IN THEIR WORDS – CHRIS KEUNEN ROUND 2

WELCOME to season 2015 to all Falcons members and supporters. It was a bitter sweet start to the season last Friday night against South Fremantle at Fremantle Oval.

Personally I was very proud to play my 150th league game for West Perth. It was certainly something that I never expected to achieve, but it was very disappointing to lose the game and in particular not be able to execute what was discussed during the week. 

After missing out on playing the final game of the season last year, I set my sights a focus of pre-season on Round 1. Getting to the game last year and then driving home without leaving the car was not a good way to finish a year,  not only did I miss my 150th but to have also missed playing with Slick and Dan for their last game with the club. 

It is a great honour to play 150 games. I didn't want to be carried off after the match, I'm not one to seek the limelight for one and after a loss it didn't feel right to be carried off. Teddy would have none of it and told me that 150 games is 150 games. Anna was also quick to point out that at the end of the day the celebration of the milestone isn't all about the one game but about all the others that led to it as well. Looking back I haven't won a milestone game yet- my 50th was a loss to Claremont, my 100th was a loss to Werribee and now this one. In fact as a club over the last few years we haven't done well in milestone games. 

I must say a big thank you to my parents, Barbara and Peter, my grandmother, Frances and my in- laws, Garry and Sue, for making the trip across to watch the game and celebrate with us. 

And of course I can't forget my beautiful wife, Anna, and little man Xavier. Their support is amazing and I certainly couldn't have played this many games without Anna's support and advice, and now seeing the joy Xavier has running around and kicking the football makes it even more special.

I now look forward to attending the AGM and receiving my life membership. It is the greatest individual award a person at a football club can be given. It would have great to have received last year with the man who got me over here, Darren Harris, and Kathleen who has been a great asset to the club but it wasn't to be. Then again I'll get to share the day with get share it with Andrew Strijk who will play his 150th in the not too distant future.

Looking to Round 2 and we are going to have a very tough contest. I'm sure plenty will be made of how many Freo listed players they will have run out on Saturday, but at the end of the day it makes no difference who they have on the field. The old saying that a champion team will always beat a team of champions (not that I think Freo are a team of champions). Of course it will be a massive challenge and one that we will all face head on.

A few of the boys spent the week winding me up about playing on big Sandilands, but unfortunately he was too worried about playing against me that he pulled out. I guess my height and weight scared him off. At the end of the day every game presents a big challenge and if we stick to our structures and play the style we want to we will beat anyone.

I look forward to seeing a big crowd at the Arena on Saturday. Let's get all Falcon fans down to the ground wearing red and blue and cheer the boys on loudly. I do hope that not having any TV coverage all the fans band together and attend games. 

See you at the game and Go West!