1984 WAFL season

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1984 WAFL season
Teams 8
Premiers Swan Districts
(6th premiership)
Minor premiers Swan Districts
(4th minor premiership)
Bernie Naylor Medallist Brett Hutton (Swan Districts)
Sandover Medal Peter Spencer (East Perth)
Michael Mitchell (Claremont)
Steve Malaxos (Claremont)
1983
1985

The 1984 WAFL season was the 100th season of the West Australian Football League and its various incarnations. The season opened on 31 March and concluded on 22 September with the 1984 WAFL Grand Final contested between East Fremantle and Swan Districts.

It saw Swan Districts record their sixth WAFL premiership, and its third in a row, after a slow start that had it win only half its games in the first fourteen rounds. East Fremantle returned to the Grand Final after four disappointing seasons with only 28 wins from 85 games. After an unsuccessful decade, Subiaco recalled former coach Haydn Bunton, Jr., and despite only improving a single place in the seniors, were generally considered to have made an improvement with a young reserves side winning its first premiership since 1972.[1] South Fremantle, who began with a number of spectacular performances fell away from second place with five losses in their final six games. Claremont lost three-time century goalkicker Warren Ralph to Carlton,[2] and suffered severely from lacking a target in attack,[3] especially as recruit Bruce Monteath suffered severely from injuries.[4] The Tigers were last for five weeks early in the season and second from bottom before a winning streak of five games pushed them to third.

Off the field, the WAFL refused requests to allow telecasts of VFL matches in rural WA by the Golden West network.[5]

Home-and-away Season

Round 1

Round 1 |
Saturday, 31 March West Perth 15.11 (101) def. by Perth 18.18 (126) Leederville Oval (crowd: 7989)
Saturday, 31 March South Fremantle 24.12 (156) def. Claremont 18.15 (123) Fremantle Oval (crowd: 10870)
Saturday, 31 March East Fremantle 11.19 (85) def. by Subiaco 21.16 (142) Subiaco Oval (crowd: 6723)
Sunday, 1 April East Perth 19.13 (127) def. Swan Districts 16.17 (113) Bunbury (crowd: 6573)
  • The WAFL plays its first game outside metropolitan Perth at Bunbury, and the move is regarded as a genuine success.[6] Ultimately matches in country centres would become a regular part of WAFL scheduling.
  • East Perth, with a makeshift ruck due to the absence of 1983 Sandover winner John Ironmonger, record a surprise win led by future Collingwood star Michael Christian who dominates in defence.[7]

Round 2

Round 2 |
Saturday, 7 April East Perth 31.19 (205) def. West Perth 17.13 (115) Perth Oval (crowd: 9150)
Saturday, 7 April Perth 15.14 (104) def. by Subiaco 22.8 (140) Lathlain Park (crowd: 7375)
Saturday, 7 April Claremont 13.16 (94) def. by Swan Districts 18.14 (122) Claremont Oval (crowd: 8177)
Saturday, 7 April East Fremantle 17.13 (115) def. South Fremantle 15.17 (107) East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 10953)

East Perth kicked their highest score against West Perth (equalled in 2007),[8] as the Falcons have no answer to their running play. John Scott kicked eleven goals.[9]

Round 3

Round 3 |
Saturday, 14 April West Perth 17.11 (113) def. Subiaco 15.19 (109) Leederville Oval (crowd: 7020)
Saturday, 14 April Swan Districts 13.19 (97) def. by South Fremantle 20.12 (132) Subiaco Oval (crowd: 12233)
Saturday, 14 April Perth 25.18 (168) def. East Perth 13.9 (87) Lathlain Park (crowd: 9873)
Saturday, 14 April Claremont 15.13 (103) def. by East Fremantle 16.11 (107) Claremont Oval (crowd: 6565)

Former Claremont assistant coach Murray Ward helps orchestrate a win over his former club by rotating the centre half-forward position and putting Paul Harding, normally a ruckman, in attack.[3]

