FALCONS' IMPROVEMENT TO COME FROM WITHIN
By Chris Pike
West Perth coach Bill Monaghan is backing in a host of players that had limited campaigns in 2009 and a good mix of youngsters to ensure the Falcons maintain their spot near the top of the WAFL this year.
The Falcons have made the finals the last two seasons and Monaghan is confident of that happening again.
While veterans Troy Longmuir and Craig Smoker have retired, Smoker has moved into a coaching role and fellow experienced players Clayton Lasscock, Callum Chambers and Brent LeCras can provide the veteran leadership on the field.
Josh Pearce didn’t play after Round 3 with a neck injury so is basically like a new recruit, with Jeff Gobbels back fit after only playing six games and Lasscock, Dustin Burns, Dion Fleay, Dan Hunt and Jay Van Berlo are in much better shape than this time last year.
Adam Campbell is also gone from the forward-line as he joins Subiaco, but he had a disappointing 2009 season with just 23 goals from his 17 games. Jack Darling, LeCras and Anthony Tsalikis should provide enough goals in attack still for the Falcons.
Mark Seaby played 17 of the 21 games for West Perth last season in the ruck while out of favour with the Eagles, but his move to Sydney opens the door for both Chris Keunen and Mitch Andrews to step up and lead the way.
Chris Keunen will play a bigger role in the ruck this year
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