WEST PERTH-CONTRACTED BRADLEY JOINS CLAREMONT

THE West Perth Football Club is disappointed to announce that 2003 premiership player Kepler Bradley has accepted a player development role with the Claremont Football Club meaning his agreed upon return to the Falcons will not be happening.

Claremont offered Bradley a full-time position in its football department that he accepted despite being contracted to the Falcons.

The 2003 WAFL premiership player and 117-game AFL veteran with Essendon and Fremantle had signed on to return to his original club West Perth for the 2015 and 2016 seasons.  His acceptance of a full-time position at Claremont has changed that.

West Perth had sourced numerous employment opportunities for Bradley following his retirement from the AFL at the end of the 2014 season.

West Perth president Brett Raponi is disappointed that a West Perth premiership player and favourite son will not play with the Falcons in 2015 but he won't let it affect the Falcons claims of returning to finals action in 2015.

"While this is not ideal at this stage of the year, Kepler did accept and sign our contract terms and a WAFL player registration form. This now strongly positions West Perth to be adequately compensated," Raponi said.

"We will ensure that our players, members and supporters are not short-changed in the negotiations with the Claremont Football Club."

Bradley was announced as returning to the Falcons late in 2014 along with VFL centre half-forward Michael Lourey, but the club remains in a strong position heading into 2015 with key big men Chris Keunen, Nick Rodda, Marcus Adams and Shayne Zanetti all training well during the pre-season.