On the edge of our WAFL seats

by LES EVERETT

THERE was a predictability about last year's finals series. East Perth was going to win the premiership and that was that.

But events at Subiaco Oval last Saturday afternoon indicate we'll be on the edge of our seats this September.

East Fremantle limped into the first semi with four consecutive losses behind them and then went into the game without its most potent weapon - twin talls Simon Eastaugh and Aaron Sandilands.

We stood by to watch the inevitable massacre but instead saw West Perth scramble home and even admit they were lucky.

The close win will do the Falcons the world of good. The loser of Sunday's second semi final will know they will be coming up against a West Perth team that won't give in and has developed the kind of spirit that can win a premiership.

Subiaco has beaten East Perth twice this season and did it easily when the teams last met just a few weeks ago. For this reason victory in the second semi may be more crucial for the Royals. Anything but a top rate performance could see an element of self doubt crept into an outfit that has been super-confident for a long time.

The Royals finished on top after the qualifying rounds so there's no need for supporters to feel gloomy - but there is the realisation that key premiership players Devan Perry, Rod Wheatley, Andrew Waller and Dean Buszan are not quite right.

It's possible they'll peak for the finals but we'll have to just wait and see. If they do a hat trick of premierships will be likely. If they don't then another group of players is going to have to do something exceptional.

The addition of Brent Tuckey and Judd Lalich has made this year's East Perth squad if anything stronger than it was in 2001 - this weekend will tell us a lot about how far they'll go.

East Perth vs Subiaco at Subiaco Oval. Sunday September 8, 2.15pm.

Devan Perry. Is he right?

Disclaimer