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Kerr decides to remain in Eagles' nest

04/10/2008 09:01:31 PM Comments (0)

Daniel Kerr's manager Colin Young says the star onballer will remain an Eagle for life after the 25-year-old signed a "long-term contract that will see him out" with the AFL club.

Kerr ended months of speculation over his future by signing an undisclosed contract extension with the Eagles.

The troubled midfielder, who was still contracted to the Eagles until the end of 2009, had been linked with a move away from Perth, with Sydney understood to be leading a host of clubs keen to snare the former All-Australian's signature.

Rumours were rife that Kerr was almost certain to leave the Eagles' nest when West Coast's board dismissed Kerr's proposition for a four or five-year contract extension.

Young refused to reveal the exact length or terms of the new deal but indicated it could be Kerr's final contract as an AFL player.

"It is a long-term contract that will see him out ... the rest of his career," Young told AAP.

"You can read whatever you want (into it), I'm just telling you it's a long-term contract that will see him out with the West coast Eagles."

Kerr has a history of off-field indiscretions, including being arrested and charged with disorderly conduct for damaging a taxi in 2007.

It had been speculated that any new deal with West Coast would include behavioural clauses but Young indicated that wasn't the case.

"It's a stock-standard contract that's long term, there's nothing to it," Young said.

"I guess it took a while for the club to meet because they had coaching issues with Vossy (Michael Voss) in and out ... but at the end of the day it (the negotiations) went pretty quick.

"I met with (chief executive Trevor Nisbett) last Thursday and it was done yesterday."

And in another major coup for the club, recently-retired former Collingwood captain Scott Burns signed on with West Coast as an assistant coach.

Burns, who retired at the end of Collingwood's 2008 campaign after 14 seasons and 264 games, is another piece in the club's off-field recruiting campaign.

Former Melbourne coach Neale Daniher has already been secured as the club's General Manager Football Operations, while former Geelong and Port Adelaide assistant Phillip Walsh has been added to the coaching staff.

Burns is expected in Perth when pre-season training begins in late October.

But it is Kerr's signature that will excite fans the most after the club's worst ever season.

"He is one of our best ever players, is a life member and we are delighted that it looks as though he will now finish his career with the West Coast Eagles," Nisbett said.

"Both signings are of great significance for our club moving forward."

At his best Kerr is among the most tenacious and talented ball-winners in the AFL.

He was a key member of the 2006 premiership-winning side and is a vital piece as the club tries to rebuild, having slumped to 15th in 2008 with just four wins.

Kerr played just 11 games this year due to injury and suspension.

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