Falcons again go with old and new
West Perth will regain key duo Matt Guadagnin and Chris Keunen for their Foxtel Cup semi- final against Tasmanian side Western Storm at Patersons Stadium tonight.
Veteran midfielder Guadagnin has overcome a corked thigh and will captain the Falcons in the absence of Luke Tedesco and Jay van Berlo.
Influential ruckman Keunen will play for the first time since WA Day after recovering from an eye injury sustained when he was poked by an opponent.
Coach Bill Monaghan said West Perth would field a mixture of youth and experience against the Storm, with Aidan Lynch, Mitch McPhee, Ben King and Corey Chalmers set to make their senior debuts.
Brayden Antonio, Joe Morrow and Luke Meadows have been rewarded for their strong form in the reserves. Hard-working midfielders Shane Nelson, Aaron Black, Andrew Strijk and van Berlo will be rested, as will key defender Dan Hunt.
"It's a real balance for Foxtel Cup," Monaghan said.
"I had six or seven of the (league) regulars come up to me and ask why they couldn't play, but we need to see some of the other kids.
"That's no disrespect to Western Storm because that's exactly what we did against Box Hill - we went with a 50-50 mix of seniors and reserves.
"We were able to get the chocolates there, so we think at our best we'll be able to win."
The Storm are somewhat of an unknown quantity, having joined the Tasmanian State League as a new club this year.
They are second on the TSL ladder with an 8-2 record and had six players in the State team against the NEAFL this month.
The Storm reached the Foxtel Cup semifinals by upsetting West Adelaide away.
"They were fantastic in the game against West Adelaide," Monaghan said.
"Their attack on the footy and their intent were marvellous.
"I'm using that as my main source of how they're going to line up."
Bouncedown is at 6.35pm and entry is free.
East Perth are due to take on Williamstown in the other semifinal next week.
