FIRST FINALS WIN, GRAND FINAL WORTH THE WAIT FOR VETERANS

WEST Perth has been able to build a strong core group of experienced players over the last decade who are passionate about the Falcons and love playing together, and their perseverance has paid off now with a grand final berth in 2013.

West Perth last played in a grand final, and indeed last won a WAFL premiership, in 2003 and all bar current captain Jason Salecic have moved on from that side.

Salecic will be the only player who has played in a WAFL grand final coming into this Sunday's clash with arch-rivals East Perth at Subiaco's Patersons Stadium after the 212-game star initially played in 2002 losing grand final to East Perth, and the 2003 victory over Subiaco.

However, Salecic has now played 191 games since playing in that grand final before he will lead West Perth out onto the ground on Sunday.

Not only had West Perth not made a grand final until now since 2003, but had not actually won a final of any type over the last decade in six attempts.

That all changed in the second semi-final, though, a fortnight ago when West Perth beat the two-reigning premiers Claremont at Claremont Oval to advance to the grand final.

The victory over Claremont was the first winning final at league level in the WAFL that every member of the Falcons side apart from Salecic had actually played in.

While winning finals hasn’t happened over the last decade, and while the West Perth team of this year has some exciting young talent in it, the Falcons have built a strong core of experienced players who have stuck around for the chance to play in a grand final that now presents this Sunday.

Dustin Burns (172 games) and Dion Fleay (148) were two of the players that have been a key part of the West Perth team since that 2003 premiership, but both retired at the end of 2012 meaning that unfortunately they will miss out on this chance.

Then there is the heartbreaking story of 169-game veteran and five-time club leading goalkicker, while also kicking West Perth's most goals again in the home and away season this year, Anthony Tsalikis who will miss the grand final after injuring his shoulder against East Fremantle in Round 23 and since undergoing a full reconstruction.

The second semi-final win over Claremont, though, and now the subsequent grand final berth is a great reward for the senior players who have stuck around at West Perth waiting for such a moment.

Veteran midfielder Matt Guadagnin has been an outstanding, tough and prolific on-baller over his career but had to wait until his 161st game with the Falcons to first play in a winning final, and now his 162nd game will be a grand final.

Ray Bartholomew made his league debut for West Perth in 2004 and had played 151 matches before tasting a finals win for the first time against Claremont, and now the grand final will be his 153rd league appearance in the red-and-blue.

Dan Hunt has been one of the competition's best and most consistent key defenders since coming to West Perth after time with the Sydney Swans in 2005, and he celebrated his 150th game with the Falcons in the second semi-final and that doubled as the first finals victory of his career also.

Andrew Strijk made his league debut with West Perth in 2006 and has now played 132 matches for the Falcons to go with 13 AFL games with the West Coast Eagles, and three appearances for WA as well. His 132nd game was his first final win and now match No. 133 will be the grand final on Sunday.

Ruckman Chris Keunen had to bide his time and be patient behind the likes of Mark Seaby and Rob Warnock early in his career at West Perth after arriving from Victoria in 2006, but has now been the club's No. 1 ruckman for several seasons and his 129th game just happened to be his first finals win.

Luke Tedesco missed the win over Claremont due to a calf injury before returning in the reserves preliminary final last week where he made a strong case to be selected for the grand final which will just happen to be his 105th league game for the Falcons.

Jordan Jones (83rd game), Jay van Berlo (78th), Steven Browne (70th), Mark Hutchings (69th), Aaron Black (62nd) and Marc Crisp (51st) were also players who were able to play in their first WAFL finals victory in the second semi-final win over Claremont and can now look forward to a first grand final.

BY CHRIS PIKE