West Adelaide has 100,000 reasons to smile after winning Foxtel Cup

WEST Adelaide bean counters as well as the players are smiling after winning the Foxtel Cup and the $100,000 prize purse to go with it.

Reece Homfray

less than 2 min read

August 7, 2013 - 9:55AM

WEST Adelaide bean counters as well as the players were smiling on Wednesday after the club won the Foxtel Cup and the $100,000 prize purse to go with it.

The club has marginally reduced its $1.2 million bank debt this season and chief executive Kym Russell said Tuesday night's Foxtel Cup triumph over East Fremantle would "take a bit of pressure off".

"It's great for the whole club and everyone was walking in with an extra spring in their step this morning," Mr Russell said.

"It was great to see our supporters at the game and the $100,000, when we get it, will be fantastic."

The Bloods have promised to share some of the prizemoney with the players.

But Mr Russell said the amount would not be decided until he gets the all-clear from the SANFL to ensure it does not breach salary cap rules.

The club plans to use its share of the money to reduce debt owed to creditors.

"By no means do we think that we're out of the water but it takes a bit of pressure off," Mr Russell said.

West Adelaide won a low-scoring affair against the WAFL's East Fremantle, 4.8 (32) to 2.16 (28) at AAMI Stadium.

The Bloods got through the game without any injuries and with the bye this weekend, players have been given the rest of the week off and will return for training on Monday night.

Coach Andrew Collins said the big-game experience was good for his players' development.

"It (Foxtel Cup) was one of our goals," he said.

"It was a big game and it had the confrontation that comes with big games and was a terrific learning experience."

Midfielder Chris Schmidt said the win reinforced the little things the team needed to do to be competitive in big games.

"We stuck to our usual game plan and tried to keep everything simple," Schmidt said.

"Now we'll take it easy for the rest of the week, the guys will get their recovery right and we'll get stuck into it again."

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