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Falcons duo get there in contrasting ways

West Perth provided two players in Saturday’s NAB AFL Draft, but each arrived on the scene in their own way.

Under-18s star Steven Browne was taken later than expected, but taken nonetheless at pick No. 36 by Carlton and after several league appearances for the Falcons in 2007, Football Manager Ryan Lasscock suggested that the medium-sized defender could easily fit into an AFL side.

“He played league footy the last six games of the season and played really well,” Lasscock said.

“He was in our best a couple of times and it’s a great effort to end up at Carlton with a good group of young blokes that are going to grow together.”

Conversely, 21-year-old key position player Josh Smith arrived at the Kangaroos via pick No. 62 and after time away from the club and a standout season in 2007, Lasscock said the WAFL Rising Star winner was set for a promising career at AFL level.

“He returned to the club after a couple of years away through injury and playing amateurs,” Lasscock said.

“He played every game this year and worked extremely hard during the preseason and his potential is unlimited.”

Lasscock also noted the fact that the strong West Perth connection at the Kangaroos wouldn’t have hindered Smith’s chances of arriving at Arden Street with coach Dean Laidley and assistant Darren Bewick being former Falcons themselves.

“They were pretty keen for a while and it was just great to hear his name picked out,” Lasscock said.

“It just shows that the traditional pathway is not the only pathway.”

Smith finished third in West Perth’s best and fairest in 2007.