IN THEIR WORDS – LAINE RASMUSSEN ROUND 8

ONE of the many privileges we have as players of the West Perth Football Club is the ability to represent our supporters in one of our state's greatest rivalries.

We’ve had some great battles with East Perth in the short time I’ve been playing for the club, and it takes no more than a passing word with one of our passionate members to see how much it means to them.

Every West Perth fan remembers their first derby, the one we just got over the line, or one of the grand finals we’ve played. Most of these memories are likely from before our young team were born (maybe not Gaudy or Keuns), but I have no doubt that everyone understands the significance of these unique games.

There is always hype around a derby, but as players all we can control is how we prepare and put in place the plans set to beat our opposition this week. Last week’s game against Claremont was particularly disappointing because we were beaten in a few of the key areas we pride ourselves on each week, including contested ball.

I’m a great believer of identifying and playing to your strengths, so there should be no doubt among our group as to how we should approach this weekend’s game. If there was any more motivation required to be ready for a hard fought derby, reasserting ourselves as the best ball-winning team in the competition will go a long way to winning the game.

I have great confidence that if we can control the ball for more time than our opposition, we have one of the most potent forward-lines capable of kicking winning scores. We are constantly putting in hours together on the training track trying to find the balance of what works best for us. The longer we play together as a group, our understanding of each other’s games will grow and the more fluent we will be able to use the ball.

Defence will always be a non-negotiable among our playing group. Every team tries to exploit certain parts of the way we play, likewise, we adjust to try and counter this. I believe that for the most part, what we choose to employ is irrelevant, as long as we are all doing the same thing.

I’d like to congratulate Browney on his 100th game last week. We were gutted we couldn’t get the win for you. Congratulations also to Kerry who is playing his 50th game this week. Both are great men looking to soon follow in Strijky’s footsteps, and both still remind everyone around the club that they were once on Carlton’s list. 

A big Happy 40th Birthday to Sam Rotham (Fletch), the years have been kind to you.

Everyone is ecstatic that I am now back at training full-time. 

“Go West” – Aaron Black 2015

Laine Rasmussen