Round 4

Round 4 |
Saturday, 21 April Subiaco 8.4 (52) def. by Claremont 16.17 (113) Subiaco Oval (crowd: 9167)
Saturday, 21 April East Fremantle 21.21 (147) def. West Perth 16.16 (112) East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 7376)
Monday, 23 April Swan Districts 23.27 (165) def. Perth 11.13 (79) Bassendean Oval (crowd: 12989)
Monday, 23 April East Perth 9.9 (63) def. by South Fremantle 33.23 (221) Perth Oval (crowd: 13836)
  • In slippery conditions on the Saturday, Claremont’s individual skill allows them to win their first game against the suddenly fashionable Lions, who played only one WA State player against seven by Claremont.[10]
  • East Perth suffered the heaviest loss in its history, 158 points; this beat by 46 points the previous biggest losses in 1977 and 1929.[11] During the last quarter, South Fremantle kicked 13.5 (83).
  • Don Holmes kicks nine goals as Swans overwhelm the initially promising Demons.

Round 5

Round 5 |
Saturday, 28 April South Fremantle 15.29 (119) def. Perth 18.8 (116) Fremantle Oval (crowd: 8478)
Saturday, 28 April Subiaco 17.21 (123) def. East Perth 13.23 (101) Subiaco Oval (crowd: 6314)
Saturday, 28 April West Perth 15.19 (109) def. Claremont 12.21 (93) Leederville Oval (crowd: 6820)
Saturday, 28 April Swan Districts 13.13 (91) def. East Fremantle 12.14 (86) Bassendean Oval (crowd: 11430)
  • Subiaco score 12.5 (77) for their highest second quarter score on record,[12] but their decline after half-time sees a return to their poor form of previous seasons.[13]
  • South Fremantle’s win is the only occurrence in WA(N)FL history where the winning team has scored three fewer goals than the losing team.[14]
  • In a thrilling Grand Final preview, East Fremantle come back from 21 points down before Ed Blackaby kicks the winner for Swans.[15]

Round 6

Round 6 |
Saturday, 5 May Subiaco 15.5 (95) def. by Swan Districts 16.9 (105) Subiaco Oval (crowd: 7942)
Saturday, 5 May West Perth 15.15 (105) drew with South Fremantle 16.9 (105) Leederville Oval (crowd: 7790)
Saturday, 5 May Claremont 6.12 (48) def. by East Perth 12.15 (87) Claremont Oval (crowd: 5738)
Saturday, 5 May East Fremantle 15.22 (112) def. Perth 15.13 (103) East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 6843)

The draw at Leederville Oval was the first in 888 WA(N)FL games since Round 3 of 1974.[16] This result ended the second longest non-occurrence of draws in a major Australian Rules competition.[17]

Round 7

Round 7 |
Saturday, 12 May Swan Districts 17.15 (117) def. by West Perth 18.15 (123) Bassendean Oval (crowd: 10270)
Saturday, 12 May South Fremantle 14.24 (108) def. Subiaco 11.14 (80) Fremantle Oval (crowd: 8097)
Saturday, 12 May Perth 10.19 (79) def. by Claremont 16.14 (110) Lathlain Park (crowd: 6380)
Saturday, 12 May East Perth 23.15 (153) def. East Fremantle 14.18 (102) Subiaco Oval (crowd: 8657)

Round 8

Round 8 |
Saturday, 19 May West Perth 16.16 (112) def. Perth 11.13 (79) Subiaco Oval (crowd: 6953)
Saturday, 19 May East Perth 14.8 (92) def. by Swan Districts 21.20 (146) Perth Oval (crowd: 6930)
Saturday, 19 May Claremont 13.13 (91) def. South Fremantle 9.12 (66) Claremont Oval (crowd: 5433)
Saturday, 19 May East Fremantle 24.16 (160) def. Subiaco 10.10 (70) East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 4885)
  • East Fremantle produce an awesome display in wet weather to crush the improving Lions, with captain-coach Ron Alexander, the oldest WAFL player at the time, showing exceptional on-field direction and driving his team in the trying conditions.[18]
  • Steve Malaxos, in his first game as captain, produces an exceptional effort for the Tigers to beat the top-placed Bulldogs and move from bottom place.[19]

