East Perth advance to Grand Final

EAST Perth have progressed through to the WAFL Grand Final, defeating Subiaco, 13.12 (90) to 7.16 (58), to run out 32-point victors at Medibank Stadium yesterday afternoon.

The Royals kicked the only four goals of the first quarter, before Subiaco bounced back to cut the margin to eight points at the main break. But it was East Perth who fired again to open the third term, taking a 29-point lead into the last change and breaking Subiaco’s winning record against the Royals in season 2014.

Fraser McInnes and Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls kicked two goals each, while Craig Wulff, Callum Sinclair, Josh Hill, Steven Payne, Dean Cadwallader, Dom Sheed, Josh Smith, Pat McGinnity and Brendan Lee kicked singles.

Cadwallader finished with 27 possessions to go with his goal, while Sam Butler also gathered 29 disposals, Blayne Wilson 28, Sheed 25, Steven Payne 25, Brendan Lee 22, Brant Colledge 21 and Nathan Blee 21.

Midfielder Sam Butler noted the importance of the club's defenders in the team make up. The Royals faced a potent Subiaco forward line on Sunday including Bernie Naylor Medal runner up Matthew Boland. 

"The backs were excellent today, a few times they saved our bacon, we’ve got good experience down there, they’ve played most of the year together. It’s good to know that more often than not it’s coming back out," he said. 

The rucking combination of Paul Johnson and Callum Sinclair again dominated with 57 hit outs. Johnson gathered  20 touches to go with 31 hit outs and Sinclair collected 17 disposals to go with 26 hit outs and nine marks.

Butler also spoke of the chemistry between the players and its importance in building future success.

"All the boys know each other well, the East Perth guys this year they’ve been fantastic with us, embracing us when we’ve come down.

"Obviously the game style is very similar to what West Coast play, so we know what we’re on about," he said.

"The boys from West Coast have come down and really embraced it as well so that’s the other side. I’ve been really proud of the way they’ve come in and have taken finals seriously, there's one more, hopefully we can get up."

The Royals will now await the winner of East Fremantle and Subiaco.

COLTS 

The Colts 2014 campaign ended at the hands of South Fremantle yesterday morning. Souths defeated the Royals by 21-points, 8.7 (55) to 11.10 (76) at Medibank Stadium. 

Tarir Bayok kicked two goals in the loss while Tony Kalimeris, Linford Smith, Tyler Ipsen, Will Young, Ben Miller and Tyler Keitel kicked a goal each.

The Colts showed plenty of improvement on last year winning 11 games and one draw compared with five wins in 2013.

Photos: Dan White