Don't stand in Wilson's way

by LES EVERETT

PLAYING football against Troy Wilson must be a bit like being a pedestrian in Rome.

There are crosswalks in that beautiful city and I'm sure there are road rules, but really there's only one law you need to heed if you're on foot - "get out of the way".

In East Perth's most recent game at East Fremantle Oval it took the Sharks about five minutes and three casualties to get the picture. Once they'd cottoned on to the way you play in Wilson's presence things settled down. The Sharks were admirably dogged, Wilson kicked seven goals and the Royals went into the bye imposed break with another close win under their belts.

Wilson's not a dirty player, he just runs straight and if you get in his way he doesn't stop. (In the 1997 grand final he might have run into someone as the ball was being bounced and wasn't very close to him - but Wilson was wearing red and blue then and that's enough to turn anyone dirty.) This week it's yet another challenge for the blue and blacks, Claremont at Leederville Oval.

The Tigers have been very impressive this year and thrashed the Royals when the teams met in Albany in April. That result can be dismissed on the grounds that Royals don't like summer and don't like the country. However the consistently good form of Claremont can't be discounted. The Tigers are well organised and well balanced.

If East Perth can get over this one then second spot and a second semi will look very possible. Yet another top quality WAFL offering at Leederville Oval, Saturday July 14, 2.20pm.

Anyway, I'm off. By the time you read this I'll be in Paris. Checking traffic or something.

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