West Perth wins 2014 reserves premiershipSunday, September 21, 2014 - 2:49 PM - by Chris Pike

WEST Perth kicked the only three goals of the final quarter to beat Subiaco by 14 points in the WAFL reserves grand final to end a drought that stretches way back to 1960.

The Falcons had not won a reserves premiership since 1960 and lost last year's grand final to South Fremantle, but finished the stronger over the minor premiers Subiaco on Sunday at Patersons Stadium to come away with the victory.

Subiaco had finished the season clear on top of the reserves ladder and had a massive percentage while scoring a thumping second semi-final win also over West Perth, but the Falcons finished the better in the wet conditions of the grand final.

The rain was persistent the entire day and that meant that only three goals were scored in the opening half and only five up until three quarter-time, but West Perth kicked the only three goals of the last quarter to win 5.9 (39) to 3.7 (25).

West Perth's team featured two league premiership players from 2013 with Shaun Marusic outstanding finishing with 18 possessions, five marks, 14 hit outs, seven clearances, six tackles, five inside-50 entries and a crucial final quarter goal.

Marusic was awarded with the Merv McIntosh Medal after being judged best afield while Matt Fowler also kicked two crucial goals from limited opportunities after also taking part in last year's league triumph with the Falcons.

Prendergast Medal winner Aidan Lynch was also outstanding again for the Falcons with 27 possessions, eight tackles, seven clearances and a goal.

Trent Manzone picked up 18 possessions (six clearances), Blake Wilhelm 18, Brayden Antonio 15, Sam Money 13 and Jack Thrum 13 (13 tackles, six clearances).

Shayne Zanetti was just playing his third game of the season and he came back into the team after missing the preliminary final win over East Fremantle, and worked tirelessly with 41 hit outs to go with nine possessions and four clearances.

Subiaco's team featured a host of players who would have been hoping to be part of the league team this season including Reece Blechynden, Rob Forrest, Abe Davey, Justin Joyce, Simon Moore, Kyle Halligan, Will Fetherstonhaugh, Ryan Wade and Dylan Clarke.

Joyce was Subiaco's best performer after a terrific league season finishing with 19 possessions, 10 tackles and seven clearances.

Wade picked up 18 possessions, Fetherstonhaugh 17, Luke Norriss 15, Blechynden 14 and Joe Scafidi 14 to go with seen clearances.

The rain was pouring down from the start of the match and both teams could manage just the one goal each in the opening quarter with Subiaco's major coming from Sean Bradley and West Perth's from Lynch.

Subiaco then managed just the one behind for the second quarter with West Perth adding a goal through Fowler and the Falcons led at half-time by a goal as a result.

The Lions then kicked the only two goals of the third quarter through Fetherstonhaugh and Clarke to give them a five-point advantage at the last change.

However, West Perth drew level thanks to a terrific snap from a pack from near the 50-metre line from Marusic at the 13-minute mark of the final quarter.

Just two minutes later it was Corey Chalmers' moment of the grand final when he drove a ball long inside-50 and it got over the back of the contest and skidded through for a goal to put West Perth in front.

The game and premiership was then secured when Fowler added his second goal of the game and West Perth were home to the tune of 14 points.

WEST PERTH        1.3    2.4    2.7    5.9    (39)
SUBIACO        1.3    1.4    3.6    3.7    (25)

WEST PERTH – Goals: Fowler 2; Lynch, Marusic, Chalmers.
Best: Marusic, Lynch, Zanetti, Thrum, Manzone, Wilhelm, Antonio.
SUBIACO – Goals: Bradley, Fetherstonhaugh, Clarke.
Best: Joyce, Fetherstonhaugh, Wade, Scafidi, Blechynden, Norriss.

MERV McINTOSH MEDAL: Shaun Marusic (West Perth).