Monaghan picks German's brain on Williamstown traits
West Perth will draw on the experience of former Williamstown coach Peter German when they try to upset the VFL powerhouse in tonight's Foxtel Cup grand final.
German, who coached Subiaco to two flags last decade, was at the helm of Williamstown for several seasons before switching to Coburg this year.
German and West Perth coach Bill Monaghan spent several years together at Subiaco and the Falcons boss was eager to quiz his former mentor before the game at Simonds Stadium.
Monaghan said he received valuable insights as he tries to pair his WAFL premiership last year with victory in the national competition.
"Germo was very clear about what makes them a good team and what we have to do to combat them," Monaghan said.
"They have great running power and they use the ball very quickly off half-back.
"We will have to be very good at stoppages to stop their spread."
West Perth will receive $110,000 if they win the competition which comes as their WAFL premiership defence looks increasingly forlorn.
Monaghan said success tonight would not provide any consolation for their disappointing season, but would be a reward for two excellent Foxtel Cup performances.
And it would be further proof that the WAFL was on a par with the other two major State leagues.
"Maybe we're a good 20- minute team," he said in reference to the national competition's short quarters.
"There was a gulf between the WAFL and the VFL and SANFL a few years ago, but our teams have done well in the Foxtel Cup for a while now and we have had plenty of recent success in State matches.
"We have closed the gap."
West Perth will field at least 18 regulars, but could not consider veterans Matt Guadagnin and Dan Hunt because of work commitments.
State forward Nick Rodda damaged a knee at training last week and could miss a month and Kody Manning is battling a shoulder injury.
·Perth forward Paul Bevan will contest a rough-conduct charge at the WAFL Tribunal tonight after rejecting the three-week ban offered by the report review panel.
Bevan was reported over his late bump at Medibank Stadium on Saturday that left Subiaco's Brett Mahoney concussed.
He was not entitled to a good- record discount after accepting a reprimand for rough conduct in the round-12 game against Subiaco.
Draft hopeful Clem Smith will also appear before the tribunal after being reported for rough conduct against Subiaco's George Hampson.
FOXTEL CUP GRAND FINAL *
West Perth v Williamstown *
Simonds Stadium 6.30pm. Fox Footy
West Perth: B: * Browne Marusic Rasmussen *HB: * Tedesco Jones Strijk *C: * Bartholomew J van Berlo Kerr *HF: * Crisp Adams Shannon *F: * Alexander Tsalikis Lynch *Ruck: * Keunen Black Nelson *Int: * Antonio Chalmers Martin Johnson *Emerg: * Rohde M van Berlo.
Williamstown: * *B: * Woods Critchley Faulks *HB: * Dorgan Mangan Masters *C: * Charleston Jolley Marcon *HF: * Gibbons Clouston Davies *F: * Sing Ferguson Owen *Ruck: * Tighe Johnstone Lambert *Int: * Fahey Hetherington McCallum McKenzie *Emerg: * Banner Nastasi Meese