IN THEIR WORDS – LAINE RASMUSSEN ROUND 3

EVERY new season brings a lot of excitement and a lot of unknown. New faces, new game plans and new feelings of desire after getting so close last year.

Preparation for this season started when we all woke up about three days after the grand final, with the club looking to add to our already strong list. We've been fortunate to have a large group of similar aged young guys who have now played a lot of footy together and know each other well.

All are now one year older, with another pre-season under their belts, which should leave everyone involved in the club feeling the same level of excitement that I have for the period of football to come.

It is fair to say that of all the big off-season recruits gained throughout the competition, we secured the biggest…… Keegan Knott. At 5 foot 4, he is rumoured to still be more physical than Chook Fowler.

A cousin of Dobby the House Elf and close relative of Bilbo Baggins, Keegan is quickly finding comfort outside of The Shire (Claremont) and making himself at home in Joondalup. His cult following is sure to grow as he continues to be a presence in our forward-line.

As most people know, Bill relies heavily on the Chinese Zodiac of both life and coaching advice. With 2016 being the Chinese year of the Monkey, it seemed only fitting to find someone who spent most of their time in trees to give good omens to our campaign.

Max Duffy, a tree lopper, has brought this as well as some very professional habits to the football club. His secrets of pickle juice are already having their effects across the squad.

After lining up against Max on a few occasions I know he is a smart and hardworking footballer who will definitely add to our scoring options.     

With the arrival of Joel Leeson, Tyler Keitel has been excited to hopefully hand over the baton of 'worst public speaker'. A man of few words, Joel lets his football boots do the talking. He definitely brings a new excitement towards winning and belting out the team song.

In the short time he has been with us he has doubled his career wins at senior level. With the addition of another excitement machine in Joel, hopefully opposition coaches will have less time to focus on stopping my electric game.

Coincidently, I have previously played on and towelled up all three of our new teammates. Rumours suggest that the choice of these players to join West Perth was not for the hate of their previous clubs, but to avoid having to line up against Laine ‘The Glove’ Rasmussen.

The much anticipated comeback of Shayne Zanetti, although plausible, is another unknown for season 2016.

On serious matters, we have a big game against the best team in the competition on one of the biggest days in the WAFL season this Saturday.

The International Football Festival is a great initiative run by our club which celebrates the diversity of our district.

The Board and administrators must again be congratulated for their organisation and promotion of what looks like being another big day for the club. Please get down and support the boys!

Dr Laine Rasmussen