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Congratulations to the Perth Blitz, breaking the Rockingham Vipers three year streak and securing their first ever title in a remarkable display of American Football, showcasing the best that gridiron has to offer in Western Australia.

With a final scoreline of 32-30 to the Perth Blitz, no one who attended the game could say that they knew the result from the beginning. The Blitz offense executed early and often, scoring on each of their drives bar one in the first half and their defense making it hard for the Vipers to move up the field. The Blitz took themselves into the break with a 20-6 lead and looked good value for it. The Vipers, known for their fight and determination, were not going to just lie down and let the boys in blue roll over them. They mounted their own attack, forcing the Blitz offense to punt several times in the second half and with the Vipers defense doing their part, the offense started threading passes and moving the chains. Resulting in several scores and some good periods of domination.

However, in the end, it all came down to determination. The Blitz defense, while allowing the touchdowns, refused to allow the accompanying conversions. This meant that on the Vipers last score, they needed the conversion to draw even and possibly send the game into overtime. But with that last effort, they couldn't convert. The Blitz offense were allowed back on the field and with a stoic force of will, drove the ball down the field again as time ran out. Choosing to kneel with seconds left in the game, the result going to the Blitz and their army of blue and white followers.

The game MVP was awarded to Blitz running back, Lui Luaiva.

The game was a thrilling one, the early dominance of the Blitz offense and brutal work ethic of their defense, accompanied by the passionate and skilled comeback of the Vipers in the second half showed just how good American Football can be in Western Australia. And with a crowd nearing 300, it proves that there is a great and enthusiastic audience for this amazing sport within our state.

With another season been and gone, a big thanks has to go out to the players on both sides for putting on the spectacle, all the referees for running a well structured and organised game, the commentators for providing as much information and entertainment as possible for all the fans of the game watching, Kingsway Sporting Complex for providing the grounds to play on and all the people behind the scenes to help make it happen.

Perth Blitz - Gridiron West 2011/12 State Champions.