AFL legend Kevin Sheedy presented guernseys to the club’s senior players last week, imparting his unique brand of wisdom.
Sheedy also spoke with the under-16s development squad and a select audience of sponsors and members, who were told of his expectations for success at GWS, his leadership at Essendon, and his love of West Perth identities Bill Duckworth, Darren Bewick and Kepler Bradley, whom he coached at the Bombers.
The Falcons head into round one against South Fremantle at Fremantle Oval with some new faces at the club.
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READ NOWThe side added attacking players Max Duffy (Fremantle), Keegan Knott (Claremont) and Joel Leeson (Perth) in the off-season as it looks for more firepower.
Coach Bill Monaghan expected all of them to feature early for the Falcons given injuries to forwards Brayden Antonio and Corey Chalmers.
Monaghan also raised the prospect of Mark Hamilton, who joined the club last year from the Northern Territory on recommendation from former player Michael Pettigrew, making a league debut.
“He’s an athletic key position player who can pinch hit in the ruck, which he showed in the pre-season match against Perth so he looks like he’ll debut as well,” he said.
West Perth will be without Jordan Jones (Victoria), Matt Johnson (taking a break), Ray Bartholomew (retired) and Marc Crisp (retired) in 2016.
More on West Perth pre-season:
– Excitement builds for WAFL season opener
– Nick Rodda played grand final with bone fracture
– Coach Bill Monaghan describes disappointment over Shane Nelson fight injury