1944 WANFL season
The 1944 WANFL season was the 60th season of the various incarnations of the Western Australian National Football League. Consequent upon the improved fortunes of the Allies in the Pacific War,[1] the league’s decision to restrict football to those under nineteen as of 1 October become somewhat controversial, but the WANFL after much debate during the early weeks of the season decided it would not raise the age limit or even as West Perth suggested allow four 1943 players over the limit to play.[2] This meant that a large number of players who had been mainstays in the 1942 and 1943 seasons were no longer eligible to play, and as in 1943 a number of players still eligible were erratically available due to service in the war.
The 1944 season is notable for the first perfect season in the history of Western Australian league football, by East Perth. Under the coaching of former forward Cecil Rowland an exceptionally powerful core of players was developed from 1942 and 1943 mainstays including Frank Allen, Ken Wimbridge, Ray Perry, John “Todge” Campbell and Ron Brentnall, joined by outstanding talents in full-forward Alan Watts, key position player Jim Washbourne and injury-plagued but talented rover Norm Gibbney.[3] So well-equipped were the Royals that they did not suffer during the finals from the loss of best-and-fairest Campbell, ruckman Brentnall and Ron Frankish – instead fitting Northam defender Jack Leadbitter and Wesley rover Ernie England for their only games of the season and losing nothing in efficiency.[3] At the other end of the ladder, South Fremantle, already last in 1943, lost their only class players in Frank Treasure and Erik Eriksson and became the first team since Midland Junction in 1917 to lose every match. The red and whites in fact never led during the second half in any of their nineteen matches, and officials were so desperate that a meeting of former players was called mid-season to revive the club’s on-field fortunes[4] – to no effect.
Apart from South Fremantle’s winless season, Claremont suffered a huge loss when Claremont Oval, which had been their home ground since 1927, had its grandstand completely burnt down in a fire at 5:11 a.m. on 28 July.[5] In the fire, which was estimated to have cost a total of £3000, all the records, jerseys and training equipment were lost,[1] and Claremont were forced to play home matches at Subiaco Oval and the W.A.C.A. until 1948,[a] despite financial donations by Collingwood to help rebuild the grandstand.[6] The Tigers had to take the field in several games wearing East Perth guernseys, and suffered from the loss of key players such as Robin Farmer, consequently falling to second-last on the ladder.
Home-and-away Season
Round 1
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Round 1 |
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Saturday, 13 May (2:45 pm) |
Swan Districts 6.17 (53) |
def. by |
Perth 8.18 (66) |
Subiaco Oval |
[7]
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Saturday, 13 May (2:45 pm) |
East Perth 41.30 (276) |
def. |
South Fremantle 3.2 (20) |
Perth Oval |
[8]
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Saturday, 13 May (2:45 pm) |
East Fremantle 16.19 (115) |
def. |
Claremont 5.4 (34) |
Fremantle Oval |
[9]
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Saturday, 13 May (2:45 pm) |
West Perth 9.16 (70) |
def. |
Swan Districts 10.6 (66) |
Leederville Oval |
[10]
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East Perth’s mammoth win sets numerous records:
- The biggest winning margin in WA(N)FL history, beating North Fremantle’s 164-point win over Subiaco from 1902.[11]
- The highest score in WANFL history, beating Claremont’s 33.22 (220) against Swan Districts in 1940.[12]
- The most points in the first quarter of a WANFL match – a record beaten later in the season.[13]
- South Fremantle become the first WA(N)FL team to lose three consecutive games by over 100 points – an ignominy they would suffer twice further this season but which no other club would equal until 1958.[14]
- Alan Watts kicked sixteen goals for East Perth, which remains a record for the Royals in any match,[15] and forward pocket Harry Outridge and “Todge” Campbell kicked eight apiece.
