1980 WAFL season
The 1980 WAFL season was the 96th season of the West Australian Football League in its various incarnations.
The season saw the league drop the word ‘national’ from its official name for the first time in fifty years, reverting to the title in use from 1908 to 1930. It also saw reigning premiers East Fremantle embark on the most rapid slide by any reigning premier since Subiaco went from first to last in 1916. Handicapped by the loss of Mario Turco to North Melbourne and Doug Green to retirement, along with injuries to Jim Sewell, Graham Carter, Swan Districts recruit Mark Olsen and Rod Lester-Smith and form lapses by Tony Buhagiar and Ian Thomson,[1] the blue and whites also lost classy Essendon recruit Darren “Daisy” Williams who returned to Victoria for personal reasons after two matches.[2] Old Easts were to win only five matches all season, and were in danger of their first wooden spoon for eighty-two years before a win in their penultimate game put them safely ahead of Subiaco, who had another disastrous season plagued by financial problems whereby calls to “Save Subi” were opposed by calls from opponents to “Flog Subi”,[3] leading to the worst record by any WA(N)FL club for twelve seasons.
In contrast, Swan Districts had the best start to a WAFL season for twenty-one years, winning their first thirteen matches and gaining a $2000 bonus from Marlboro for winning their first twelve – with a further $200 if they could achieve a perfect home-and-away season.[4] Swans were overpowered at the “business end” by the Mal Brown-coached South Fremantle, who were unbeaten apart from a five-game slump between the fifth and ninth rounds. The Bulldogs’ play late in the season is regarded as some of the finest ever seen in the WAFL, a claim substantiated by their thrashing top VFL club Carlton by 91 points in Escort Championships during March[5] – easily the biggest win by a non-VFL club therein and in fact the biggest loss by a VFL club until the AFC Night Series was restricted thereto.[6]
Home-and-away season
Round 1 (Easter Weekend)
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Round 1 |
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Saturday, 5 April |
Subiaco 8.9 (57) |
def. by |
West Perth 17.16 (118) |
Subiaco Oval (crowd: 9148) |
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Saturday, 5 April |
South Fremantle 23.23 (161) |
def. |
Perth 16.21 (117) |
Fremantle Oval (crowd: 11128) |
[1]
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Monday, 7 April |
Claremont 11.17 (83) |
def. by |
East Perth 13.13 (91) |
Claremont Oval (crowd: 15066) |
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Monday, 7 April |
Swan Districts 24.17 (161) |
def. |
East Fremantle 6.14 (50) |
Bassendean Oval (crowd: 14906) |
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- Mal Brown’s skill in moving rover Noel Carter to the centre and the inexperienced Ross Swetman onto Bosustow ensures South Fremantle fight back after having had only three scoring shots to sixteen late in the opening quarter.[7]
- In their first game after the 1979 premiership, East Fremantle suffer the worst loss to that point in their history - an ominous sign for the season but a record comprehensively beaten the following year.[8] Craig Holden holds 1979 leading goalkicker Kevin Taylor to 0.2 (2).