Round 9

Round 9 |
Saturday, 26 May Subiaco 25.15 (165) def. West Perth 15.14 (104) Subiaco Oval (crowd: 7890)
Saturday, 26 May Swan Districts 14.11 (95) def. South Fremantle 12.15 (87) Bassendean Oval (crowd: 8635)
Saturday, 26 May East Perth 13.15 (93) def. Perth 12.15 (87) Perth Oval (crowd: 4932)
Saturday, 26 May East Fremantle 11.6 (72) def. by Claremont 12.14 (86) East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 7075)

Swan Districts take top spot with a superb win in slippery conditions. Midfielder Brad Shine shows amazing courage to play after a gash in his eye.[20]

Round 10

Round 10 |
Saturday, 2 June Subiaco 32.12 (204) def. Perth 15.12 (102) Subiaco Oval (crowd: 7092)
Saturday, 2 June Swan Districts 12.12 (84) def. by Claremont 12.13 (85) Bassendean Oval (crowd: 11100)
Monday, 4 June West Perth 11.22 (88) def. East Perth 10.10 (70) Leederville Oval (crowd: 14011)
Monday, 4 June South Fremantle 24.27 (171) def. East Fremantle 15.14 (104) Fremantle Oval (crowd: 17932)
  • Claremont record a fighting win to enter the top four after being last four rounds beforehand.[21]
  • Subiaco kick their highest score in senior football to that point, beating 27.18 (180) in Round 9 of 1969 against Claremont.[22] Clint Brown kicks nine and moves to the head of the goalkicking, and Frankston recruit Stephen Sells kicks six.

Round 11

Round 11 |
Saturday, 16 June Perth 16.12 (108) def. Swan Districts 12.13 (85) Lathlain Park (crowd: 6947)
Saturday, 16 June South Fremantle 18.10 (118) def. by East Perth 18.18 (126) Fremantle Oval (crowd: 7983)
Saturday, 16 June Claremont 13.17 (95) def. by Subiaco 17.15 (117) Claremont Oval (crowd: 9161)
Saturday, 16 June West Perth 14.15 (99) def. by East Fremantle 23.13 (151) Subiaco Oval (crowd: 9451)
  • Perth record their first win against Swan Districts since 1978, breaking a sequence of seventeen straight losses.[23]
  • Subiaco kick eleven of the last twelve goals to come back for 42 points behind during he second quatrer and move to a clear third and on course for a first finals berth since 1974.[24]

Round 12

Round 12 |
Saturday, 23 June Perth 19.13 (127) def. South Fremantle 16.24 (120) Lathlain Park (crowd: 7272)
Saturday, 23 June East Perth 17.15 (117) def. Subiaco 15.15 (105) Perth Oval (crowd: 10438)
Saturday, 23 June West Perth 21.20 (146) def. Claremont 9.14 (68) Subiaco Oval (crowd: 8552)
Saturday, 23 June East Fremantle 23.12 (150) def. Swan Districts 16.18 (114) East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 8404)
  • Perth lead by sixty-nine points just after half-time before South Fremantle, with Warren Mosconi shutting out Robert Wiley, staged a remarkable comeback that failed only due to poor kicking for goal.[25]
  • East Fremantle’s win leaves the reigning premiers in sixth place, having lost more games than in all of 1983.

Round 13

Round 13 |
Saturday, 30 June Swan Districts 22.19 (151) def. Subiaco 6.10 (46) Bassendean Oval (crowd: 7100)
Saturday, 30 June West Perth 16.12 (108) def. by South Fremantle 20.17 (137) Subiaco Oval (crowd: 10496)
Saturday, 30 June East Perth 12.10 (82) def. by Claremont 19.15 (129) Perth Oval (crowd: 6990)
Saturday, 30 June Perth 11.13 (79) def. by East Fremantle 19.17 (131) Lathlain Park (crowd: 7352)
  • The return of injury prone ruckman/forward Peter Sartori drives Swans to a thrashing of Subiaco on a bleakly windy and wet day.[26]
  • With former East Perth ruckman Paul Arnold playing on with a fractured thumb, Jon Dorotich dominaten in the unfamiliar role of ruckman as South return to form.[27]

