I remember when I saw the entire bootlist before the season even started and saw that Sandra would win, I was really disappointed. But Sandra really grew on me throughout the season, and I found myself rooting for her from mid-season onwards. I'm really happy that she won, and I think that she absolutely deserves it.
I don't think Sandra did nothing. I would see it as her preferring to stay away from the limelight. Which is a wise choice, letting others have the attention, letting others piss one another off and vote one another out and herself remaining safe. Yet she stepped up when she had to. She stirred up paranoia in Russell's mind the episode Coach got voted off and she got her way. Instead of being worked by Russell, she worked against Russell by trying to get him out but it's unfortunate that the Heroes were just too dumb. At the beginning of the game, she did mention her strategy of not treading on people's toes and giving her vote where it's needed. She did just that, she got to the end, and she won.
I don't think "better game" can be so easily defined in Survivor. Russell did play a heck of a game again. But despite this being a game, it involves people and people have emotions. Russell never really treated people with much respect. As for Parvati, I guess it was already difficult for her right from the start. Going in, she was viewed as a threat. It was either she aligned herself with Russell, or got voted off early. She did the former, and it's too bad people simply associated her with the ultimate villain.
Sandra might not have played a dominant game, but it doesn't mean that she's undeserving. Everyone has their own strategies. She had her own, she stuck to it, and it led her to winning. I think she really deserved this and I'm really happy for her! =)
Winner aside... I loved the finale! Loved it when Sandra burnt Russell's hat and gave a very matter-of-fact "no" when he asked if anyone had seen his hat. Loved it when Parvati was pleading her case to the jury and said, "I kept Russell as a pet" and Russell raised his eyebrow in annoyance. I really love this season, despite the fact that the bootlist was out long ago, the cast made for a really interesting and exciting season. Great season!