Quiet confidence against strong side

Grand final weeks can be nervous, but there’s no point in me getting edgy and uptight because that will only distract the players.

The Royals have quality all over the park, but we’ll keep focusing on what we’ve been doing well all year.

Our wins have been about what we do and what we can control.

It comes down to how much pressure we put on to stop them moving the ball with precision.

We have huge respect for East Perth footballers such as Paul Johnson, former Falcon Josh Smith, Jamie Cripps and Brendan Lee.

They’re some of the prime movers in the whole competition.

Whoever we assign to thwart their influence will need to perform at their peak.

Having said that, they’re players we’ve targeted each time we’ve played the Royals this season and they’ve been fairly well contained.

We won’t be trying anything above and beyond what’s already worked for us this year.

East Perth needs to be worrying about some of our better players as well.

We’ve got a full squad to choose from besides the injured Michael Pettigrew and Anthony Tsalikis.

Ruckman Chris Keunen’s ankle has strengthened after suffering a minor injury in the second semi-final against Claremont.

Luke Tedesco pulled up well from his reserves game on the weekend.

If he makes it through this week’s training, we’ll be left with a tough selection decision.

I’ve admired the way Tsalikis and Pettigrew have conducted themselves.

It’s been a tough time for them, but they’ve been around the club offering their support and advice to the group.

We will have done all we can to prepare come Sunday and I’m confident we will perform.