The 1945 WANFL season was the sixty-first season of the various incarnations of the Western Australian National Football League.
During the 1944 season, participation had been restricted to players under nineteen as of October 1, 1944. After the season, it was clear to the WANFL that changes had to be made to this underage restriction,[1] since the Over-Age Footballers Association, the Metal Trades Association and services competitions were developing a good standard from players who were too old to play league football.[2] In October 1944, the WANFL agreed to raise the limit to 25 years of age as of December 31, 1945,[3] but this move proved ill-received and on March 29 the League decided to abolish age restrictions altogether, returning the WANFL to open-age competition.[4] There was concern that the erratic availability of players who were still in the services would cause difficulties,[5] which meant that the seconds competition, which was disbanded after 1940, was not resumed.
Numerous famous players of the era – amongst them Merv McIntosh and Bernie Naylor – remained entirely unavailable due to war service, and all clubs had to make constant changes to their lineups.[6] It was generally thought that the 1945 teams would largely be composed of under-age players from 1944, but this proved not to be the case as most either joined the military or proved uncompetitive in senior competition. East Perth, whose unbeaten under-age team of 1944 retained many more of its players than any other club,[7] found the going very tough in open competition and fell to sixth. Owing to the return of numerous top players from its 1941 team, including “Scranno” Jenkins, “Corp” Reilly, Alby Higham and Harry Carbon, South Fremantle, whose restricted-age team had at the close of 1944 lost 24 consecutive matches by an average of ninety-six points,[8] recovered in remarkable fashion to reach the Grand Final.
Claremont was forced to play home games at Subiaco and the W.A.C.A. due to the 1944 Claremont Oval fire[2] and the fact that the Claremont Showgrounds, which would ordinarily have become an alternative Tiger home venue, were themselves burned in a fire in January 1945,[9] finishing last by six games. East Fremantle and West Perth, who contested the previous open-age Grand Final, against set the pace, but Old Easts dominated the latter part of the season and won the premiership.
A new innovation was the Simpson Medal, the first award in Australian sport for the best player in a Grand Final.
Home-and-away Season
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Round 4
Round 5
Round 6
Round 7
Round 8
Round 9
Round 10
Round 11
Round 12
Round 13
Round 14
Round 15
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Round 15 |
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| Saturday, 11 August (2:45 pm) |
West Perth 11.10 (76) |
def. by |
South Fremantle 13.16 (94) |
Leederville Oval |
[74]
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| Saturday, 11 August (2:45 pm) |
Swan Districts 10.20 (80) |
def. |
East Perth 8.7 (55) |
Bassendean Oval |
[75]
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| Saturday, 11 August (2:45 pm) |
Perth 17.33 (135) |
def. |
Claremont 1.3 (9) |
WACA |
[76]
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| Saturday, 11 August (2:45 pm) |
Subiaco 11.5 (71) |
def. by |
East Fremantle 12.15 (87) |
Subiaco Oval |
[77]
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- Perth’s win over Claremont set several records:
- It remains the equal-lowest score in the WA(N)FL since Subiaco kicked 1.2 (8) against East Perth in 1920 – being equalled by East Perth in 2003.[78]
- It remains Claremont’s lowest-ever score in the WANFL, with the previous lowest being 2.10 (22) against West Perth in 1935.[79]
- It was the first time since East Perth against West Perth in 1913 than a senior WA(N)FL team failed to score in the first half.
- Perth’s 33 behinds was the most since East Fremantle’s record 41 against Midland Junction in 1917 and is still the equal second-most in league history.[80]
- Swan Districts came from 21 points behind to defeat East Perth, after kicking twelve consecutive behinds between the midpoints of the first and last quarters. It is the last time a WA(N)FL team has won without scoring any goals in the second and third quarters.
