Kerr Sets Barometer High For 2020

Most East Perth fans will remember Rohan Kerr’s five-goal haul for West Perth on Grand Final day in 2013.

 Kerr spent four seasons with the Falcons between 2013 and 2016 and went on to play in back-to-back premierships with Pinjarra in the Peel League in 2017 and 2018. After returning to the WAFL competition in 2019, he will line-up for his second season at East Perth in 2020.

 The 28-year-old capped off a terrific first year at the Royals when he finished third in the FD Book Medal, earned WAFL Team of the Year selection and was top-10 in the Sandover Medal count.

 “I probably exceeded my expectations (in terms of) how I performed,” he said.

 “On a personal level it was good, but at a team level, we have a lot to do and we recognise that.”

 Kerr’s achievements are remarkable given he spent two years out of the WAFL competition - with some of that time nursing a broken leg. 

 “I broke my leg in 2017 and probably should have missed the whole year but I got back and qualified for finals down at my local club,” he said. 

 “I played in another flag and was hesitant about how my body would pull up during another WAFL season. I had the plates taken out of my knee in December (2018) and didn’t really train until January or February. 

 “To get out on the park and play every game was really good.” 

 Kerr arrived at the Royals at the end of the Eagles-East Perth alignment and admits that he felt some trepidation before making the move.

 “It was a big step, to be honest. I’m still friends with a lot of the West Perth boys and I copped a lot of stick for it at the time and still do,” he said.

 “It’s good to have Aidan Lynch from West Perth here as well. I was joking around saying, one by one, I’ll slowly get them across to East Perth and they’re slowly starting to see the light. 

 “But, it’s water under the bridge now. Both clubs are different in their own ways. I wouldn’t change where I have come from and I wouldn’t change where I am now. I’m really loving my time at East Perth.”

 Kerr spent three years on Carlton’s list before winning a premiership with West Perth and he is confident he can draw on his own experiences to guide a young East Perth side up the ladder in 2020.

 “We’ve taken some big steps this pre-season – we’ve recruited well and we’ve set our goals high,” he said.

 “Everyone plays footy to play in premierships and we’re no different. We don’t want to look too far ahead but we’ve set sights on playing Finals this year and finishing as high as we can and giving ourselves the best chance of winning another flag.”

Under the guidance of Senior Coach Jeremy Barnard, Kerr is confident anything is possible.

 “He’s obviously tasted success, winning three (premierships) in the early 2000s and was captain of the team and I won one in 2013. It’s something that you never forget and it was probably one of the best days of my life.

 “I’d love for these boys to experience it and that’s absolutely something that we’re aiming for. 

 “We’re going to do everything that we can to get back up to the top.”