Perth president Daryle Mann has moved swiftly to dispel any prospect of the Demons replacing East Perth in an alignment with West Coast.

“It is a dead duck as far as we are concerned,” Mann said.

“We see no long-term value in an alignment with Perth Football Club.

“There is no member of our board or management who can identify any long-term benefit in being aligned with West Coast.”

Mann’s clear stance came after West Coast chief executive Trevor Nisbett confirmed the AFL club was once again eager to field a reserves team in the WAFL but would consider an alignment with another club should East Perth decide to end the current deal.

Don't miss the latest sports news! Was $13 now $7 per week for 12 weeks* (Digital + Print) Enjoy unlimited access to thewest.com.au and everyday digital editions on any device. Thursday - Monday papers home delivered with all of the latest footy news! *T&Cs apply

Play Video Matt Taberner booted four goals after a long stint in the WAFL The West Australian Video Matt Taberner booted four goals after a long stint in the WAFL

The Royals are set to make a decision on the alignment by the end of next month.

There is growing resistance to the alignment within East Perth, with veteran director Tom Percy declaring last month that he would run for election next year on a ticket opposing the deal.

Perth appear a natural fit as a West Coast host club given that the Eagles are building a $60 million facility at their Lathlain Park home and will train and operate there from 2019.

But Mann said Perth’s circumstances were significantly different to the Royals when they did the deal with the Eagles in 2012.

“East Perth were broke and had little choice because they had no money,” he said. “We don’t have the same problems that East Perth had.”

Play Video Go back three decades to see some ripping efforts from the likes of Peter Menaglio, Benny Vigona and David Hart. The West Australian Video Go back three decades to see some ripping efforts from the likes of Peter Menaglio, Benny Vigona and David Hart.

Mann said an alignment offered considerable downside for the WAFL partner as East Perth had discovered with the growing loss of disillusioned players, members and supporters.

“The same reasons that East Perth now want to get out would happen with us down the track,” Mann said. “I call it the Jindalee factor. You have to look over the horizon in life and we can’t see any reason that it would create any benefit.”

Nisbett acknowledged the alignment with East Perth had required compromise.

“The partnership with East Perth has been terrific for us but it is not perfect,” he said.

“They have goals and we have goals and never the twain shall meet on some of those goals.”

Mann said Perth would be happy to discuss the merits of a West Coast stand-alone WAFL team and recognised that the old system — with all AFL players distributed across the nine clubs — would never return.

“That distribution of players worked very well, probably better than now actually, but it is not going to go back to that so there is no point talking about it,” he said.

Mann said Perth supported West Coast and Fremantle but not at the cost of their own club nor the integrity of the WAFL.

“We are happy to work closely with them to ensure they are successful because they are very important for West Australian football,” he said.

“We would be happy to have a discussion if the Eagles want to come in with a 10th side in the WAFL. Peel should probably continue with their arrangement with Fremantle but that is a matter for those clubs.”