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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
Round 16
Round 17
Round 18
Round 19
Ladder
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| TEAM | P | W | L | D | PF | PA | % | PTS |
1 | East Perth | 19 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 2061 | 948 | 217.41% | 76 |
2 | East Fremantle | 19 | 14 | 5 | 0 | 1633 | 1233 | 132.44% | 56 |
3 | West Perth | 19 | 12 | 7 | 0 | 1537 | 1276 | 120.45% | 48 |
4 | Perth | 19 | 10 | 9 | 0 | 1371 | 1322 | 103.71% | 40 |
5 | Subiaco | 19 | 8 | 11 | 0 | 1503 | 1195 | 125.77% | 32 |
6 | Swan Districts | 19 | 7 | 12 | 0 | 1429 | 1374 | 104.00% | 28 |
7 | Claremont | 19 | 6 | 13 | 0 | 1276 | 1638 | 77.90% | 24 |
8 | South Fremantle | 19 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 709 | 2533 | 27.99% | 0 |
Key: P = Played, W = Won, L = Lost, D = Drawn, PF = Points For, PA = Points Against |
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Finals
First Semi-Final
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First Semi-Final |
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Saturday, 23 September (2:45 pm) |
West Perth 7.21 (63) |
drew with |
Perth 9.9 (63) |
Subiaco Oval (crowd: 7,000) |
[93]
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West Perth’s early inaccuracy keeps the Redlegs in a match that culminates in a thrilling struggle where the lead changes several times in the last few minutes before finishing in a tie. |
First Semi-Final Replay
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First Semi-Final Replay |
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Saturday, 30 September (2:45 pm) |
West Perth 5.7 (37) |
def. by |
Perth 8.13 (61) |
Subiaco Oval (crowd: 8,000) |
[94]
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A brilliant last quarter into the wind, whereby the Cardinals are held scoreless, gives Perth a comfortable win in a third successive battle with West Perth. |
Second Semi-Final
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Second Semi-Final |
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Saturday, 7 October (2:45 pm) |
East Perth 14.8 (92) |
def. |
East Fremantle 9.20 (74) |
Subiaco Oval |
[95]
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With a more efficient forward line, and a defence bolstered by Northam recruit Jack Leadbitter, East Perth win their twentieth consecutive match for the season. |
Preliminary Final
Grand Final
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Grand Final |
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Saturday, 21 October (2:45 pm) |
East Perth 14.13 (97) |
def. |
East Fremantle 4.17 (41) |
Subiaco Oval (crowd: 8,991) |
[97]
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East Perth complete a flawless season with a convincing win driven by overwhelming ruck superiority and polished flawed play that contrasts with East Fremantle’s 2.13 (25) – including ten consecutive behinds – in the first half. |
Notes
a The Claremont Showgrounds, which would ordinarily have been available as an alternative Tiger home venue, were commandeered by the military between 1940 and 1944, and themselves burned in a fire in January 1945.[98]
References
- 1 2 3 Casey, Kevin (1995); The Tigers’ Tale: the origins and history of the Claremont Football Club; Claremont Football Club; pp. 55-56. ISBN 0646264982
- ↑ ‘Football: Age-Limit Question – League President’s Views’; The West Australian, 19 May 1944, p. 2
- 1 2 East, Alan (editor); The Royals – 100 Years of Tradition: A History of the East Perth Football Club; pp. 54-57. Published 2006 by East Perth Football Club, Limited
- ↑ See ‘Easy Task for E. Perth’; The Daily News, 30 June 1944, p.9
- 1 2 ‘Claremont Fire – Oval Grandstand Lost: Football Club Suffers’; The West Australian, 29 July 1944, p. 3
- ↑ ‘Collingwood Sends Cheque to Claremont’; The Daily News, 19 August 1944, p. 4
- ↑ ‘Perth Beat Subiaco’; The Daily News, 13 May 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘Huge Score by East Perth’; The Daily News, 13 May 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘East Fremantle Trounce Claremont’; The Daily News, 13 May 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘Wests Win Narrowly’; The Daily News, 13 May 1944, p. 7
- ↑ West Australian Football League: Biggest Wins
- ↑ West Australian Football League: Highest Scores
- ↑ WAFL Footy Facts: Quarters and Halves
- 1 2 3 WAFL Footy Facts: Consecutive Losses by 100+
- ↑ WAFL Footy Facts: East Perth v Each Opponent
- ↑ ‘East Perth Win a Great Game’; The Daily News, 20 May 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘Old Easts Win Well’; The Daily News, 20 May 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘South Overwhelmed’; The Daily News, 20 May 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘Subiaco Best Claremont’; The Daily News, 20 May 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘Claremont’s Last Quarter Win’; The Daily News, 27 May 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘South Downed Again’; The Daily News, 27 May 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘Forwards Get E. Perth Home’; The Daily News, 27 May 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘Old Easts Badly Beaten’; The Daily News, 27 May 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘Wests Recover to Win’; The Daily News, 3 June 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘Swan Down Perth’; The Daily News, 3 June 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘E. Perth Still Unbeaten’; The Daily News, 3 June 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘South Improve’; The Daily News, 3 June 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘Tonkinson 11 Goals’; The Daily News, 10 June 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘Claremont’s Dash’; The Daily News, 10 June 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘E. Perth Win Fluctuating Game’; The Daily News, 10 June 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘Old Easts Beat West in Exciting Game’; The Daily News, 10 June 1944, p. 7
