Kerr to earn his Tigers stripes
The Goldfields Football League's worst-kept secret is official, with former West Coast champion Daniel Kerr lodging a clearance to join Boulder and is every chance to play against defending premiers Railways tomorrow.
Last week, each of the five senior coaches downplayed speculation Kerr was headed to the region.
But it became public knowledge on Thursday when Kerr's application to join Boulder appeared on the GFL web site.
Ahead of the Tigers' clash at league headquarters tomorrow, it was likely Kerr would be cleared in time.
It would end weeks of speculation on the future of the 220-game veteran and All-Australian, whose most recent playing stint was with Denmark-Walpole in the Great Southern Football League.
The West Coast premiership player and 2005 Brownlow Medal runner-up's paperwork was pending yesterday.
The first in a six-step process for Kerr to play in the GFL this weekend was completed by Denmark-Walpole, who officially released him on Thursday.
Kerr, however, still had to be cleared by the GSFL.
The Kalgoorlie Miner understands any agreement between Kerr and the club has been tailored with a focus on community values, including junior development and other behind the scenes work.
Boulder coach Bradley George steered clear of Kerr's pending selection.
"I was made aware of some bits and pieces, but whatever happens, happens," he said.
"When and if (a clearance is forthcoming), I'll then do what I have to do."
Boulder president Jeff Martin said the club would prefer "to wait until we have him (officially cleared) before we do anything".
Kerr made a one-off appearance in the GFL with Kambalda last season in conjunction with the Eagles' move into new clubrooms at the Kambalda Recreation Centre.
Boulder have a long history of recruiting high-profile footballers, dating back to 1986 when, after 24 consecutive losses, they recruited dual Sandover Medallist Stephen Michael.
Michael's arrival was arguably the greatest public relations exercise in GFL history and the fairytale was completed when the Tigers, in their 90th anniversary season, won the premiership.
