Subiaco beat the odds and the elements to score an impressive 16-point win over East Perth in the WAFL grand final on Sunday.

Lions captain Kyal Horsley and Jason Bristow made light of the wet and slippery conditions to lead their side to a 11.16 (82) to 9.12 (66) victory over a Royals side packed with AFL talent.

Former Gold Coast midfielder Horsley, who missed Subiaco's second semi-final loss to East Perth through injury, had 26 touches and kicked one goal, while Bristow claimed the Simpson Medal as the best player on ground with 23 touches and a goal.

The Royals had 11 West Coast-listed players, but in the premiership quarter - the third - it was Subiaco who set up a terrific victory.

East Perth led by one point at quarter-time. The Royals had four more inside 50s than the Lions in the opening term and their forwards got their hands on the ball enough times to have an impact.

But Callum Sinclair kicked just two behinds in the first quarter and it was Pat McGinnity who kicked the first goal of the game at the eight-minute mark.

However, the Eagles veteran spent the second half on the bench with a broken finger, which hurt the Royals.

Subiaco had its chances in that first 30 minutes and did score when it went forward, but 1.7 from 10 inside 50s was not enough.

It was almost 18 minutes into the game before the Lions kicked their first goal and that came from a difficult snap off the boot of Josh Deluca.

Hampson gave the Lions the lead at the five-minute mark of the second term, from another turnover from East Perth.

Chris Phelan roved well 22 minutes into the second term and kicked truly to put the Lions 11 points up.

That sparked some feeling in the game and there were punches thrown in a spirited melee before the half-time siren, that will surely merit some scrutiny.

East Perth struggled to get out of its defensive 50 in the third term because of the enormous pressure put on by the Subiaco forwards. Matt Boland, who had been quiet in the first half, was outstanding.

Back to back goals by Horsley and Deluca at the 21-minute mark made the margin 23 points and put the flag in Subiaco's grasp.

The story of the game was told just on the three-quarter-time siren when East Perth's Josh Hill marked, but missed a shot on goal, leaving the Lions with a solid 28-point lead at the final break.

The Lions gained momentum in the final term, but couldn't bridge the gap.