Report by Jonathan Cook

Not so long ago, Craig Simpson and Trent Kay were teammates aiming for glory in the sky blue of Perth SC.

On Saturday, the pair will go head-to-head as the respective captains of Perth and Bayswater City in the inaugural National Premier Leagues WA Grand Final at Dorrien Gardens.

Since they last stood shoulder-to-shoulder for Perth in 2012, Simpson has had a season with Inglewood United before returning “home” and Kay has joined a resurgent Bayswater City.

Simpson has recent bragging rights over his mate after Perth crushed Bayswater 5-0 in a semi-final at Frank Drago Reserve but he will be taking nothing for granted when Saturday’s match kicks off at 2.30pm.

“We want to be confident but definitely not cocky after that result,” Simpson said. “We took our chances and we managed to stop their chances but this is a completely different game.

“We really want this because we haven’t won anything this year so this is our chance to get the title.”

Perth finished 10th last season and have stormed to second place under the guidance of coach Taki Nicolaidis. Even though Simpson was confident of a turnaround, he has been surprised by just how quickly Perth has climbed back towards the top of WA football.

“It’s massive for the club to have turned it around like it has and to win this weekend would be huge,” he said.

“Personally, to be the captain lead them into the grand final is a huge honour.”

Kay has been under an injury cloud recently with a hamstring strain but said he was ready to return for the big match.

Bayswater, who have won the Night Series, Cool Ridge Cup and league title this season, are motivated by the thought of clinching another trophy as well as avenging their heavy recent defeat.

“This is the first Grand Final I’ve ever played against Perth and coming off a 5-0 loss in the semi wasn’t good enough,” Kay said. “We’re looking to bounce back and hopefully hit them where it hurts in the final.

“It was a wake-up call and even during training after that the boys stepped it up a level.”

Bayswater needed Gustavo Giron Marulanda’s extra-time goal last weekend against Balcatta to advance to the Grand Final.