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Round 16
Round 17
Round 18
Round 19
Round 20
Ladder
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| | TEAM | P | W | L | D | PF | PA | % | PTS |
| 1 | East Fremantle | 20 | 16 | 4 | 0 | 2149 | 1400 | 153.50% | 64 |
| 2 | West Perth | 20 | 14 | 6 | 0 | 1777 | 1549 | 114.72% | 56 |
| 3 | South Fremantle | 20 | 12 | 8 | 0 | 1812 | 1749 | 103.60% | 48 |
| 4 | Swan Districts | 20 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 1648 | 1540 | 107.01% | 40 |
| 5 | Subiaco | 20 | 9 | 11 | 0 | 1532 | 1558 | 98.33% | 36 |
| 6 | East Perth | 20 | 9 | 11 | 0 | 1498 | 1585 | 94.51% | 36 |
| 7 | Perth | 20 | 8 | 12 | 0 | 1512 | 1617 | 93.51% | 32 |
| 8 | Claremont | 20 | 2 | 18 | 0 | 1272 | 2202 | 57.77% | 8 |
| Key: P = Played, W = Won, L = Lost, D = Drawn, PF = Points For, PA = Points Against |
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Finals
First Semi Final
Second Semi Final
Preliminary Final
Grand Final
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1945 WANFL Grand Final |
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| Saturday, 13 October (2:45 pm) |
East Fremantle |
def. |
South Fremantle |
Subiaco Oval (Crowd: 21,000) |
[104] |
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2.2 (14)
5.6 (36)
6.10 (46)
12.15 (87) |
Q1
Q2
Q3
Final |
4.6 (30)
4.6 (30)
6.9 (45)
7.9 (51) |
Umpires: Leo McComish
Simpson Medal: Alan Ebbs (East Fremantle)
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| Meiers 3, McDonald 3, George Doig 2, French, Prince, Alan Ebbs, Strang |
Goals |
Marsh 3, Reilly 2, Lewington, Lyon |
| Strang, Gabrielson, Alan Ebbs, Mann, Soltoggio, McDonald, Garrity, French |
Best |
“Scranno” Jenkins, Reilly, Marsh, Carbon, Erikson, Graham, Brown |
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References
- ↑ ‘Football: The Age Limit – Prospects for Future’; The West Australian, 25 October 1944, p. 3
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Casey, Kevin (1995); The Tigers’ Tale: the origins and history of the Claremont Football Club; Claremont Football Club; pp. 55-56. ISBN 0646264982
- ↑ ‘Football: The Age Limit – League Agrees to Extension’; The West Australian, 26 October 1944, p. 2
- ↑ ‘League Football – An Open Competition: Decision for 1945 Season’; The West Australian, 23 March 1945, p. 2
- ↑ ‘Large training Lists – Second Competition Needed’; The West Australian, 16 April 1945, p. 3
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Spillman, Ken; Diehards: The Story of the Subiaco Football Club 1896-1945; p. 171 ISBN 0-646-35834-0
- ↑ ‘Football Season: A Difficult Period – Some Innovations Suggested’; The West Australian, 18 October 1945, p. 2
- ↑ WAFL Footy Facts: Consecutive Games Lost
- ↑ ‘Showgrounds Fire: Public Stand Gutted – Handicap to Society’; The West Australian, 6 January 1945, p. 6
- ↑ ‘East Fremantle’s Big Margin’; The West Australian, 7 May 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Claremont’s Stubborn Resistance’; The West Australian, 7 May 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Better Teamwork’; The West Australian, 7 May 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘A Good Recovery’; The West Australian, 7 May 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Football Season Opens’; The West Australian, 7 May 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘South Fremantle Wins’; The West Australian, 14 May 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘West Perth’s Good Finish’; The West Australian, 14 May 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Perth Surprised’; The West Australian, 14 May 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Second Quarter Burst’; The West Australian, 14 May 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘A Matter of Tactics’; The West Australian, 21 May 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘A Fast Game’; The West Australian, 21 May 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Wilkinson Kicks Nine Goals’; The West Australian, 21 May 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘East Fremantle Too Strong’; The West Australian, 21 May 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Last-Quarter Burst’; The West Australian, 28 May 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Perth’s Small Margin’; The West Australian, 28 May 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Claremont Improves’; The West Australian, 28 May 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘A Fine Display’; The West Australian, 28 May 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Greater Confidence’; The West Australian, 4 June 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Superior Weight’; The West Australian, 4 June 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Swan Districts’ Stamina’; The West Australian, 4 June 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Bustling Tactics’; The West Australian, 4 June 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Perth’s Good Tactics’; The West Australian, 11 June 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘East Perth’s Second Win’; The West Australian, 11 June 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Sound Methods’; The West Australian, 11 June 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Disabilities Overcome’; The West Australian, 11 June 1945, p. 3
- ↑ 35.0 35.1 Perth Regional Office (009034) June 1945 rainfall
- ↑ Subiaco: Lowest Scores
- ↑ ‘Subiaco’s Strong Rucks’; The West Australian, 18 June 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Perth Misses Heusler’; The West Australian, 18 June 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘South Fremantle Wins’; The West Australian, 18 June 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘East Fremantle Again’; The West Australian, 18 June 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘All-Round Strength’; The West Australian, 25 June 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Exciting Finish’; The West Australian, 25 June 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Perth’s Weak Team’; The West Australian, 25 June 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Subiaco Fails’; The West Australian, 25 June 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Floods Make Football History’; the Daily News, 22 June 1945, p. 8
