Subiaco are looking to avoid their first 0-3 start to a season for almost three decades when they take on a rejuvenated West Perth who will regain a handful of stars at Leederville Oval on Saturday.

The reigning premiers were last winless after the first three rounds in 1994 and have not lost three games in a row since 2013.

According to WAFL Footy Facts, West Perth was the last team to win a premiership from a 0-3 start, achieving the feat in 1951, having finished the season with a 14-7 record.

West Perth are set to welcome back a handful of stars, with Aaron Black, Luke Meadows, Noah Pegoraro, Tyler Keitel and Michael Mallard all coming back after having COVID-19.

Just six of the Falcons’ 56 players are yet to contract the virus.

They will be without Nathan Alexandre after he was suspended for three weeks for rough conduct for a bump that left Peel Thunder and Fremantle midfielder Neil Erasmus concussed.

In Subiaco’s favour is the fact they’ve won their past four clashes between the two sides at Leederville Oval, with the Falcons’ last win against the Lions at the ground coming in round 10, 2016.

Subiaco coach Beau Wardman said history wasn’t relevant in 2022 as they look to rebound with a win.

“Like other clubs, we’ve had a few challenges with COVID and players missing, so we haven’t had the continuity we would like,” Wardman said.

“We recognise the season is going to be played over 20 weeks and 18 weeks.

“The start of the season hasn’t been ideal, but we’re positive coming into the next few weeks.”

The Lions are set to regain Angus Dewar and Drew Rohde from COVID protocols, while several younger players have continued to step up in the absence of first-choice players.

Subiaco have been hit hard by injuries, with Harry Marsh (hernia) to be out until round four at the earliest, while premiership forward Jack Mayo ruptured his ACL in the pre-season and will miss the season.

Defender Michael Braut is still working his way back from a foot injury, while 2020 fairest and best Kyle Stainsby and Max Walters will again miss with COVID-19.