Strijk battles hard to face Tigers
Classy West Perth utility player Andrew Strijk remains a chance to play against Claremont at Arena Joondalup on Saturday.
Former West Coast squad member Strijk injured his right shoulder in the final minutes of the Falcons' three-point loss at East Fremantle Oval last Saturday.
The Falcons kicked six of the last seven goals to almost snatch victory in the opening round against the Sharks but there was little Strijk could do at the end.
West Perth football manager Jamie Ball said the club was pleased with "positive results" from scans on Strijk's injured shoulder.
"Now it's just a case of Andrew doing all the rehab work and just testing to make sure he's all good and confident for this weekend," Ball said.
The 26-year-old played 13 games for the Eagles from 2010 to 2012 and was a member of WA State teams in 2009 and 2010.
Best known for his run across half-back, Strijk is one of the keys to West Perth's premiership defence in 2014.
While Strijk could recover in time to take his place against the Tigers, teammate Marc Crisp will miss the next two matches after being suspended.
Crisp was reported for rough conduct after colliding with Sharks youngster Sam Read.
Ball said Crisp's suspension was a blow.
"It's disappointing for Marc but we accept the tribunal's decision," he said.
"He will just have to go away and train hard for the next couple of weeks and make sure he pushes hard for when he's coming back."
Small-forward Crisp was one of the heroes of the Falcons' 49-point win against East Perth in last year's grand final.
The 27-year-old had 15 possessions, six marks, three inside 50s and kicked two goals.
Perth defender Chris Billings will also miss the next two games after being suspended on a rough-conduct charge in the reserves against Claremont teenager Brendan Lim.
Billings took a year out of the WAFL in 2013 but the previous season was at risk of losing his WAFL registration after being reported or investigated eight times in 13 matches.
