AFL premiership player Daniel Kerr is behind bars after being charged over a fire at his parent’s home in Western Australia.
AFL premiership player Daniel Kerr has pleaded not guilty to starting a house fire in Perth, and his lawyer says he is “upset” about remaining behind bars until at least his next court date.
Firefighters had already been battling the blaze at Kerr’s Kardinya home when police were alerted just after 4pm on Wednesday.
Kerr, 37, was arrested a short time later in Cottesloe and arson squad detectives charged him with criminal damage by fire.
The former West Coast Eagles player faced Fremantle Magistrates Court on Thursday where he pleaded not guilty to the offence.
Lawyer Rhett Williamson did not seek to get Kerr released from custody because he was on bail at the time of the alleged offence, which meant he must show exceptional circumstances to be granted bail again.
Mr Williamson later told NCA NewsWire someone else started the fire.
Asked about Kerr’s mental state, Mr Williamson said his client was “copping it on the chin”.
“He’s not happy about being in custody for something he didn’t do,” he said.
“But he’s pretty strong willed and pretty strong minded. He’s just upset.”
Mr Williamson confirmed the home was owned by Kerr’s parents, but said he had been living there alone for some time.
NCA NewsWire understands the fire was limited to the back of the house. Police remain at the scene.
Kerr is due back in court on April 27.
Kerr played 220 games for West Coast and was runner-up for the Brownlow Medal twice.
He was part of the Eagles’ premiership winning team in 2006, before retiring in 2013.
Kerr is the older brother of Matildas soccer star Sam Kerr.