Round 14

Round 14 |
Saturday, 7 July West Perth 18.11 (119) def. Swan Districts 11.19 (85) Leederville Oval (crowd: 7146)
Saturday, 7 July Subiaco 10.17 (77) def. by South Fremantle 15.15 (105) Subiaco Oval (crowd: 6780)
Saturday, 7 July Claremont 13.17 (95) def. Perth 6.16 (52) Claremont Oval (crowd: 4197)
Saturday, 7 July East Fremantle 10.15 (75) def. East Perth 8.8 (56) East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 6465)

Round 15

Round 15 |
Saturday, 14 July West Perth 17.19 (121) def. Perth 10.13 (73) Leederville Oval (crowd: 5968)
Saturday, 14 July Swan Districts 22.18 (150) def. East Perth 18.10 (118) Bassendean Oval (crowd: 7100)
Saturday, 14 July South Fremantle 23.26 (164) def. Claremont 13.8 (86) Fremantle Oval (crowd: 8280)
Saturday, 14 July Subiaco 16.13 (109) def. by East Fremantle 22.11 (143) Subiaco Oval (crowd: 5521)
  • South Fremantle’s intense pressure, along with teenage half-forward Nicky Winmar kicking seven goals and Stephen Mount 6.8 (44) from 22 kicks, allows them to crush Claremont and stay is second place.[28]
  • Ron Alexander, normally a ruckman, kicks 9.0 at full-forward to continue Subiaco’s fall from likely finalists mid-season.

Round 16

Round 16 |
Saturday, 21 July East Perth 19.15 (129) def. West Perth 18.17 (125) Perth Oval (crowd: 8505)
Saturday, 21 July Perth 16.16 (112) def. by Subiaco 20.15 (135) Lathlain Park (crowd: 3707)
Saturday, 21 July Claremont 13.15 (93) def. by Swan Districts 25.15 (165) Subiaco Oval (crowd: 7944)
Saturday, 21 July East Fremantle 23.5 (143) def. South Fremantle 16.16 (112) East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 17433)

Round 17

Round 17 |
Saturday, 28 July West Perth 15.12 (102) def. by Subiaco 18.17 (125) Leederville Oval (crowd: 7009)
Saturday, 28 July South Fremantle 17.19 (121) def. by Swan Districts 21.15 (141) Fremantle Oval (crowd: 11918)
Saturday, 28 July Perth 24.18 (162) def. East Perth 14.16 (100) Lathlain Park (crowd: 5477)
Saturday, 28 July Claremont 19.18 (132) def. East Fremantle 15.17 (107) Subiaco Oval (crowd: 6246)
  • The use of veterans Barry Beecroft (mostly a ruckman for the reserves) and Bruce Monteath (earlier injured) in the key forward positions finally provide Claremont’s attack with its former potency as the Tigers down the ladder leaders more convincingly than the score suggests.[29]
  • Stephen Sells’ seven goals, including four brilliant second-quarter snaps, ensures Subiaco stay ahead of the Falcons in the battle for fourth place.[30]

Round 18

Round 18 |
Saturday, 4 August Perth 13.8 (86) def. by Swan Districts 21.16 (142) Subiaco Oval (crowd: 6293)
Saturday, 4 August East Perth 22.7 (139) def. South Fremantle 16.16 (112) Perth Oval (crowd: 6177)
Saturday, 4 August Claremont 15.18 (108) def. Subiaco 15.10 (100) Claremont Oval (crowd: 6675)
Saturday, 4 August East Fremantle 24.9 (153) def. West Perth 16.14 (110) East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 6456)
  • As coach Mal Brown announced he will be stepping down because his hard training methods are failing,[31] one-time flag favourites South Fremantle are reminded that talent is no substitute for strength and persistence.[32]
  • The return of utility Wayne Cormack from a holiday in Europe is a vital reinforcement for East Fremantle as they strive to seal their place in the top two.[33]

Round 19

Round 19 |
Saturday, 11 August South Fremantle 24.19 (163) def. Perth 8.10 (58) Fremantle Oval (crowd: 5050)
Saturday, 11 August Subiaco 19.10 (124) def. by East Perth 21.11 (137) Subiaco Oval (crowd: 6699)
Saturday, 11 August Claremont 11.18 (84) def. West Perth 9.20 (74) Claremont Oval (crowd: 6855)
Saturday, 11 August Swan Districts 23.15 (153) def. East Fremantle 17.14 (116) Bassendean Oval (crowd: 10103)

