It saw East Perth, despite the end of the first host club scheme that was thought to have unfairly favoured the Royals,[1] win their third successive premiership for the first hat-trick in the WA(N)FL since Swan Districts between 1982 and 1984.
The loss of these players, and of financial support given to prevent Peel from folding, was to see the Thunder after three years of relatively promising on-field form including wins against three finalists in 2002[4] again hit rock-bottom the following season.
[1] Swan Districts win their only game after a fifty-metre penalty to Craig de Corsey for an off-the ball incident not seen by the crowd gives them an easy goal.
[19] Big Shark ruckmen Aaron Sandilands and Simon Eastaugh give East Fremantle a win that essentially ends Perth’s finals hopes, despite a second-half fadeout that sees them kick only 4.2 (26) to 10.11 (71).
[25] Tony Micale wins his fourth premiership in five years (he won with East Fremantle in 1998) as West Perth are strangled completely up forward before rain affects the second half and the Royals coast.