WEST PERTH GRAND FINAL PLAYER RATINGS

WEST Perth beat East Perth by 49 points in Sunday's WAFL grand final to claim the Falcons' first premiership since 2003 and all 22 players made a strong contribution in the premiership triumph.

WEST Perth beat East Perth by 49 points in Sunday's WAFL grand final to claim the Falcons' first premiership since 2003 and all 22 players made a strong contribution in the premiership triumph.

1. Aaron Black - 7

The 20-year-old has now played 63 league games already for West Perth and now can call himself a premiership player before his 21st birthday on Christmas Day later this year.

Spending most of his time on the wing, Black has had an outstanding 2013 season which saw him also represent Western Australia in the state game win over Victoria in Northam, and he had another outstanding game in the grand final.

Finished the grand final with 23 possessions and four clearances as he continues to build his reputation as one of the very best emerging talents in the WAFL.

2. Jason Salecic - 6

The skipper was the only player in the West Perth team to have played in a WAFL grand final previously having been there for the 2002 loss to East Perth and the 2003 triumph over Subiaco.

It has been a long 10 years until this year's grand final, but Salecic now is a dual premiership player and a premiership captain as the 213-game, Breckler Medal winning captain's reputation as an all-time great of the West Perth Football Club continues to grow.

The 29-year-old played most of the grand final across half-forward and was closely minded by East Perth's Ryan Maldenis, but he still contributed 13 possessions, five tackles, three inside-50 entries and a goal midway through the third quarter.

3. Andrew Strijk - 6.5

The 25-year-old was playing his 133rd game in his first grand final and put in a brave showing to be a strong contributor for the Falcons across the half-back line.

He hurt his shoulder in the first half, but fought through that pain to continue to play a physical style of football and was even still able to spoil and mark above his head despite his shoulder complaint.

Finished with 16 possessions, five marks, three inside-50 entries and three rebounds from the defensive 50.

4. Rohan Kerr - 9

Arrived at West Perth at the start of 2013 after three years listed with Carlton without breaking through for an AFL game, and quickly established himself as one of the most damaging wingmen/half forwards in the competition.

Showed all of his finishing capabilities with a superb grand final ending up booting a game-high five goals from 19 possessions and six marks to be one of the very best players on the ground.

His first goal was the opening major of the game when he kicked a beauty from deep in the forward pocket before he added a second at the 15-minute of the first quarter, his third just before half-time, fourth at the 15-minute mark of the last quarter and then fifth at the 30-minute mark.

5. Jordan Jones - 6

The former West Coast and Peel Thunder versatile utility is now a premiership player after two years with West Perth and the 23-year-old had a superb 2013 season, and a rock solid grand final in defence.

He struggled to find his best position in 2012 in his first year off the Eagles list, but settled into a role in defence during the 2013 season and shone whether playing on small or tall forwards from the opposition, and whether asked to play lockdown roles or to be the general to set up play from defence.

Had another solid performance in the grand final with 14 possessions, four marks, two inside-50 entries and four rebounds from the defensive 50.

6. Marc Crisp – 7

Had managed only 31 league games for West Perth since making his debut in 2008 prior to the start of this year, but cemented himself as a key member of the forward-line both in terms of kicking goals and putting on strong defensive pressure.

That saw him have a massive say in West Perth making the grand final when he kicked four goals in the second semi-final win over Claremont at Claremont Oval.

The 26-year-old added another two goals in the grand final when he kicked his first just before half-time and then second at the 12-minute mark of the third term to put West Perth back out to a nine-point lead.

He also had 15 possessions, six marks and three inside-50 entries to go with his two goals.

7. Steven Browne - 6.5

The hard-as-nails half-back has been as consistent as anyone in the West Perth line-up since he returned to the Falcons in 2011 after 23 AFL games with Carlton in three years, and finished off with a strong showing in his first grand final.

His physicality, tackling ability and refusal to be beaten in a contest continues to lead the way for the Falcons and that made him a natural match-up for East Perth co-captain Craig Wulff early in the grand final.

He had several different opponents throughout the day and continued to be a crucial member of the West Perth defence finishing with 12 possessions and five rebounds out of the defensive 50.