Gerard Neesham’s skill with had and foot plus the blistering pace of wingmen Keith Narkle and Shane Renfree give Swan Districts top place and favoritism for a hat-trick of flags with odds of 5-to-4.[34]

Round 20

Round 20 |
Saturday, 18 August Subiaco 17.21 (123) def. by Swan Districts 22.10 (142) Subiaco Oval (crowd: 6416)
Saturday, 18 August West Perth 15.16 (106) def. South Fremantle 13.16 (94) Leederville Oval (crowd: 6079)
Saturday, 18 August Claremont 15.11 (101) def. East Perth 13.16 (94) Claremont Oval (crowd: 8070)
Saturday, 18 August East Fremantle 16.14 (110) def. Perth 8.9 (57) East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 3896)

Claremont’s win seals a sixth successive finals appearance and leaves East Perth needing to rely on South Fremantle losing to gain a place, whilst Swan districts’ brilliant third quarter in slippery conditions secures the double chance.[35]

Round 21

Round 21 |
Saturday, 25 August Swan Districts 19.15 (129) def. West Perth 15.7 (97) Bassendean Oval (crowd: 9182)
Saturday, 25 August South Fremantle 9.13 (67) def. by Subiaco 18.11 (119) Fremantle Oval (crowd: 7325)
Saturday, 25 August Perth 21.17 (143) def. by Claremont 31.17 (203) Lathlain Park (crowd: 5104)
Saturday, 25 August East Perth 20.10 (130) def. East Fremantle 15.16 (106) Perth Oval (crowd: 8028)
  • South Fremantle’s second-quarter capitulation kicking 0.1 (1) to Subiaco’s 8.2 (50) - with the club under a crisis due to internal dissent, coach Brown’s resignation and Benny Vigona refusing to play in defence - allows East Perth to take the last place in the four with its win.[36]
  • Perth and Claremont scored an aggregate of 346 points. As of 2013, this is the third highest aggregate score in WA(N)FL history.[37] The second quarter aggreagte of 18.4 (112) is the second highest on record and the highest before 1990.[38]

Ladder

1984 WAFL Ladder
TEAM P W L D PF PA % PTS
1 Swan Districts 21 14 7 0 2592 2177 119.06 56
2 East Fremantle 21 13 8 0 2475 2289 108.13 52
3 Claremont 21 12 9 0 2140 2178 98.26 48
4 East Perth 21 11 10 0 2306 2518 91.58 44
5 South Fremantle 21 10 10 1 2585 2219 116.49 42
6 West Perth 21 9 11 1 2289 2444 93.66 38
7 Subiaco 21 9 12 0 2360 2374 99.41 36
8 Perth 21 5 16 0 2100 2648 79.31 20
Key: P = Played, W = Won, L = Lost, D = Drawn, PF = Points For, PA = Points Against

Finals

First Semi-Final

First Semi Final
Saturday, 1 September Claremont 23.10 (158) def. East Perth 18.18 (126) Subiaco Oval (crowd: 20,000)

Second Semi-Final

Second Semi Final
Saturday, 8 September Swan Districts 10.16 (76) def. by East Fremantle 15.12 (102) Subiaco Oval (crowd: 20,000)

East Fremantle kicked 8.6 (54) in the second quarter

Preliminary Final

Preliminary Final
Saturday, 15 September Claremont 14.9 (93) def. by Swan Districts 16.18 (114) Subiaco Oval (crowd: N/A)

Grand Final

1984 WAFL Grand Final
Saturday, 22 September East Fremantle def. by Swan Districts Subiaco Oval (Crowd: 41,831)
0.3 (3)
9.8 (62)
13.8 (86)
15.12 (102)
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final
10.7 (67)
11.8 (74)
16.12 (108)
20.18 (138)
Simpson Medal: Barry Kimberley (Swan Districts)
Taylor 4, Bennett 4, Kickett 3, Waterson 2, Wilson, Wake Goals Holmes 5, Shine 5, Hutton 5, Marshall 2, Sartori, Langsford, Neesham
Green, Ellis, Wrensted, Forman, Wilson, Rankin, Browning Best Shine, Kimberley, Johns, Neesham, Holmes, Solin, Rance, Fogarty

Swan Districts completed their second premiership hat-trick under John Todd.

