Matty Holmes kicked West's fourth to keep the team in the game, but coach Waylon Nielsen's quick reply snuffed out any comeback by the Dragons.

West got a little closer with a late goal to Nathan Grzona, but was being let down by inaccurate kicking and added 3.8 for the quarter, while Roopena kicked 3.2.

Dragons were still trailing by 19 points at the long break, with Roopena playing the better football and travelling like winners.

The first half was interesting with Manfield completely dominating the game, bringing other players around him into the game.

Roopena definitely looking like winners unless Westies could stage one of their courageous fightbacks, which the team had done once or twice previously during the season.

Leading full forward Matt Oliver had no influence on the game, hardly having a touch of the ball and being well held by Dragons full back Aaron Smith.

Roopena came out with all guns blazing early in the second half, with early goals to Burgess and Oliver, then further goals to Toto Bodinner and Burgess.

The Roos took complete control with their dominant play and great teamwork and put the game well out of the Dragons reach.

However, like all good sides, West was not beaten as it kicked the last three goals of the quarter to Kellett, Henderson and Dylan Everett, and still there was a small glimmer of hope for victory.

But the team was still trailing by 27 points at the last change, with the scores 13.9 to 8.12.

Dylan Everett got the last quarter off to a great start for his team, but that hope was short lived as goals to Burgess, Manfield (his sixth) and Oliver saw the impressive Roos glide to an easy 44 point victory, with the final scores 16.15 to 9.13.

Easily the best on ground and worthy winner of the Naish Travers medal was Roopena's Matty Manfield, who was completely dominant, especially early in the game.

With his strong marking and long kicking for goal, he was a treat to watch as he took his brother Anthony "to the cleaners."

It was probably one of the best individual performances seen in a Whyalla grand final for a long time.

Coach Waylon Nielsen turned back the clock with his skilful play, often setting up teammates with his precision kicking and good play, playing the team game to perfection.

Nick Warren was in the game right from the start, producing some skilful passages of play as well, with others to play their part being Damien Hanneman, Aaron Kwaterski, Ryan Burgess for his four goals, Paul Zucker and Greg Fiebig.

This was what could only be described as a complete team effort.

I gave Westies best to full back Aaron Smith, because he never let star full forward Matt Oliver get into the game, restricting him to only a handful of touches.

Fraser Marshall never gave up trying and he used his ball skills well.

Matt Fargher was another who was useful, with Mick Kellett, Nathan Grzona and Shannon Winders best of the others, but overall it was a disappointing performance by the minor premiers.

Although it was not as close a contest as we all thought it would be, it was still a fantastic game of football with many fine individual performances that were outstanding.

The game often brought the large crowd to its feet and the teamwork by Roopena was first class, while the large and vocal crowd got into the spirit of the day, with plenty of colour on show, capping off a great day of football.