Preseason Update

A Word from Damien McMahon

Welcome back to season 2013 at the Perth Football Club to all our members and supporters.I am sure you are all hanging out for an update about what's been happening over the summer break. You will have all read the West over the past few months and seen some positive stories regarding some new players joining us at Perth this year and also some disappointing departures.

I would firstly like to touch on the players that will not be taking part in season 2013. By now I am sure you would all be aware that our Caption Ross Young has recently made the big decision for him and Renee to move back home to Melbourne. Ross has decided to concentrate on his career and be closer to his family in Victoria. We all wish Ross all the very best and thank him for the wonderful contribution he has made in his five years at the club. I am sure one day Ross will be named a club legend in his era at the Perth Football Club.

Andrew McDougall and Jarrod Kayler -Thomson have both joined Subiaco unfortunately, both these players have been strong contributors for a long period of time. Jarrod being one of Perth’s best recruits in the past 10 years and Andrew played some great footy since his return from the AFL.

Everyone will be waiting to hear of Leon Davis, unfortunately Leon has decided to move back home to live with family in Northam and will not take part this season. We all wish Leon all the best and thank him for some spectacular games last season and congratulate him on an outstanding career. The door has been left open for Leon and knows he is welcome anytime to play a role at the Perth Football Club.

With the above players moving on, the club has been very proactive in the recruiting department. With a new direction with its recruiting policies, a player’s character is at the forefront closely followed by talent.

A host of new players are on board for season 2013:

• Chance Bateman, returns from Hawthorn FC - position midfield
• Kyle Remiers, Essendon FC - position half forward / midfield
• Jarrod Irons, returns from Port Adelaide FC - position wing / half back
• Jarrod Risol, Werribee FC - position centre half forward / centre half back
• Jackson Sketcher, Frankston FC - position midfield / half back
• Daniel Murray, East Perth, Brisbane FC, Peel Thunder - 200cm ruckman
• David Johnston, Peel thunder FC - 194cm centre half back / full back
• Mitchell Leyendekkers, Peel Thunder FC - 200cm ruckman
• Tyson Rowlings , West Perth FC- 195cm centre half back / full back
• Josh Stark, Glenelg FC - utility

This list is just a few of our new players we have recruited to the club this season, to add to a number of players that have come from our Perth district and country zone. Something that I am excited about is the strong group of last year colts players that are transitioning quickly in to our senior program. We currently have 12 young men striving to play league football this season and I can see a number of them making their league debut this year. Michael Sinclair, Daniel Arangio, Keiran Hug and Chad Sandilands have all been extremely committed and training exceptionally well. It's great for our club to have so many development players coming through our junior programs.

The pre season consisted of six weeks training pre Christmas and ten weeks of training prior to the commencement of the season opener on March 16th. The players have taken their training to a new level of commitment and professionalism and are making great progress. My belief is that we are enduring our hardest pre season in my ten years at the club. There is a great vibe around the group based on great attitudes and the willingness to work hard together.

Where are we at at the moment I can hear you all ask? I have heard it all before, every club thinks they are flying at this time of the year.

The reality is we have lost some players that will never be replaced but we all have to look forward at the current group. The past isn't worth talking about because it’s been unsuccessful, I am not writing to you to say we are going to win the premiership this year. What I ask is you come to the football this year with a open mind and a fresh outlook, give this new look young group all the support you can because you might be pleasantly surprised what a bunch of blue collar workers can dish up on a Saturday afternoon.

My aim as the coach is to have an extremely hard working, disciplined, dedicated, team orientated and united group that gets out there week after week and get their hands dirty for the Perth Football Club; a group of competitors that just keep having ago for this proud club. There is no doubt we will have some ups and downs but I can assure you this group will be giving it everything they’ve got to win as many games as they possibly can and that's all we can ask of any playing group.

What's been happening around the club in the football department?

