Falcons’ 100 per cent committed to the good of the WAFL
18/Oct/2012
By Mark Donaldson, Joondalup Weekender
AS an announcement on an Eagles and Dockers WAFL alignment draws closer, West Perth officials moved to reinforce the Falcons’ commitment to the local district.
West Perth was one of the first teams rumoured to be in alignment talks with West Coast, but club bosses emphatically denied any discussions had taken place.
Falcons president Raponi said he did not know what had sparked the rumours.
“Let me tell you, WPFC have never had a conversation with the West Coast Eagles or the Western Australian Football Commission regarding any such action,” he said.
“There has never even been a board discussion on the subject.”
Raponi remained firm in his view that if any change to WAFL club structure was to be considered, then it had to be for the good of the league.
He said it was yet to be proven this new approach, heavily rumoured to involve East Perth (West Coast) and Peel (Fremantle), would be of benefit.
“We understand the two AFL clubs have a particular view on what they require to improve,” he said.
“We don’t necessarily agree with the view, but we respect it none the less.”
Raponi said West Perth remained “100 per cent committed” to developing its metropolitan and country districts.
“We want to give as many young footballers as possible from Whitfords to Wanneroo to Yanchep in the city and the young men from wider Wheatbelt towns, the opportunity to play for the West Perth Football Club,” he said.
“We want these young men to play AFL and we believe WPFC and our junior district clubs have an outstanding track record in this field.”
He pointed to recent draftees such as Sydney’s Jordan Lockyer, West Coast’s Mark LeCras and Jack Darling and brothers Stephen and Bradley Hill at Fremantle and Hawthorn as proof of the development program’s success.