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Peel duo return to old nest

AFTER finishing with the wooden spoon in the 2009 WAFL season, Peel Thunder has now lost two more key players, with forward Kain Robins and midfielder Damien Lock confirming they are heading home to Victoria.

The Peel duo will now return to the very same club they were originally recruited from last year - in Bendigo league side Eaglehawk.

Robins (25) played 19 games for Peel and was the club’s leading goal kicker with 33 goals for the season.

He managed to bag six goals against premiers South Fremantle in round nine, and was also included in WA’s State squad.

Midfielder Lock (31) played 18 games for the Mandurah-based club, and managed 17 disposals per game.

Their move from Peel also follows the departure of Simon Rosa, Luke Hammond and coach Chris Waterman.

MEANWHILE, promising West Perth teenager Jack Darling will remain in the WAFL next season after the Gold Coast ruled out recruiting other under-age players to join David Swallow.

WAFC chief Wayne Bradshaw said Western Sydney should be banned from signing under-aged players ahead of their entry in 2012, after the AFL unveiled its generous draft concessions.

There were also fears the Gold Coast would poach Darling, who turned 17 in June. He earned All-Australian selection at the under-18 titles, and kicked six goals in his second league game for West Perth this season.

Western Sydney will have picks 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15 in the 2011 national draft, paving the way for them to also commit to players in advance. But Bradshaw said Swallow’s move shouldn’t be used as a precedent.

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