FALCONS SIGN KEY POSITION PLAYER SCOTT SIMPSON

THE West Perth Football Club has made its first signing ahead of the 2017 WAFL season recruiting former Geelong-listed experienced key position player Scott Simpson to add further depth to the Falcons' big men stocks.

With Nick Rodda, Tyler Keitel and Mark Hamilton capable of filling a variety of key position roles, Michael Lourey returning for a third season in attack and Chris Keunen and Seva Mozhaev in the ruck, West Perth's big men department now looks strong with the addition of Simpson.

The recently turned 27-year-old stands 197cm tall and is strongly built tipping the scales around the 100kg range. He will be a strong addition for the Falcons whether he ends up settling in the back or forward-line.

Simpson most recently played with Somerville in the Nepean Football League as a playing assistant coach the past two seasons following a strong career in the VFL.

He is coming off a season in the Nepean league where he finished third in voting for the George Osborne Medal while named at centre half-back in the Team of the Year.

While playing mostly in defence, he did go forward on occasion and kicked four goals twice during the season – both against the Frankston Bombers.

But prior to that, he was drafted to Geelong in 2007 and spent two seasons with the Cats before settling in the VFL after being delisted.

He was vice-captain at Frankston while also being named in the 2013 VFL Team of the Year and representing Victoria against Western Australia in Northam in that season as well.

Simpson previously played at Frankston in the VFL with Lourey and becomes yet another former Dolphins player to sign in the WAFL on the back of not only Lourey, but South Fremantle's Shane Hockey and Subiaco's Leigh Kitchin.

The news strengthens West Perth's playing squad heading towards 2017.

Aside from the retired Luke Tedesco and departed Rohan Kerr, the majority of the 2016 playing squad are expected to return next season on a team that qualified for the finals in third position.

That includes veterans Chris Keunen and Matt Guadagnin committing to play another season with the Falcons. Trent Manzone, initially set to move interstate, will now be staying as well.

The only other key player a chance to depart is Luke Meadows if selected in the National AFL Draft along with impressive youngsters Liam Baker and Josh Rotham.

Simpson will soon be relocating to Perth along with his partner. He will commence work with Content Living home builders as a concreter.