Kerr on outer in Eagles nest
West Coast champion Daniel Kerr's future at the club beyond this season is in doubt following a disagreement over the treatment of his injured knee and an incident at Crown Perth earlier this month.
Kerr, 30, has not played for the Eagles since their round-14 loss to Essendon at Patersons Stadium after suffering a build-up of fluid in his 'good' left knee.
He has been overlooked by West Coast for the past two weeks despite being declared available.
Kerr had surgery on his right knee during the pre-season, but is confident the latest injury can be managed until the end of the year.
However, the club is understood to be pushing for him to undergo another round of surgery.
The 2005 Brownlow Medal runner-up trained strongly this week, but will not play for East Fremantle against South Fremantle today.
Sharks coach Steve Malaxos was told Kerr "wasn't quite right" even though his name did not appear on the club's official injury list.
Kerr's selection woes come just weeks after security asked him to leave Crown Perth because of a friend's behaviour.
The pair were on the casino floor when it was believed his friend reacted to taunts towards the West Coast player from another patron.
A club spokesman said the Eagles were aware of the incident but denied it had contributed to Kerr missing out on AFL selection.
Kerr has one year remaining on his current contract, with the Eagles facing a payout of between $500,000 and $600,000 if they choose to move him on.
The 220-game veteran's immediate playing future was first called into question by West Coast coach John Worsfold after the Eagles' loss to Sydney last Sunday.
Worsfold said though Kerr was available to play, he wasn't guaranteed a spot in the best 22.
"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."
Worsfold further clouded the situation later in the week by backing Kerr to return to his best in 2014.
"If we can get him to a point where he can train at the required level, and therefore play at the required level, then he has a lot of good games ahead of him," he said.
"With Daniel, we know that even at 80 per cent fitness, he can still perform really well, but that is getting tougher and tougher with the issues he has been carrying.
"Really it is around whether we can get his body right. I am sure he's got brilliant football left in him if he is as sound as he can be."
Kerr averages 21 touches and five clearances in 10 games this season.
"… he can still perform really well, but that is getting tougher and tougher …""West Coast coach *John Worsfold *