- ↑ Subiaco: Highest Scores
- ↑ ‘Old Easts Again Win’; The Daily News, 17 June 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘East Perth Pushed Hard to Beat Suby’; The Daily News, 17 June 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘W. Perth Swamp Claremont’; The Daily News, 17 June 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘Perth’s Runaway Win’; The Daily News, 17 June 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘Old Easts’ Brilliant, Futile Rally’; The Daily News, 24 June 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘W. Perth’s Solid Win’; The Daily News, 24 June 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘Close Game’; The Daily News, 24 June 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘Mont Romp Over South’; The Daily News, 24 June 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘Swans Win Well in Bad Weather’; The Daily News, 1 July 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘Mont, Old Easts Nearly Level’; The Daily News, 1 July 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘Perth Beat Suby Again’; The Daily News, 1 July 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘E. Perth’s Big Margin’; The Daily News, 1 July 1944, p. 7
- ↑ Perth Regional Office (009034) July 1944 rainfall
- 1 2 3 West Australian Football League: Lowest Scores
- ↑ ‘South Beaten Again’; The Daily News, 8 July 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘East Perth Fortress Still Intact’; The Daily News, 8 July 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘Subiaco Eclipse ‘Mont’; The Daily News, 8 July 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘Perth’s Belated Comeback’; The Daily News, 8 July 1944, p. 7
- ↑ Swan Districts: Lowest Scores Conceded
- ↑ ‘South 114 Points Behind’; The Daily News, 15 July 1944, p. 6
- ↑ ‘Old Easts Home by a Point’; The Daily News, 15 July 1944, p. 6
- ↑ ‘Unbeaten East Perth Just Squeeze Home’; The Daily News, 15 July 1944, p. 6
- ↑ ‘Perth’s Hard Win’; The Daily News, 15 July 1944, p. 6
- ↑ ‘E. Perth, 11th Win’; The Daily News, 22 July 1944, p. 6
- ↑ ‘Perth Win Well’; The Daily News, 22 July 1944, p. 6
- ↑ ‘West Perth Snatch Win in Hard Game’; The Daily News, 22 July 1944, p. 6
- ↑ ‘South Do Better’; The Daily News, 22 July 1944, p. 6
- ↑ ‘Subiaco Wins Easily’; The Daily News, 29 July 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘East Fremantle Defeat W. Perth’; The Daily News, 29 July 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘Claremont Lose to Swans’; The Daily News, 29 July 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘East Perth Still Unbeaten’; The Daily News, 29 July 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘Suby Lead E. Perth in Last Quarter’; The Daily News, 5 August 1944, p. 6
- ↑ ‘East’s Hard Win’; The Daily News, 5 August 1944, p. 6
- ↑ ‘Close Game’; The Daily News, 5 August 1944, p. 6
- ↑ ‘South Try Again’; The Daily News, 5 August 1944, p. 6
- ↑ See WAFL Footy Facts: East Perth – Consecutive Games Won
- ↑ ‘East Perth Maintain Their Football Lead’; The Daily News, 12 August 1944, p. 6
- ↑ ‘Swans Beat Subiaco’; The Daily News, 12 August 1944, p. 6
- ↑ ‘Perth Beaten’; The Daily News, 12 August 1944, p. 6
- ↑ ‘South Overwhelmed’; The Daily News, 12 August 1944, p. 6
- ↑ ‘Old Easts Win’; The Daily News, 19 August 1944, p. 6
- ↑ ‘Perth Win Bid for Final Four’; The Daily News, 19 August 1944, p. 6
- ↑ ‘West Perth Squeeze Home’; The Daily News, 19 August 1944, p. 6
- ↑ ‘East Perth Ease Up’; The Daily News, 19 August 1944, p. 6
- ↑ ‘East Perth Win Easily’; The Daily News, 26 August 1944, p. 6
- ↑ ‘South Beaten Again’; The Daily News, 26 August 1944, p. 6
- ↑ ‘Subiaco Just Beaten’; The Daily News, 26 August 1944, p. 6
- ↑ ‘Claremont’s Bad Luck’; The Daily News, 26 August 1944, p. 6
- ↑ ‘Suby Out’; The Daily News, 2 September 1944, p. 6
- ↑ ‘Swans Fight Hard, but Lose’; The Daily News, 2 September 1944, p. 6
- ↑ ‘East Perth’s Big Win’; The Daily News, 2 September 1944, p. 6
- ↑ ‘Old Easts’ 228 Points’; The Daily News, 2 September 1944, p. 6
- ↑ ‘E. Fremantle Just Keep W. Perth Out’; The Daily News, 9 September 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘South 7 Goals’; The Daily News, 9 September 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘Swans Win Easily’; The Daily News, 9 September 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘E. Perth Prove Supremacy’; The Daily News, 9 September 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘South Still to Win’; The Daily News, 16 September 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘Perth Beat West Perth’; The Daily News, 16 September 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘Campbell Club Goal Record Beaten’; The Daily News, 16 September 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘Subiaco Win Handsomely’; The Daily News, 16 September 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘Perth, W. Perth Tie in 1st Semi-Final’; The Daily News, 23 September 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘Perth Win Semi-Final’; The Daily News, 30 September 1944, p. 7
- ↑ ‘E. Perth Forwards Sustain Record’; The Daily News, 7 October 1944, p. 15
- ↑ ‘Old Easts Win League Final’; The Daily News, 14 October 1944, p. 15
- ↑ ‘E. Perth Premiers’; The Daily News, 21 October 1944, p. 15
- ↑ ‘Showgrounds Fire: Public Stand Gutted – Handicap to Society’; The West Australian, 6 January 1945, p. 6
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