New deal for Whalley

AJ Whalley has agreed to extend his contract at Western Force until 2009 - with an option to stay for a further year after that.

Force prop agrees contract extension

Western Force prop AJ Whalley has agreed to extend his contract at the club until the end of 2009 - with an option to stay for a further year after that. The 25-year-old made his Super 14 debut in last year's epic first home victory for the Western Australian team against the Hurricanes at Subiaco Oval. The former Australia Under-21 and Australian Sevens representative went on to record seven caps in his rookie year and has played in every game of the Western Force's 2008 campaign, starting all but two matches in the No.3 jersey. Rugby Western Australia (RugbyWA) acting chief executive Mitch Hardy said Whalley was an important part of the team's plans going forward. "AJ has been a mainstay in the matchday 22 since mid-way through last season and together with Pek Cowan, Troy Takiari and Keiran Longbottom forms an exciting young quartet of props at the club," said Hardy. Whalley, a foundation member of the Western Force, said he had no reason to look beyond Perth to continue his development as a player. "We're on the way up. There's a good atmosphere in the club, a great bunch of blokes and we're playing some pretty good rugby," said Whalley. "The future looks good. Why wouldn't I want to stay here?"