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Lionhearted effort wins top gong for Bristow

Jason Bristow with the Simpson Medal. Pic: Sharon Smith/WA News

Jason Bristow has enjoyed some great moments in his career, but yesterday at Patersons Stadium will forever have pride of place.

The hard-working Subiaco midfielder claimed the Simpson Medal as well as a treasured premiership medallion after playing a starring role in the Lions' 16-point upset of East Perth.

Bristow was at the coalface all day, gathering 27 possessions and seven clearances to go with his five tackles and crucial third-quarter goal.

"You don't really think about it (the Simpson Medal) during the game," Bristow said.

"I thought Chris Phelan had a pretty awesome game, but I'll take it."

And at 30 years of age, Bristow did not rule out his brilliant grand final display being his last at WAFL level.

"I'm pretty close to done," he said. "Last year I was actually pretty close and it is a bit of a year-by-year thing.

"I'm not really thinking about it at the moment, so we'll see what happens."

The Victorian admitted he didn't mind the wet conditions.

"It was a tough battle out there," he said.

"We gave ourselves a chance at the start of the day. All the boys did their bit.

"It was a bit of a slog of a day but we got there in the end.

"You don't really know if it (the wet weather) is going to suit the team or not, but the boys had the right mindset and played well."

He said the disappointment of losing grand finals with Subiaco in 2009 and 2011 had driven him.

"I still think about those days," Bristow said.

"You don't know when you're going to get another chance.

"I was just so glad we took our opportunity today and I'm going to enjoy it for the rest of my life."

Bristow plied his trade in his home State before crossing to the Lions for the 2008 season.

"I came over here on a bit of a limb for a couple of years and seven years later I'm still here," he said.

"I'm just glad I've got a reason to visit the club for the rest of my life now."