Moss set to return for Royals in Foxtel Cup
Silky East Perth forward Garry Moss will make his long-awaited return to senior football in tonight's Foxtel Cup clash with Norwood at Patersons Stadium.
Moss has played two WAFL reserves games for the Royals this month on the comeback from a knee reconstruction that ruined the second half of his 2013 season and was named in the extended 25-man squad yesterday.
East Perth football manager Mark Winnett confirmed Moss would play, alongside co-captain Brendan Lee, who skippered the State team to a crushing win over a combined NEAFL side in Sydney on Saturday.
Josh Smith (ankle) also returns for his first match since round four.
Winnett said Moss had been steadily building since playing his first game in the reserves on May 3.
"He's a member of the leadership group and a pretty core member of our footy club so he should get an opportunity to start again," Winnett said.
"He's really important to us and he was a big loss last year.
"We think he's one of the premier small forwards going around, he gives us a lot of X- factor and he's got a lot of class.
"We'll get him back in and we're not expecting miracles from him, but hopefully he can build and have a big impact."
The six-day break between tonight's match and the WA Day derby against West Perth has allowed the Royals to pick a strong side, which features eight West Coast players.
"The six-day break definitely helps and all the boys are putting their hands up to be involved in the Foxtel Cup," Winnett said.
"We're taking it pretty seriously."
