Woosha comments stump Kerr manager
The playing future of champion West Coast midfielder Daniel Kerr could be decided in the coming weeks after Eagles coach John Worsfold indicated his return to the team was not automatic despite a best-on-ground effort for East Fremantle on Saturday.
Worsfold's post-match remarks are understood to have sparked requests for an explanation from Kerr's manager Colin Young who, when contacted yesterday would say only: "I am absolutely mystified by John's quotes."
West Coast will need some midfield reinforcement this week after Luke Shuey injured a hamstring against Sydney on Sunday, forcing him to miss the next three games. The Eagles have also declared that defender Beau Waters will not play again in 2013, sending him for shoulder surgery.
Back-up ruckman Callum Sinclair (knee) is also done for the year after an operation yesterday. Jacob Brennan will miss two weeks, possibly three, with a calf injury. Nic Naitanui is sore and could be rested this week if Scott Lycett beats a striking charge at the WAFL Tribunal.
Kerr is nursing a knee complaint that has dogged him since last year.
The 2005 Brownlow Medal runner-up has a year of a contract to run and West Coast could face a payout of $500,000 to $600,000 if the club wanted him to retire early.
He will be available for the Eagles' game against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium next Sunday after a rough-conduct report against him from the match against Subiaco was withdrawn.
Kerr caught the eye in his return to WAFL ranks with 31 possessions.
Though Worsfold indicated that Scott Selwood could return to the team after a month's absence with a thumb injury sustained against Hawthorn in round 13, he was not so definite on Kerr.
"Potentially we get Scott Selwood back next week, maybe," Worsfold said after the loss to the Swans.
"Then we have got to make the call on whether Daniel is going to be able to run games out well enough, adding him in as well.
"We will go through all of that throughout the week once we know where we sit with it all."
Kerr, 30, who has played 220 games for West Coast, had 25 and 19 possessions in his past two hit-outs for the Eagles, against Hawthorn and Essendon, before being sidelined with his knee problem.
"While he does his good stoppage work, other players are having to pick up the slack around the ground," Worsfold said.
"Daniel has to be up and be able to run and play offensive and defensive footy as well as being good at stoppages.
"That is what we have to measure going into next week's game.
"Is one hit-out enough to say that he can run at AFL level like he needs to be able to run?"
Worsfold told Seven News last night he was close to a decision on whether to coach on next year.
"Yeah, I've got a really good idea," he said, adding that he would "probably tell the club first".
"Daniel has to be up and be able to run and play offensive and defensive footy as well ..."" *John Worsfold *
