PERTH FINALISES LIST AHEAD OF 2014 SEASON

PERTH FINALISES LIST AHEAD OF 2014 SEASON

BY ANDREW OWEN

With the start of the 2014 WAFL season fast approaching it is that time of the year when we look at the players that have departed the club in the offseason and those who have arrived, hoping to make an impact for their new side.

The offseason has seen Perth add some promising players to their list, headlined by the inclusions of Mitch Morton from Sydney and Cale Morton from West Coast. Add to this the re-signing of club captain Paul Bevan and Chance Bateman’s commitment to another year of football and the squad is looking very promising according to Football Operations Manager, Brendan Kays. “During the preseason there has been a lot of hard work.  The group has gelled really well together.  The camaraderie within the group has grown since last year.”

When asked which of the new recruits had been setting the pace during the preseason Kays mentioned several names to look out for. “Cale Morton came in just after Christmas and had minor knee surgery but his fitness and his running ability has really stood out.” “Tim Hunt who has come across from Warrnambool and has played a few games for Collingwood in the VFL and played for the Geelong Falcons in the TAC Cup is a player with exceptional fitness.” “Jarryd Morton all though he is not new this year is leading all the running and fitness drills at this stage of the preseason.”

Kays also made special mention of Joel Leeson who had a breakout year in 2013. “Someone I look forward to seeing play this year is Joel Leeson.  Joel has really matured in his training, is leading in a lot of the fitness drills at this stage of the preseason and I would like to see him put himself in a position to play state football this year.”

With all the new players at the club there have been some familiar faces over the last couple of seasons that will not be there in 2014. “Matt Tedesco will not be playing this year.  He has decided that he needs a year off.  Unfortunately the rigors of WAFL football have been quite demanding on him.”

Another player that will not be at the club this year is Ali Smith who has gone back home to Northam. “Ali Smith is a big loss for us.  I’m a big fan of Ali’s.” “He has just bought a second truck in relation to a boiler making business which unfortunately has ended his efforts in getting to training.  He has gone home and will play for Northam Federals in the Avon Football Association.”

Other players to leave the club are Jason Currie who will line up for Kalamunda, Jackson Sketcher who returned home to Melbourne due to homesickness and will play for Bendigo Gold in the VFL, Kyle Reimers who will play for Aberfeldie in the Essendon District Football League and Kane Ransted who will play for Kyneton in the Bendigo Football League.

Kays also said that a decision had not yet been made whether Julian Jacobs will play this year as Jacobs is currently away with work. “Jacobs is currently still working in Newman and is returning in March.  A decision will be made on Julian’s fitness and where he is at then.  It’s just a bit difficult with him working away at the moment.”

In other team news, Jarrod Irons has switched from guernsey number 30 to number 2 and Cameron Manuel will now occupy guernsey number 18 after previously wearing number 48.

Cale Morton (22)

Previous Clubs: Claremont/Melbourne/West Coast

Height: 192cm

Weight: 82kg

Position: Defender

WAFL Games: 21

AFL Games: 76

Kaysy’s Comment: Cale should be playing half back/wing or possibly key position at times.  He is an elite runner with excellent skills and good size and will be an asset to the club.

Mitch Morton (1)

Previous Clubs: Claremont/West Coast/Richmond/Sydney

Height: 188cm

Weight: 82kg

Position: Midfield

WAFL Games: 44

AFL Games: 83

Kaysy’s Comment: Mitch has got a big body and has excellent skills which will be used off the half back and through the midfield this season.  He has led the goal kicking in the NEAFL for a couple of years now and on occasions could possibly find himself up forward.

Gerald Ugle (8)

Previous Clubs: Beverley FC/GWS

Height: 180cm

Weight: 80kg

D.O.B: 31/1/93

Position: Midfield

WAFL Games: 1

Kaysy’s Comment: Gerald Ugle will play on ball/half forward.  He has assisted the club with its indigenous program and he will be good to have around the club.

Chris Billings (19)

Previous Clubs: Rossmoyne/Perth

Height: 190cm

Weight: 94kg

D.O.B: 10/12/87

Position: Utility

WAFL Games: 68

Kaysy’s Comment: He will play forward this year and at stages be used down back.  He can also be used as a wingman.  He has worked hard during the preseason and it is good to have someone of Chris’s size back at the club.

