Lions Legend Reflects on Golden EraWednesday, May 7, 2025 - 9:05 AM

One of Subiaco’s favourite sons is officially being recognised as a legend of the club this weekend.

Neil Randall will be announced as the Club’s Ball Legend ahead of Subiaco’s Saturday night fixture against Swan Districts at Sullivan Logistics Stadium.

Randall, who was born in Mt Barker, played 210 WAFL matches including 152 with Subiaco and 58 with South Fremantle.

A talented half forward flanker, Randall kicked 297 goals during his career.

With more than 40 years of experience as a player, volunteer, coach and administrator Randall is a much loved figure at the Lions.

“I’m deeply honoured, especially this being the 25th edition of the Ball Legend,” Randall said.

“My first coach, mentor and mate Hadyn Bunton was our first Ball Legend in 2000.”

Randall joined Subiaco 55 years ago at a time when the club was enduring a premiership drought.

“I first signed in 1970 after being recruited by Hadyn,” he said.

“We took out the Premiership in 1973 after not winning won since 1924 which was a massive achievement for everyone.

“A few barren years followed that triumph in the late 1970’s and after four years at South Fremantle I returned to Subiaco in 1985 as Chairman of Selectors with Hadyn and Trevor Nisbett.”

Subiaco consolidated its place as a WAFL powerhouse, playing in five Grand Finals and winning two flags, in 1986 and 1988. 

Randall’s role as an administrator continued through the 1990’s.

“I was elected Vice President in the late 1990’s and we appointed Kevan Sparks as coach,” Randall said.

“We bought a bit of culture and Subi spirit into the club and while we didn’t win a Premiership we played in four Preliminary Finals in his four years as coach.” 

The turn of the century produced even more September success for Subiaco and Randall.

“We appointed Peter German as coach and we won the 2004 Premiership,” he said. 

“I became president in 2005 and we completed the three-peat in 2006/2007/2008 for the first time in Subiaco’s history.

“A very proud moment for me and our family was when Ben played in the 2006/7 Premierships and Jon played in our Reserves 2007 flag.” 

Randall, now 71, also was a strong contributor to the West Australian Football Commission.

“When I was elected a WAFC Commissioner in 2012 and ended my involvement at Subiaco it was great to hand over the Presidency to my great friend Mark Lawrence who was our Vice President for seven years and claims he was Subi’s best VP ever,” Randall joked. 

Lawrence also enjoyed tremendous success with the club taking home five Premierships. 

“So between us we won eight Premierships more than the club had achieved in 100 years, so I’m obviously very proud of this part of history,” he said.

Randall has paid tribute to the support he has been given by his family over the years.

“In those five decades of footy I was running hotels and had a very understanding family, especially Lee-Anne who almost raised our three boys single handedly,” Randall said. 

“It’s a source of pride that our boys all played footy at Subiaco and we ran The Paddington Alehouse as a family for 30 years.”

For many at Sullivans Logistics Stadium, Randall is Subiaco royalty.