East Perth paid the price for failing to capitalise on their period of dominance in the WAFL preliminary final yesterday, bowing to arch rivals West Perth by 29 points.

The margin was not a true reflection on the balance of play, with the Falcons rattling on a few late goals, but that was irrelevant in a cut-throat final, as they won 14.13 (97) to 10.8 (68).

The Royals controlled the game when kicking with the breeze in the opening quarter and deserved to lead by more than the 20 point cushion they enjoyed at the first break. West Perth rallied in the second term to take a six-point margin into half-time and scores were locked together at the last change.

West Perth took the ascendancy in the last 25 minutes of the contest, broke away from the Royals and then cruised to victory.

While it was bitterly disappointing, good signs came through the efforts of youngster Jackson Nelson, developing midfielder Corey Adamson and the ultra-consistent Kane Lucas.

Of the West Coast players representing the Royals, Nelson was probably the pick of the bunch with 15 possessions and five marks, playing in defence and through the midfield, finishing off his work with a goal.

Adamson had 16 touches and seven tackles, while Lucas had 17 possessions, five marks and eight tackles.

Malcolm Karpany was also lively and continued his impressive development at the back end of the season, while Rowan Powell had 12 disposals and Dylan Main had a good period at the end of the third term when he kicked successive goals to keep East Perth in touch.

Paddy Brophy was solid in defence with Jamie Bennell, but Brant Colledge, returning from a long lay-off, Tom Barrass and Tom Lamb struggled to impact the game. All, however, will be better for the experience of playing a high-pressure final.

Colledge kicked two goals and also was on the receiving end of a dangerous tackle which could have unsettled him.