- ↑ ‘West Perth’s Pace’; The West Australian, 2 July 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘The Art of Scoring’; The West Australian, 2 July 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Perth Finishes Weakly’; The West Australian, 2 July 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Strong Centre Line’; The West Australian, 2 July 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘South Wins Narrowly’; The West Australian, 9 July 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘An Even Side’; The West Australian, 9 July 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Subiaco in Form’; The West Australian, 9 July 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Scales Against Perth’; The West Australian, 9 July 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘League Football: Demonstration Against Umpire’; ; The West Australian, 9 July 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘West Perth’s Strong Finish’; The West Australian, 16 July 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Poor Forward Play’; The West Australian, 16 July 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘East Perth Wins’; The West Australian, 16 July 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘South’s All-Round Strength’; The West Australian, 16 July 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘A Dismal Failure’ The West Australian, 23 July 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘East Perth’s Good Reserves’ The West Australian, 23 July 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Strong Second Quarter’ The West Australian, 23 July 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Lacked a Forward’; The West Australian, 23 July 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Refusal of Permit – Football Dispute: Decision on Carbon Case’; The West Australian, 19 July 1945, p. 2
- ↑ ‘The Carbon Case: South Fremantle’s Appeal Upheld’; The West Australian, 21 July 1945, p. 5
- ↑ ‘Perth’s Improved Display’; The West Australian, 30 July 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Disappointing Game’; The West Australian, 30 July 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘An Easy Win’; The West Australian, 30 July 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Good Finishing Effort’; The West Australian, 30 July 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Subiaco Unbalanced’; The West Australian, 6 August 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Perth’s Strong Backs’; The West Australian, 6 August 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘A Slow Start’; The West Australian, 6 August 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Systematic Display’; The West Australian, 6 August 1945, p. 3
- ↑ Perth Regional Office (009034) August 1945 rainfall
- ↑ ‘Bustling Tactics’; The West Australian, 13 August 1945, p. 9
- ↑ ‘A Strong Finish’; The West Australian, 13 August 1945, p. 9
- ↑ ‘Perth v Claremont at W.A.C.A.’; The Daily News; 11 August 1945, p. 11
- ↑ ‘East Fremantle Too Strong’; The West Australian, 13 August 1945, p. 9
- ↑ West Australian Football League: Lowest Scores
- ↑ Claremont: Lowest Scores
- ↑ WAFL Footy Facts: Most Behinds
- ↑ ‘Below Premiership Standard’; The West Australian, 20 August 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘East Perth’s Mistakes’; The West Australian, 20 August 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘A Close Finish’; The West Australian, 20 August 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Claremont’s Poor Team’; The West Australian, 20 August 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Changes Bring Success’; The West Australian, 27 August 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Centre Line Superiority’; The West Australian, 27 August 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Wilkinson Stands a Test’; The West Australian, 27 August 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Not Good Enough’; The West Australian, 27 August 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Short Game Overdone’; The West Australian, 3 September 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Remarkable Game’; The West Australian, 3 September 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘East Perth Untroubled’; The West Australian, 3 September 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Last Quarter Burst’; The West Australian, 3 September 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Last-Minute Changes’; The West Australian, 10 September 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘A Strong Finish’; The West Australian, 10 September 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Big Tally of Points’; The West Australian, 10 September 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘West Perth’s Poor Showing’; The West Australian, 10 September 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Swan Districts in the Four: A Gruelling Game’; The West Australian, 17 September 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘West Perth v Perth’; The Daily News, 15 September 1945, p. 9
- ↑ ‘South Fremantle v Claremont’; The Daily News, 15 September 1945, p. 9
- ↑ ‘East Perth v East Fremantle’; The Daily News, 15 September 1945, p. 9
- ↑ ‘Swan Districts’ Forwards Fail – South Fremantle Wins Hard Game’; The West Australian, 24 September 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Disappointing Semi-Final – West Perth Outclassed in Poor Game’; The West Australian, 1 October 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Tame Finish in League Final – South Too Strong’; The West Australian, 8 October 1945, p. 3
- ↑ ‘East’s Premiership: Stirring Grand Final – South Fails in Great Fight’
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