Dawson claims JJ Leonard Medal as Coach of the Year

Coach Brian Dawson says it is vital that his players make the most of the opportunity they have been given ahead of Sunday’s Grand Final.

Dawson received the JJ Leonard Medal for the WAFL Coach of the Year at the Sandover Medal last night and since taking over from Tony Micale at the beginning of the 2013 season, has taken the Royals to back to back grand final appearances.

“It’s great that the players get the opportunity to step out on the big stage and play in a grand final”.

“It really is about them, they really need to look forward to it and it’s one of those things where you’re not really sure when the next one will come around, so you best make the most of it.

“We need to get out and try to play the way we have across the whole of the season and we need to play our best game for the year on Sunday”, he said.

Dawson said a win on Sunday and the 2014 Premiership would be the highest reward to the Royals’ core group of leaders.

“There’s a fair bunch who have been around the club for a while and haven’t tasted the ultimate success. It would be great for them because they’ve stuck hard all this year and really worked very hard to make the year a success”.

East Perth co-captain and 245-game veteran Craig Wulff finished with 35 votes (6th) in last night's Sandover Count and Steven Payne 34 (7th).

Brendan Lee also polled 25 votes despite missing the opening six games.