8. Mark Hutchings – 9.5

The 22-year-old starred in all 11 of his home and away season games with West Perth in 2013 when not playing with the Eagles, put in a strong showing in the second semi-final win over Claremont and then was simply brilliant in the grand final victory over East Perth.

He finished with the Simpson Medal after being judged best afield for his performance that saw him collect 29 possessions, win eight clearances, take five marks, lay five tackles, drive the ball inside-50 on three occasions and kick three crucial goals.

He thought he had four goals as well before the umpires reversed a decision in the second quarter that was initially paid a goal when they determined it had been touched off his boot.

The Hutchings story saw him initially drafted to St Kilda from East Perth but after just one year with the Saints he was delisted and returned to the WAFL and signed with West Perth.

He had an outstanding two seasons ending up with West Coast rookie-listing him for 2013 and now, when not playing with the Eagles in 2014 he will be back at East Perth because of the alignment.

10. Matt Guadagnin – 8.5

Has built his reputation over the past decade as one of the hardest working, toughest, most consistent and respected West Perth players and now after 162 matches with the Falcons he has played in his first grand final, and is a premiership player.

There has been no more committed West Perth midfielder over the past decade as he continually puts his body on the line for the Falcons, and now he has been rewarded with a premiership and played a tremendous grand final himself.

The 29-year-old finished with 24 possessions, 12 clearances, seven tackles and five inside-50 entries with the conditions making the game a tight and tough affair, and that suited him right down to the ground.

12. Dan Hunt – 7

The veteran defender had to wait until his 150th game with West Perth to play in his first winning final in the second semi-final win over Claremont, and in game No. 151 he played in his first grand final and now is a premiership player.

With Michael Pettigrew ruled out with a hamstring injury, he had the big job on Bernie Naylor Medallist Josh Smith in the grand final and despite Smith booting two goals in the first quarter and four minutes of the game, he did a tremendous job on him all afternoon.

Smith didn’t add another goal and Hunt's performance of shutting him down went a long way to West Perth's eventual victory.

14. Shane Nelson – 9.5

The 20-year-old midfielder had a breakout 2012 season, has consolidated and built on that with an outstanding and consistent year on the ball for the Falcons and then put together one of the very best grand finals from a youngster in the win over East Perth.

Unlucky to be just edged out for the Simpson Medal by fellow midfielder Mark Hutchings, he was simply brilliant with the conditions allowing him to showcase his ability to win the ball in close and feed it out to his running midfielders, and to dominate at the stoppages.

Finished the grand final with a team-high 36 possessions and an incredible 13 clearances of which seven came from centre bounces.

He also drove the ball inside-50 on six occasions and kicked a terrific goal from outside 50 with the advantage of the wind at the 31-minute mark of the final quarter with the Falcons in full celebration mode. 

17. Matt Fowler - 6

The full-forward from Queensland is now a premiership player with West Perth after two years with the Falcons.

The 21-year-old earned his place in the team thanks to some outstanding goalkicking form in the reserves and he has some very obvious strengths to his game that make him an important cog in the forward-line – the ability to mark on the lead and generally to kick straight.

He finished the grand final with two goals from four kicks and with two of the biggest goal celebrations you are likely to see. He booted his first goal late in the third quarter from a near impossible angle outside the boundary before adding a second during the last term.

18. Jay van Berlo - 8

The now 25-year-old veteran of 79 WAFL games won a Breckler Medal in 2008 before going on to play 32 AFL matches with Fremantle in four years, but has returned to the Falcons full-time in 2013 and been outstanding in the midfield.

Played for WA in the win over Victoria and then made a quicker than expected return from a knee injury late in the season to be able to become a premiership player and a key component of the team that won the grand final.

He finished the grand final with 18 possessions but perhaps more impressively seven clearances to go with four tackles and four inside-50 entries.

19. Chris Keunen - 7.5

The 130-game experienced ruckman was entrusted with carrying West Perth's ruck duties up against both Paul Johnson and Scott Lycett in Sunday's grand final, and did an outstanding job to end up being a massive reason why the Falcons beat East Perth to claim the 2013 premiership.

He admittedly likes to carry the majority of the ruck load to himself during games where he can showcase his outstanding fitness, and the coaching staff backed him in despite the temptation of selecting Frank Stockley to help him out.

In the end, Keunen was terrific in the grand final up against two men with AFL experience not to mention who both had a height and weight advantage over him.