We have been very fortunate to gain the services of Trevor Williams as our defensive coach, Trevor is one of the most experienced coaches in the WAFL and he has had an immediate impact on our playing group. Michael Broadbridge has joined us in a coaching capacity and will look after our forward line. Michael has a tremendous coaching back ground working in the AFL for 12 years and has a strong back ground in player development just like Trevor. Both these coaches add great experience to the coaching group and our players are already benefiting from their knowledge. Adam Pickering takes over as the midfield coach and has had an instant impact with some new tactics and a different mindset for his group. Adam advantage is his strong rapport with the playing group after a season spent as our development coach. We can expect a harder edged midfield this year.

Michael Saunders has taken over the Development/Reserves coaching role, Mike is going into his third season of coaching at the Perth Football Club and will relish the opportunity to coach his own group. Mike has a great understanding of developing young men and has a nurturing nature that will bring the best out of this young group.

This season we have split our strength and conditioning program into three compartment with the view to take us to a new level of fitness and injury prevention along with rehabilitation. This is a first for the Perth Football Club and we are seeing some great results with players reaching personal bests and spending more time on the training track. Jackson Dennis heads up this program; Jackson has a playing background and currently works with the West Coast Eagles throughout the week and runs our program in the evenings. Jackson also has Kevin Mulchay looking after our players gym programs and Daniel Stead running our Rehab program's. This combination has a new level of professionalism that will assist our players in being better athletes and will flow on to their football development.

An update on our injured players:

Haydn Busher has had some setbacks in his return to training. He will miss the start of the season, however plans to be playing in the early part of the season, I can assure you all he has left no stone unturned and will do everything he can to be back in a red and black jumper as soon as possible. Michael Mather is recovering from a shoulder reconstruction and is on track for round one, Mick has been training strongly with a great attitude towards his football. Joel Houghton has unfortunately had a set back with a broken hand and like Hayden will miss the start of the season. On a more positive not you will be all pleased to hear Scott Siekierka is back training and is making great progress and is on target to play round one. Scott's recovery has been quite remarkable and credit to him on working so hard to get up and going after such a debilitating injury in round one last season.

Players that have been impressive on the track so far.

Simon Donavan has taken his fitness to a new level and is set for a great season. Reece Richardson is stepping up his intensity and is one of the fittest at the club. Jarrod Risol’s running ability has set a new standard for our talls, to be 190cm plus and win most of our running events is a indication on how serious he is about his football being a new recruit at the club. Matt Moody is the fittest and leanest I have seen him in his time at Perth. Brad Fry has stepped up and now has the fitness level that should see him play more league football, Brad has been running with our midfielders and finishing in the top five in most events. Christian Eyres has taken his football to a new level with a strong commitment to his endurance. Christian is setting himself up to be a regular league player in 2013.

Players to watch out for in season 2013.

Paul Bevan has been training at the level you would expect for a player of his experience, setting a great example for our young players and showing great leadership. Daniel O'Sullivan has been a real leader so far and is in great physical condition, if Daniel can maintain this he will be in for a fantastic season. Chance Bateman has had an instant impact on the group showing great leadership and voice. Ali Smith has stepped up his voice and leadership and has brought in to the new coaches and players, we see Ali being a dominate team player this year. Brennan Stack is the like the sleeping giant who has just awoken and will be ready to light up our forward line. Brett Hodge continues to set the bench mark for all our young boys with his leadership and commitment to the team environment. These are just a few players that I can see having strong season along with many others that are tracking along nicely.

So far it's been a pleasure working with a group of people that have been keen to just work hard and take up any challenge that has been thrown at them. I can't wait to start the season and see what our players can achieve. We look forward to your support throughout the year.

To all our members, supporters and sponsors please be assured there is a lot of people doing a lot of work to make sure this club is heading in the right direction. There are many challenges in the WAFL world at the moment so all please continue to support a great club with a great future made up of quality people.

See you at the football.

Damien McMahon, Senior Coach