Pettifer primed, say RoyalsShayne Hope
The West Australian
March 3, 2011East Perth have rubbished rumours star recruit Kayne Pettifer had left the club without playing a game, declaring the versatile former Richmond player a likely starter in Saturday's pre-season clash with Peel.
East Perth football manager Mark Winnett said Pettifer had been playing in the Northern Territory Football League and completed the required amount of training to play with Royals.
The official NTFL website credits Pettifer with two games with the Waratah club this season, both of which were in December.
"There's no dramas with Kayne at all. He'll probably play this weekend and there's no issues with him," Winnett said.
"He's been playing a little bit in the NT. He's been over (there) training while he's just been finalising his house (in Perth) and all that sort of stuff.
"He's done more than enough at this stage and, like I say, he'll probably play this weekend. I wouldn't read too much into anything that's going round the traps."
Winnett said Pettifer had been in good form during his cameo appearance with Waratah and would play a crucial role for the Royals this season.
Pettifer, 29, was one of several big-name recruits lured to East Perth over the off-season. Former Richmond and Fremantle tall Graham Polak, former Hawthorn midfielder Gary Moss and delisted Kangaroos big man Josh Smith have also joined the club.
"(Pettifer) was up there (NT) for four or five weeks training and kicked 10 goals, eight in one game and two in the other," Winnett said.
"He's been training and he's been doing everything we've asked of him, so we don't have any concerns with him at all."
The East Perth-Peel game at Medibank Stadium is one of three WAFL pre-season fixtures scheduled to start at 2.15pm on Saturday.
Predicted high temperatures have caused concern among WAFL clubs, though extended squads and shortened quarters will ease the burden on players.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/a/-/wafl/8948296/pettifer-primed-say-royals/
