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Falcons flourishing despite key outs

by
Brendan Leicester

WEST Perth ruckman Chris Keunen is set to miss just three weeks, including the bye, after receiving a broken nose in his side’s impressive win over Subiaco last weekend.

Keunen (26) also suffered a black eye and was left concussed, after a bump from Subiaco ruckman Michael Rix on Guadagnin sent his elbow straight into the face of the Falcons ruckman.

West Perth football manager Brad Lukosius said it was an unfortunate injury for Keunen, who had to be stretchered off late in the final quarter. 

“He saw the specialist yesterday, and the news is that he’s got a fractured sinus bone, and although it’s a very slight fracture, he won’t be back until after the bye,” he said.

The injury gives sole responsibility to fellow ruckman Mitch Andrews, who had 15 hit-outs opposed to Keunen with eight.

The Falcons have got off to a dream start, despite missing key players, but are expected to be further bolstered by their return to the side after the club’s round 5 bye.

Midfielder Josh Pearce will be coming back from work commitments, while backman Dan Hunt (knee) is pushing for selection after having a good outing in the reserves, and key forward Brent LeCras (groin) is also a chance.

“Lecca still has some groin soreness, he’s not too bad at the moment, but you’ve got to weigh it up, because it’ll do neither him nor the club any good if we bring him back for the Royals game and he pulls up again.

“He’s been doing all the rehab and recovery, and at this stage we’re realistically looking at him to return for the Souths game, and if not that then possibly after the bye,” said Lukosius.

Dan Hunt collected 22 possessions in West Perth’s 59-point win over Subiaco in the reserves, and the club said he wasn’t too far off claiming his spot back in the league squad.

“He’s had a pretty interrupted pre-season, with his knee problem...” “It’s been a very stilted build-up for him, but his performance over the weekend has certainly put him back in the mix, particularly as he is a key back for us,” the club said.

West Perth will look to make it three from three when they face off against East Perth at Medibank Stadium on Easter Monday, but are expecting a solid contest from the Royals, who will be spurred on following the infamous wooden-spoon incident last season.

“We obviously don’t want a repeat of what happened last time, but we do expect a hostile and vocal crowd, along with all the other things you expect from a traditional rivalry clash,” Lukosius said.