke Foley was solid with 22 possessions and seven marks, while Jarrod Cameron – the younger brother of Brisbane star Charlie – booted two goals in a lively display.
Cameron is available to the Eagles as a Next Generation Academy product in this year's draft.
Subiaco claimed victory in the reserves Grand Final by three goals over East Perth on Sunday, completing a remarkable clean sweep of the three grades in 2018.
SUBIACO 4.4 9.8 15.11 19.13 (127)
WEST PERTH 0.1 2.3 4.3 7.4 (46)
GOALS
Subiaco: Sokol 5, Halligan 5, Waters 3, Horsley 2, Newton, Phelan, Wheelan, Clarke
West Perth: Chalmers 2, Black 2, Strijk, Peirce, Mills
BEST
Subiaco: Horsley, Clarke, Sokol, Phelan, Halligan, Deluca, Waters
West Perth: Black, Peirce, Nelson, Chalmers
