CSU Bushpigs are bringing former West Coast Eagles star Daniel Kerr to the Farrer League in April.
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The 2006 premiership player will make a one-off appearance for the Bushpigs – under lights at Wagga’s Robertson Oval on April 28 against reigning premiers East Wagga-Kooringal.
CSU’s first home game of the year had already been booked for the Friday night before the club decided to chase a big-name for the occasion. And Kerr, one of the elite midfielders of his generation, fitted the bill.
“It will put a bit of excitement into the start of the year and it’s a great opportunity for our players to play alongside an AFL premiership player,” CSU president Tristan Robinson said.
“It’s only going to raise the profile of the league and our club and it’s a good opportunity for East Wagga too – for one of their players to play on a recent AFL player and one of the better players of the past decade or so.
“The word is he’s looking cherry ripe and fit and I’m sure he’ll say put me wherever the team needs me.”
Kerr retired in 2013 after 220 games. He was a Brownlow Medal runner-up in 2005 behind Ben Cousins and All-Australian in 2007.
Like Cousins, Kerr has generated his share of unwanted headlines. He has admitted to drug use in the past and problems with alcohol, and last year was remanded in custody and fined for breaching restraining orders when he sent text messages to his former partner.
The game with CSU is part of a comeback for the 33-year old, who intends to play with 14 clubs in NSW, Victoria and Tasmania.
“I’ve had assurances he’s on the straight and narrow,” Robinson said.
“He’s been playing some footy in regional Western Australia and doing community work with the Indigenous population. We’re confident that he’s looking at country footy as a way to give back but also to share his story.”
“For us, he can offer a bit of guidance to young kids who have moved to Wagga for uni, with advice on the decisions they’ll be making and the temptations that they’ll face.”
Kerr will be in Wagga for Thursday night training, before a team meal at new sponsor, the William Farrer Hotel. He will spend Friday with club officials and sponsors before donning the Bushpigs strip.
Robinson acknowledged that marquee appearances aren’t for all clubs but believes it’s an ideal scenario for the Bushpigs who are intent on improving their crowds, supporter base and profile this year.
“It depends where your club is and where you’re trying to go,” he said.
“If you had a premiership defence or thought you might be top two, it might disrupt your season a little. But early in the season for a club like us, the positives outweigh the negatives.”
The Bushpigs have the bye in round one. With a general bye following for the Easter weekend, their first game is not until April 22 – against Temora at Nixon Park – before the Friday night showdown with the Hawks.