West Perth finally get young gun on board
The three-month saga over where draft prospect Tyler Keitel plays this season is set to end today when the WAFL confirms the size of his transfer fee to join West Perth.
The Falcons are likely to pay $4000 to East Perth and agree to split any draft fees for the 19-year-old key-position player.
Keitel first attempted to join West Perth in January and was declared eligible for a clearance last month, but his move has been delayed as the two clubs went through arbitration over his eligibility to shift clubs and the transfer fee.
Keitel was denied permission to train with West Perth while the matter was being resolved and it was thought unlikely that he would be match fit until next month at the earliest.
However, Falcons defender Marcus Adams’ broken hand may mean Keitel is fast-tracked into the league team in the next two rounds.
West Perth president Brett Raponi was pleased the matter had finally been resolved but was critical of the WA Football Commission over the delays to Keitel’s clearance.
“West Perth have abided by the rules and twice presented our case with success to an independent arbitrator,” Raponi said.
“All we ask of the WAFC is to uphold and administer the very rules they have set. This flip-flopping and continual delays are disappointing and extremely frustrating for West Perth, Tyler and his family.”
Keitel’s move was originally opposed by seven of the nine WAFL clubs and the commission itself, which considered West Perth had used a loophole in the transfer rules to recruit a listed but uncontracted player who had never played league football.
But WAFL arbitrator Brendan Taylor found the rules were clear on the matter and allowed Keitel to move clubs.
It is understood that Taylor advised the WAFL to rewrite their rules if they did not reflect the competition’s view on transfer eligibility.
West Perth claimed Keitel was refused permission to play amateurs for Wanneroo an hour before the game on Saturday after the WAFC had told him last Thursday he could play.