He ended up with 13 possessions, 31 hit outs, six clearances and four inside-50 entries to be a strong contributor to West Perth's win while also limiting the influence for East Perth of Johnson and Lycett around the ground.

20. Shaun Marusic - 6

After arriving from Frankston in the VFL over the off-season, he didn’t make his league debut for West Perth until Round 12, but once in the side he remained there as an important big man at either end of the ground.

Initially he came into the team to play as a tall forward target and to help back up Keunen in the ruck, but over the last month he has switched to the back-line and done some big jobs and did another one in the grand final.

While he had no kicks and just three handballs himself, he did work hard laying five tackles and most importantly was tremendously defensively on both Scott Lycett and Paul Johnson when they weren’t in the ruck, and he limited their influence almost totally on the game when they were playing as forwards.

21. Laine Rasmussen - 6

The 20-year-old had an outstanding start to the 2013 season as a small defender but he then got hurt and only managed to play three of the last 13 matches in the league side to close the home and away season.

However, he returned in the reserves in Round 24 against Swan Districts and was backed in to play in the league second semi-final against Claremont, and put in a strong showing and held his spot for the grand final and did well limited the influence of East Perth's small forwards, and had four rebounds from the defensive 50 himself.

23. Luke Tedesco – 5.5

The vice-captain had to put in an enormous rehab program to get himself right to play in the finals after tearing his calf in Round 23 against East Fremantle.

He worked tirelessly to get himself right and wasn’t set to go for semi-final weekend, but then did play in West Perth's reserves preliminary final win over Perth and that saw him available for selection in the league grand final.

The coaching staff backed him in as he took the place of the unlucky Trent Manzone, and he more than held his own in the grand final in his 105th match with the Falcons as he became a premiership player.

25. Ray Bartholomew – 5.5

The veteran wingman also had to fight back from a serious calf injury midway through the season but made it back into the West Perth side in Round 19, and now after his 153rd game with the Falcons was his first grand final and he is now a premiership player.

The 28-year-old finished the grand final with 15 possessions, four tackles, two clearances, two inside-50 entries and two rebounds from the defensive 50.

27. Steve Potente - 6

After previously playing 24 games with Swan Districts including two finals in 2009, the 22-year-old was offered a fresh start in 2013 at West Perth as he tried to put his horror injury run behind him.

That didn’t get off to the perfect start with him sidelined early on in the season, but he came in to play two matches in the reserves before coming into the league side for the Falcons in Round 11 and remained there from Round 15 onwards.

He played some outstanding run-with roles in the midfield and was also a strong ball-winner in his own right on the ball, and in the grand final he finished with 15 possessions, five clearances, three inside-50 entries and a clever goal early in the second quarter.

40. Josh Mellington – 6.5

The Fremantle-listed forward has been a regular member of the West Perth team for three seasons now and is a deserved premiership player, and a strong contributor to the team that firstly made the finals, won the second semi-final and then beat Claremont in the second semi-final.

He then was the main target in the forward-line for much of the grand final and contributed strongly with 14 possessions, five inside-50 entries and four goals. He kicked two goals as well but could have had a massive game had it not been for his four behinds.

Mellington will now revert to playing with Peel Thunder in the WAFL in 2014 if he remains on Fremantle's list.

44. Nick Rodda – 5.5

The young big man played three league games in 2012 for the Falcons as a key defender, but has spent the majority of 2013 as the main tall target in the forward-line and despite being just 19 years of age, has held up remarkably well.

After just having played 23 matches, he is now a premiership player and made a solid contribution in the grand final win over East Perth with two goals from nine disposals, five marks, three clearances, three tackles, two inside-50 entries and two hit outs.

47. Kody Manning – 7.5

Has now played 40 league matches with West Perth and built his reputations as one of the hardest players in the competition, and one of the very best tacklers and he only enhanced his reputation on grand final day.

Prior to 2013, he had always played as a defender and given West Perth's strong back-line he might not have held his spot there but he has turned himself into a forward this year with his main job to apply enormous pressure and he has done that outstandingly well.

Had a superb grand final across half-forward finishing with 17 possessions, nine tackles, four clearances, four inside-50 entries and a goal to start off the final quarter to put West Perth up by 17 points.