Just too good

by LES EVERETT
WHAT can you say about a grand final that's effectively over as a contest half through the first quarter - if not earlier? Let's try it in point form...

1. When you're a fan it's great to see your team completely untroubled in a big game - it's like one long celebration.

2. This East Perth team is worth celebrating. Tony Micale's Royals play tough, fair, well-organised football and if others try to emulate them rather than whinge about them the Micale legacy will be the raising of the standard of the competition.

3. Despite its disciplined approach the team has its share of flair - Troy Butcher is inventive; David Swan's judgment has an almost mystical quality about it; no-one burrows into packs or out-bustles opponents with as much style as Devan Perry; Paul Ridley causes panic when he's near the goals and big men Ryan Turnbull and Judd Lalich as masters of the knock-on which probably doesn't even rate a mention on the statistics sheets.

4. Watching the defenders arrange themselves to thwart dangerous attacks from Falcons with space in the midfield was educational.

5. Aaron Marley is perhaps the epitome of what's good about the Royals. He's too small to play where he does but will head back to Collie with three premiership medallions and two fairest and best awards to show for his little stay in the big smoke.

6. The emotions shown by the players after the game showed they were stung by insinuations about the previous premierships and felt the 2002 season proved a point.

7. Andrew Waller was unlucky to miss out on the grand final but every player contributed to the win and some other good players also missed the grand final.

Dean Brennan, Craig Glancy & Rod Wheatley celebrate East Perth's WAFL premiership

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