Sport
13 June, 2025
Sibson sees natural improvement
In his eighth year at Great Western and second year as coach, Nigel Sibson has seen an improvement in 2025.
In 2024, the Lions finished tenth, winning four games, and are currently sitting eighth with two wins, but have shown a lot of improvement.
Sibson started playing for the Lions in 2018 and was involved in various coaching roles before deciding to take up the gig in 2024.
“I love to mentor and teach the game to the younger generation,” Sibson said.
“Being involved in various coaching roles across my career, it was that progression that enabled me to take up senior coaching.”
Sibson highlighted natural growth as the reason for their improvement.
“We have had a turnover in players, and new players have come in, but the natural growth within our squad has helped us across the board,” Sibson said.
The Lions' main problem this season has been consistency.
“We have been inconsistent a lot in games,” Sibson said.
“There are signs that when we play with the right methods, we can hit the scoreboard heavily.
“We are learning the hard way that at senior level you need to play four quarters to compete week in and week out.”
Training is the key to overcoming the problem according to Sibson.
“We need to maintain high intensity and intent at training,” Sibson said.
“It’s hard to simulate what you get on a Saturday, but we try and get as close as possible at training to maintain that intensity."
The game on Saturday against Penshurst is not only a big one on the field for Great Western, but also a big day off the field with the club honouring their Indigenous players at the club.
They will be wearing special Indigenous guernseys designed by local Paul Kelly in collaboration with their players from the Northern Territory. The guernseys feature Totems of all the Northern Territory players.
Senior football coach Nigel Sibson said it’s a huge week.
“We started a project with the Northern Territory guys back in 2018 and they have been here ever since in various levels,” Sibson said.
“We had had two or three over the years, but this year we have five, so the strong relationship we have, has given us a good chance to showcase that relationship with this special occasion.
“We go into every game wanting to win, but sometimes the occasions narrative is bigger than footy, and this is one of those occasions.”
Before the senior game, there will be an official pre-game ceremony.
On the field, Sibson knows Penshurst will be a great challenge but knows if they play consistent football, they are in with a chance.
“If it wasn’t for inconsistency in the last couple of games, we would have put ourselves in a better position on the ladder, and we know we need to overcome that if we are to win,” Sibson said.
“They have started slower than everyone thought coming off a premiership but now look like they are hitting their straps.
“It will be a tough contest, but we need to play all four quarters and if we do that, we give ourselves a great chance.”
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