Kerr ends speculation and stays an Eagle

[The Coon Dog]

Kerr ends speculation and stays an Eagle

West Coast's Daniel Kerr could be set to stay at the club for life, after today agreeing to a long-term deal to remain at the Eagles and end months of speculation about his future.

A day after the club champion awards where Kerr said little about his future, a lot more was said in a statement released by the Eagles late on Saturday, which stated the star on-baller had committed to the club on an "extended contract".

In keeping with the club's policy, the length of that contract was not immediately revealed - although Eagles chief executive Trevor Nisbett had repeatedly said Kerr would not be offered the four-your deal he had been seeking.

In a double coup, former Collingwood captain Scott Burns will also be at the club in 2009 as an assistant coach, a day after farewelling the Magpies at their best-and-fairest awards night.

But it is the deal with Kerr which will please Eagles fans most, having had to endure the departure of both Chris Judd and Ben Cousins in the past two years.

"With Daniel Kerr also re-committing beyond 2009, everything is taking shape as we start to plan our rise back up the table. It is fantastic to have Daniel continue with us, he is a quality player who can offer important on-field direction to so many of our younger players," Nisbett said.

"He is one of our best-ever players, is a life member and we are delighted that it looks as though he will now finish his career with the West Coast Eagles. Both signings are of great significance for our club moving forward."

The signing of Burns, who retired at the end of Collingwood's 2008 campaign after 14 seasons and 264 games, is a fillip after losing their prime acquisition Michael Voss to Brisbane.

The Eagles said it was "another piece in the aggressive off-field recruiting campaign which has netted some of the most respected men in the game."

It comes on the back of former Melbourne coach Neale Daniher being secured as the club's general manager football operations and the appointment of former Geelong and Port Adelaide assistant coach Phillip Walsh in the role of strategy and innovations assistant coach.

"We are delighted that Scott Burns has joined a structure we believe has the capacity to assist in our young squad's development," Nisbett said.

"He will be an outstanding acquisition for our club and completes an outstanding group of people who will be involved in plotting our charge back into finals contention.

"In Neale and Phil we have gained great experience and insight and we believe we needed to complement the group by securing a recently retired player."

Burns is expected in Perth when pre-season training begins in late October and he is looking forward to dipping his tow into the coaching waters.

"I am really excited about moving into the next phase of my football life, working with John Worsfold, Neale Daniher, Phil Walsh and the rest of the football department," Burns said.

[bulldogtragic]

That works fractionally for us, in that there is less speedy midfileders out there and Ray is on the market. I am not for one second suggesting Ray is anywhere near Kerr in the skills and trade desirability stakes, but clubs eyeing Kerr such as Collingwood, may now consider Ray and hopefully generate even a little competition to make sure we get a second rounder for him.

[craigsahibee]

Allows Carlton to throw more undeclared funds at O'Keefe and Warnock.

Cheatin' Barstewards.

[GVGjr]

Allows Carlton to throw more undeclared funds at O'Keefe and Warnock.

Cheatin' Barstewards.

One of the options mentioned in today's paper was for Melbourne to trade pick 1 to Freo for pick 3 so that Freo can be guaranteed to get Natinui. There would need to be another pick thrown into the mix. Why would Melbourne do it? 2 reasons really.
1) With Natanui already taken the Eagles would probably select the local boy Rich leaving the Dees to get the players they want all along Watts.
2) Freo would make sure that they don't trade Warnock allowing him to slip through to the PSD where the Dees have the first selection.

The blocker might be the threat that the Eagles might bite the bullet and select Watts.

[The Coon Dog]

One of the options mentioned in today's paper was for Melbourne to trade pick 1 to Freo for pick 3 so that Freo can be guaranteed to get Natinui. There would need to be another pick thrown into the mix. Why would Melbourne do it? 2 reasons really.
1) With Natanui already taken the Eagles would probably select the local boy Rich leaving the Dees to get the players they want all along Watts.
2) Freo would make sure that they don't trade Warnock allowing him to slip through to the PSD where the Dees have the first selection.

The blocker might be the threat that the Eagles might bite the bullet and select Watts.

Intrigue indeed. It appeals to me.

[Scorlibo]

The blocker might be the threat that the Eagles might bite the bullet and select Watts.

Yes, a lot will depend on who the Eagles want to take, Naita or Rich? If Naita then all they may need to do is threaten to take Watts if Freo and Melbourne trade - that would stop proceedings good and proper. If Rich then they suffer no disadvantage and Melbourne and Freo could engage in one of the more interesting trade negotiations of recent times.

[bulldogtragic]

Yes, a lot will depend on who the Eagles want to take, Naita or Rich? If Naita then all they may need to do is threaten to take Watts if Freo and Melbourne trade - that would stop proceedings good and proper. If Rich then they suffer no disadvantage and Melbourne and Freo could engage in one of the more interesting trade negotiations of recent times.

I love it. And then people will forget the 'Veale Deal' and rmember the 'Warnock ....'