,Keitel ready for Falcons debut
Tyler Keitel’s agonising wait on the sidelines will end when he lines up for West Perth’s reserves at HBF Arena on Monday, after the long-running dispute over his future was resolved yesterday.
The 19-year-old key-position prospect, who was overlooked in last year’s national draft, has been waiting for a ruling for three months after East Perth contested his attempt to move to the Falcons.
An arbitrator ruled on a transfer fee, understood to be $5000, on Tuesday night, with the deal confirmed yesterday, allowing Keitel to train with his new club last night.
The teenager’s move was originally opposed by seven of the nine WAFL clubs and the commission, 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.
East Perth football manager Mark Winnett said they were extremely disappointed with the result.
“We believe the decision goes completely against two key pillars that WAFL clubs are built on, which is the district model and the WAFL talent pathway,” he said.
“We had the support of seven WAFL clubs and the WAFL. It’s one that is probably hard to swallow.”
Winnett said the club wished Keitel well, but was not happy with the transfer fee.
“Not for a player of that ability and talent,” he said.
“For a player we developed all the way through (from) the age of 14 to be able to play senior football, it was a really disappointing result.”
West Perth president Brett Raponi was delighted the deal had been resolved, but said it should not have taken so long.
“The rule was black and white and the arbitrator saw it that way,” he said.
Keitel was due to train with the colts last night and will join the league team at training tonight.
West Perth coach Bill Monaghan confirmed Keitel would play reserves on Monday and his availability for the league side would be decided on form.
