Royals see red over Keitel 'poach'
East Perth will fight a raid by West Perth on one of their best young talents after the Falcons signed AFL prospect Tyler Keitel to a two-year contract.
The key-position player committed to East Perth's arch rivals as East Fremantle yesterday agreed to terms with Subiaco star George Hampson.
Keitel, 19, made the move after being overlooked in last year's national and rookie drafts. He failed to play a league game with the Royals last year.
West Perth chief executive David Crute said they believed they had found a loophole allowing them to sign him, despite the Royals' opposition.
Keitel turned 19 last Saturday, making him eligible to be targeted by other clubs.
The Falcons are confident his uncontracted status and the fact Keitel has not played a league match in the past two seasons allows them to sign the 194cm utility player, as long as they pay the transfer fee.
"He's still in with a chance of getting drafted and we think we can provide him with that opportunity," Crute said.
Royals football manager Mark Winnett said the club was willing to go to arbitration to block the transfer.
"We're extremely disappointed with the recent events and will take this as far as we need to take it to get the right result for our football club," Winnett said.
Hampson, 25, joined his new teammates at East Fremantle training last night.
Subiaco agreed to an estimated $25,000 transfer fee following long negotiations after the Lions' 2013 best-and-fairest winner walked out on the club last month.
