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KEY PLAYERS RE-SIGN TO GEAR UP FOR FALCONS' 2015 CAMPAIGN

Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - 9:11 AM by CHRIS PIKE

THE West Perth Football Club has continued to make significant progress in putting together a strong line-up for the 2015 WAFL season with premiership stars Rohan Kerr, Jordan Jones and Steven Browne among the key players to re-sign for at least one year.

On the back of the announcement that 2003 premiership player and 117-game AFL veteran big man Kepler Bradley and VFL centre half-forward Michael Lourey signing on, West Perth is also delighted to announce the re-signing of a host of key players.

Bradley and Lourey have both committed to the West Perth Football Club for the 2015 and 2016 WAFL seasons after signing two-year contracts as has 2013 premiership star Rohan Kerr.

Premiership players Steven Browne, Marc Crisp, Aaron Black, Kody Manning, Steve Potente, Nick Rodda and Luke Tedesco, and reserves premiership players from 2014 Sam Money and Shayne Zanetti have all signed two-year contract extensions as well.

Veterans Ray Bartholomew, Jordan Jones and Chris Keunen have also signed one-year contract extensions for the 2015 WAFL season.

Kerr kicked five goals in the 2013 grand final win over East Perth in a strong first year in the WAFL after being listed with Carlton the previous three seasons, and he spent most of 2014 on the wing with the Falcons and was a prolific ball winner.

The 23-year-old averaged 26 possessions a game in 2014, including five games with more than 30 disposals, and will looking to again be a key player with the Falcons in 2015 to try and lead the team back into the finals.

Jones is another key recruit to West Perth in recent years who became an important member of the premiership in 2013, a State player in 2014 and now has re-signed with the Falcons for 2015.

The 24-year-old has now played over 100 WAFL games and 55 of those with West Perth after beginning his career with Peel Thunder when listed with the West Coast Eagles so he's very much entering the prime of his career as he continues his career with the Falcons.

Browne is another experienced West Perth player keen to be a big part of the club's future with the 25-year-old now having played 94 matches either side of his 23 matches and three years with Carlton. 

The premiership defender turned lively forward is set to reach game No. 100 with the Falcons in 2015.

Co-captain Tedesco is also an experienced, premiership player who has re-signed for a further two years with the 27-year-old 127-game veteran coming off his first season sharing the captaincy with Jay van Berlo.

Sandover Medallist Black has also put pen to a paper for a two-year contract extension with the Falcons with the midfielder having now played 86 games with West Perth, playing in a premiership, representing WA and winning the Sandover Medal despite yet to turn 22 years of age.

With the retirements of veterans Dan Hunt, Anthony Tsalikis and Jason Salecic now over the past 18 months, West Perth is keen to maintain some experience in the group and that will be helped with both Keunen and Bartholomew re-signing for 2015.

Keunen has currently played 149 games with West Perth since arriving from Victoria and he is set to earn life membership by playing his 150th match in Round 1 of 2015.

Bartholomew, meanwhile, has now played 173 games with the Falcons since making his debut in 2004 and the premiership wingman and two-time Breckler Medal runner-up is closing in on the 200-game milestone after earning life membership in 2013.

Potente has played the last two years with West Perth after beginning his WAFL career with Swan Districts and the 24-year-old left-footer is on board for the 2015 and 2016 seasons as well.

Manning had his 2014 delayed at the start by a suspension and then ended early with a shoulder injury, but the premiership player represented WA in 2014 and has re-signed for another two years to continue to be perhaps the best tackling and pressure player in the WAFL.

Rodda continues to emerge as one of the best young big men in the WAFL as well whether as a defender or forward.

During 2014, he had some further breakout games including a five-goal haul against South Fremantle and he also represented WA and kicking two goals in the State game win over the NEAFL.

The 20-year-old has re-signed for another two years and alongside Adams, Bradley, Lourey, Ben King and Max Alexander, helps to provide the Falcons with plenty of depth and versatility in the big men department.

Another big man who could make an impact in 2015 is Shayne Zanetti who was showing good signs between 2010-12 playing 30 games and kicking 33 goals largely as a tall marking forward and back up ruckman.

However, he missed the second half of 2012 through injury, all of 2013 and then all of 2014 before Round 23 when he played in the reserves and kicked seven goals against Perth.

He then played in the second semi-final loss for the reserves, missed the preliminary final and returned for the grand final where he carried the ruck finishing with 41 hit outs and now he has re-signed for two years, and if he stays healthy will be a big part of West Perth's future.

Meadows is another who got his chance in the league side in 2014 and grabbed it both as a defender who could play a stopping role on the likes of Ryan Davis from Swan Districts or kick goals when used in attack, and the 20-year-old has re-signed with the Falcons for a further year.