FOR the second time in West Perth coach Bill Monaghan’s nine-season tenure, the Falcons will not feature in round one when the WAFL campaign begins this weekend.
Speaking at the competition media launch on Tuesday, Monaghan admitted it felt “a little bit different” not being a part of the excitement for the first bouncedowns of the year.
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But he also saw it as an advantage in that he could scout their round-two opponent East Perth, which faces Peel on Saturday night.
“This week we get to sit back and see how it pans out,” he said. “Four fantastic games; I think everyone associated with WAFL footy should be excited about the start.
“Unfortunately we have to wait a week.”
Outside of the East Perth-Peel game, Monaghan said he would also watch a half each of the East Fremantle-Claremont and South Fremantle-Subiaco clashes.
It would give him a chance to watch all the teams the Falcons face in a tough four-round start to their season.
They meet heavyweight Subiaco in round three, premiership favourite South Fremantle in round four and reigning premier Peel in round five.
There will be a new look about West Perth in 2017, with the club having lost Rohan Kerr, Laine Rasmussen, Drew Rhode, Max Duffy, Luke Tedesco and Matt Johnson.
Among the Falcons’ recruits this year are former AFL-listed footballers in key position player Scott Simpson and outside runner Jarrhan Jacky.