Unbeaten Subiaco would challenge the bottom few AFL teams if they played them this season, according to the only current WAFL player to have won a premiership in the national league.

After observing at close quarters the preparation and performances of the eight Subiaco players in the victorious WA team last week, East Perth star Sharrod Wellingham had no doubt that the Lions would provide a formidable test for teams such as Brisbane or Carlton.

“Subi would certainly take it up to some of the lower ranked AFL sides the way they are playing at the moment,” he said.

“They run so deep and their experience goes a long way.”

Wellingham, who won an AFL flag with Collingwood in 2010, said Subiaco’s rise was proof of the growing quality of the WAFL competition.

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Wellingham joined East Perth this season after playing 12 matches at the West Coast aligned-club during his five years at the Eagles.

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“I am not surprised but I am impressed by the standard of the WAFL,” he said.

“It is not too far off the AFL’s standard of football.

“It is a testament to the WAFL and the WA Football Commission the standard of footy being played at the moment.”

And Wellingham said he had gained significant information to take back to East Perth after playing alongside WA and Subiaco captain Kyal Horsley, league veterans Chris Phelan and Brad Stevenson, and fellow Lions representatives Lachlan Delahunty, Leigh Kitchin, Aaron Heal, Angus Litherland and Rhys Waters.

“To be honest they handled themselves the way AFL footballers would handle themselves in terms of their professionalism, the way they went about training and the way they saw the game,” he said.

“They have great game knowledge, which was really impressive. It goes to show the amount of work that (coach Jarrad) Schofield has been able to do down there.”

As Subiaco prepare for their grand final rematch against last year’s victors Peel, Wellingham’s team faces a tough match against second-placed South Fremantle at Leederville Oval tomorrow. Both teams are 4-1 with their only loss coming from a Subiaco mauling.

Camera Icon Wellingham opted to stick with East Perth this season. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper

Wellingham was impressed by State debutant Blaine Johnson, who he thought had considerable upside and could have a big impact if he got a second chance in the AFL.

Johnson, 22, played seven games for Carlton four years ago but has since become a key member of South Fremantle’s potent forward line.

“He is quietly spoken and keeps to himself but he has the ability to turn a game,” Wellingham said.

“He is super strong, really fast and can tear games open, but I don’t think he realises that yet.”