References

  1. Devaney, John; Full Points Footy’s WA Football Companion; p. 278. ISBN 9780955689710
  2. Warren Ralph: Blueseum
  3. 3.0 3.1 Wainwright, Robert; “Ward Turns the Table on Tigers”; in The West Australian, 16 April 1984; p. 72
  4. Christian, Geoff; “Chips Are Down for the Tigers”; in The West Australian, 9 April 1984, p. 76
  5. “League Says No to VFL TV”; in The West Australian, 9 July 1984, p. 96
  6. “Thumbs Up at Bunbury”; in The West Australian, 2 April 1984; p. 87
  7. Christina, Geoff; “Royals Turn Up Trumps”; in The West Austrialian, 2 April 1984; pp. 85, 87
  8. WAFL Footy Facts: East Perth v Each Opponent
  9. Marsh, David; “Thoroughly Modern Royals”; in The West Australian, 9 April 1984, p. 76
  10. Christian, Geoff; “Individuals Get Tigers Moving at Last”; in The West Australian, 23 April 1984, p. 80
  11. East Perth: Biggest losses
  12. WAFL Footy Facts: Most Points in Second Quarter (One Team)
  13. Casellas, Ken; “Subiaco Have a Lot to Learn”; in The West Australian, 30 April 1984, p. 75
  14. WAFL Footy Facts: Wins With Less Goals
  15. Christian, Geoff; “Sharks in the Mood”; in The West Australian, 30 April 1984, p. 76
  16. See Christian Geoff; “Wiley Has a Knee Injury”; in The West Australian, 7 May 1984, p. 84
  17. See Newman, Alan; “Drawn Game”; in “Port Club’s Pennant Hopes Rise”; from The West Australian, 9 September 1957, p. 21
  18. Wainwright, Robert; “Alexander Answers His Critics in Style”; in The West Australian, 21 May 1984, p. 81
  19. Casellas, Ken; “Malaxos Relished Challenge”; in The West Australian, 21 May 1984, p. 80
  20. Christian Geoff; “Swans Resist Brave South Challenge”; in The West Australian, 28 May 1984, p. 66
  21. Christian, Geoff; “Claremont’s Win a Triumph for Moss”; in The West Australian; 4 June 1984, p. 78
  22. Subiaco: Highest Scores
  23. WAFL Footy Facts: Perth Streaks
  24. Christian, Geoff; “Subiaco Turn On Their Full Power”; in The West Australian, 18 June 1984, p. 80
  25. Casellas, Ken; “Michael Faces Moment of Truth”; in The West Australian;25 June 1984, p. 68
  26. Wainwright, Robert; “Sartori Returns with a Flourish”; in The West Australian, 2 July 1984, p. 79
  27. Casellas, Ken; “Dorotich Makes Mark as a Ruckman” in The West Australian, 2 July 1984, p. 79
  28. Marsh, Dave; “South Give Their Fans a Winning Treat”; in The West Australian; 16 July 1984, p. 80
  29. Casellas, Ken; “Claremont Keep Hopes Alive”; The West Australian, 30 July 1984, p. 69
  30. Wainwright, Robert; “Opportunity Knocks for Subiaco”; The West Australian, 30 July 1984, p. 69
  31. Marsh, David; “Baffled Brown Hands Over Reins”; The West Australian, 6 August 1984, p. 80
  32. Marsh, David; “Royals Have Perfect Blend”; The West Australian, 6 August 1984, p. 74
  33. Casellas, Ken; “Cormack slips Back into Gear for Sharks”; The West Australian, 6 August 1984, p. 74
  34. Casellas, Ken; “Swans Fly to the Top”; The West Australian, 13 August 1984, p. 94
  35. Marsh, David; “Royals Up Against It”; The West Australian, 20 August 1984, p. 76
  36. Christian, Geoff; “Claremont Face Poser”; The West Australian, 27 August 1984, p. 76
  37. WAFL Footy Facts: Highest Combined Scores
  38. WAFL Footy Facts: Most Combined Points Second Quarter

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