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Bewick to give kids a go against Falcons

East Perth will take a young and inexperienced side into Saturday night’s preseason clash with West Perth at Medibank Stadium with the club aiming to groom several junior players into the senior side ahead of the 2008 home and away season.

Senior Royals’ coach Glen Bewick told Footygoss on Thursday that no risks would be taken for the game against the Falcons with a large group of senior players sitting out the contest.

(Danny) Byrne, (Pat) Travers, (Brendan) Hancock, (Michael) Clark, (Dean) Brennan, (Craig) Glancy, (Frank) Agostino, and (Craig) Wulff will most certainly miss,” Bewick confirmed.

“We are rewarding players who have shown form over our past two intra-clubs as well as allowing some players to really put their hand up for the season proper.

“We need our younger players to be exposed to this level so they have a clear understanding of what league football is all about.

“It’s a great opportunity for some to really show their stuff and increase the internal competition for spots.”

Bewick also added that former Essendon and Geelong utility Joel Reynolds would play on Saturday along with dual premiership player Jeremy Humm, who returns to the club in 2008.

“They (Reynolds and Humm) have both been training the house down and are real keen to play some time on Saturday,” Bewick said.

The Royals were able to sneak into the WAFL finals in 2007, much to the surprise of many experts, but Bewick was quick to reconfirm that the development of the elevated colts players and their interaction with the club’s senior stars was something that had to begin now for the team to hold their place in the competition’s top bracket and continue to improve.

“It will be exciting to see (Andrew) Merrington and (Tim) Noakes work with (Luke) Sampey and (Tom) Howlett up forward - two very talented kids,” Bewick said.

“(Ex-State Amateur ruckman) Michael Robinson will work in tandem with the experienced Tim Lyster, Dan Macaulay, Nigel Lee and Aaron Sweet will continue their education with (Brent) Cowell and Humm supporting through the midfield, Braydon Sutton, a very pacey recruit will be one to watch also with Ben Stratton, another colts graduate who will play a key defensive position.”

The Royals and Falcons will clash at 8pm on Saturday night, immediately after the East Fremantle-Swan Districts contest.

Gavin Haines