Blake Borrett (42)

Previous Clubs: East Perth

Height: 192cm

Weight: 93kg

D.O.B: 5/11/92

Position: Defender

Kaysy’s Comment: Blake came to us early in the preseason after winning the fairest and best in the East Perth development side last year.  He was a member of the State 18’s in 2011 before undergoing a knee reconstruction.  He is a good athlete and we hope that he can hold down a key position and on the odd occasion go through the ruck.

Rowan Brookes (30)

Previous Clubs: East Perth

Height: 185cm

Weight: 80kg

Position: Forward

D.O.B: 8/5/92

WAFL Games: 18

Kaysy’s Comment: Rowan has come across from East Perth, was a member of the State 18’s in 2010 and has played 18 league games for the Royals in the last three years.  He will hopefully play high half forward.  He has elite skills but needs to work on his fitness.

Kodie Fleay (51)

Previous Clubs: Beverley

Height: 176cm

Weight: 70kg

Position: Midfield

D.O.B: 11/3/94

Kaysy’s Comment: Kodie played colts for Perth two years ago, is hard at it and a real in and under player.  He will be an asset because this is an area we have lacked in.

Chris Franklin (32)

Previous Clubs: East Perth/Manjimup Tigers FC

Height: 175cm

Weight: 65kg

D.O.B: 17/12/88

Position: Forward

WAFL Games: 4

Kaysy’s Comment: Chris played four games at East Perth in 2011.  He is a lightly built forward with elite skills and excellent pace.  He needs to work on his endurance.

Tim Hunt (27)

Previous Clubs: Collingwood (VFL)/Warrnambool FC

Height: 178cm

Weight: 70kg

D.O.B: 3/6/90

Position: Midfield

Kaysy’s Comment: Tim played 20 plus games for Collingwood in the VFL after coming through the TAC Cup system.  Has played for Warrnambool in the Hampden Football League for the past two years and won the Maskell Medal (Competition Fairest and Best) in 2012.  He will play in the midfield this year and is an in and under type of player.

Bradley Keast (49)

Previous Clubs: Kalgoorlie City FC

Height: 182cm

Weight: 80kg

D.O.B: 6/8/91

Position: Midfield

Kaysy’s Comment: Bradley played for Kalgoorlie City in the Goldfields Football League last season, playing in the grand final side.  He is a tough midfielder and hopefully can play league football this year.

Sean Lynch (16)

Previous Clubs: South Fremantle

Height: 190cm

Weight: 77kg

D.O.B: 20/1/94

Position: Midfield

Kaysy’s Comment: Sean was a member of the State 16’s in 2010 and State 18’s in 2011/12.  He has come across from South Fremantle after playing one league game there in 2013 and we see a bright future for Sean.  He was training with the Box Hill Hawks in the VFL and has decided to come home.

Scott Moore (58)

Previous Clubs: Belmont JFC/Boddington FC

Height: 177cm

Weight: 75kg

Position: Midfield

D.O.B: 13/9/90

Kaysy’s Comment: Scott’s come back to the club and will be playing through the middle of the ground this season.  I’m looking forward to seeing him establish himself as a league player.  He is very fit and training really well.

Ben Power (28)

Previous Clubs: Trinity Aquinas AFC

Height: 195cm

Weight: 98kg

D.O.B: 27/2/90

Position: Defender

Kaysy’s Comment: Ben was in the colts system a few years ago and has come back to the club as a man mountain.  He is a big strong boy and has fitted in well with the rest of the playing group.  We are hopeful that he is able to hold down a key position, which at this stage looks to be centre half back

Brock Bakker (34)

Previous Clubs: Jurien Bay FC

Height: 175cm

Weight: 70kg

D.O.B: 23/2/93

Position: Midfield

Kaysy’s Comment: Brock comes to us after playing for Jurien Bay in the Central Midlands Coast Football League.  He won the fairest and best award for Jurien Bay in 2013.  He was spoken to at the start of preseason about his fitness and what levels he needs to get to.  To his credit he took up the challenge and is now one of the fittest at the club.  He will play midfield in our development side and hopefully crack a league game throughout the year.

Matt White (54)

Previous Clubs: Mount Isa Rovers/Boddington

Height: 178cm

Weight: 78kg

D.O.B: 7/9/92

Position: Midfield

Kaysy’s Comment: Matt was on the rookie list at GWS for a while and played at Boddington last year in the Upper Great Southern Football League.  He is a tough midfielder with a good sized body we are hopeful that he can hold down a league spot.