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Round 2
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Round 2 |
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Saturday, 12 April |
West Perth 15.11 (101) |
def. by |
South Fremantle 15.18 (108) |
Leederville Oval (crowd: 11755) |
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Saturday, 12 April |
East Perth 19.10 (124) |
def. by |
Swan Districts 21.20 (146) |
Perth Oval (crowd: 17,490) |
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Saturday, 12 April |
East Fremantle 15.21 (111) |
def. by |
Claremont 24.14 (158) |
East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 9556) |
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Saturday, 12 April |
Perth 27.20 (182) |
def. |
Subiaco 12.10 (82) |
Lathlain Park (crowd: 5784) |
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- Swan Districts show their maturity by warding off two major challenges from East Perth – who take the lead during their third quarter and get within eight points halfway through the last – owing to a superb roving division lead by Neesham and Mike Richardson.[9]
- The playing of Peake at centre half-forward does not help East Fremantle as their star has only four possessions before being moved into the centre and Claremont build up a lead they easily maintain.[10]
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Round 3
Round 4
Round 5
Round 6
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Round 6 |
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Saturday, 10 May |
Claremont 28.15 (183) |
def. |
Subiaco 14.11 (95) |
Claremont Oval (crowd: 5613) |
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Saturday, 10 May |
East Fremantle 16.16 (112) |
def. by |
Perth 22.11 (143) |
East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 7420) |
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Saturday, 10 May |
Swan Districts 27.20 (182) |
def. |
West Perth 8.8 (56) |
Bassendean Oval (crowd: 22350) |
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Saturday, 10 May |
East Perth 21.12 (138) |
def. |
South Fremantle 18.8 (116) |
Perth Oval (crowd: 10857) |
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- In front of the biggest-ever crowd at Bassendean and Swans’ biggest home-and-away attendance at any venue,[19] Swan Districts become the second team after West Perth in 1941 to win consecutive matches by over 100 points.[20]
- An all-in-brawl leads to four reports for Subiaco half-forward Frank Bucknall[21] who gets six matches on one of the busiest nights for the WAFL Tribunal with seven players on report.[22]
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Round 7
Round 8
Round 9 (Foundation Day)
Round 10
Round 11
Round 12
Round 13
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Round 13 |
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Saturday, 28 June |
Subiaco 12.16 (88) |
def. by |
Claremont 29.20 (194) |
Subiaco Oval (crowd: 6640) |
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Saturday, 28 June |
Perth 25.19 (169) |
def. |
East Fremantle 20.19 (139) |
Lathlain Park (crowd: 5926) |
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Saturday, 28 June |
West Perth 17.11 (113) |
def. by |
Swan Districts 16.19 (115) |
Leederville Oval (crowd: 15847) |
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Saturday, 28 June |
South Fremantle 24.18 (162) |
def. |
East Perth 10.14 (74) |
Fremantle Oval (crowd: 11526) |
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- Swan Districts win their eighteenth consecutive match dating back to late 1979, the best opening to a WAFL season since East Perth won the first seventeen in 1959[39]
- West Perth suffer the first of three heartbreaking losses for that cost them a finals berth, as Swans’ superb fighting qualities see them win after being behind all afternoon.[40]
- Despite East Fremantle kicking 9.10 (64) in the final quarter, Perth’s wingers Cam Shepherd and Alan Johnson had inflicted too much damage for the reigning premiers.[41]
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Round 14
Round 15
Round 16
Round 17
Round 18
Round 19
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Round 19 |
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Saturday, 16 August |
Subiaco 19.17 (131) |
def. by |
Swan Districts 26.14 (170) |
Subiaco Oval (crowd: 5027) |
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Saturday, 16 August |
Perth 10.9 (69) |
def. by |
East Perth 22.13 (145) |
Lathlain Park (crowd: 6817) |
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Saturday, 16 August |
South Fremantle 17.16 (118) |
def. |
Claremont 17.12 (114) |
Fremantle Oval (crowd: 13138) |
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Saturday, 16 August |
West Perth 21.25 (151) |
def. |
East Fremantle 11.13 (79) |
Leederville Oval (crowd: 9034) |
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- With Alan Watling kicking an equal career-best seven goals in this 250th match, West Perth run over hapless East Fremantle with 10.7 (67) to 2.3 (15) in the third quarter, but poor second and final quarters question their finals hopes in critics’ eyes.[47]
- Subiaco, after being 86 points behind at half-time, kick 17.8 (110) to 10.3 (63) in the second half to reveal a question mark upon most of their football during 1980. Despite playing most of the second half at centre-half-forward with Stan Nowotny at full-forward, Simon Beasley kicks nine for Swans.[48]
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Round 20
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Round 20 |
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Saturday, 23 August |
Swan Districts 21.16 (142) |
def. |
West Perth 14.15 (99) |
Bassendean Oval (crowd: 12873) |
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Saturday, 23 August |
East Perth 22.5 (137) |
def. by |
South Fremantle 21.15 (141) |
Perth Oval (crowd: 14565) |
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Saturday, 23 August |
Claremont 27.16 (178) |
def. |
Subiaco 13.13 (91) |
Claremont Oval (crowd: 5462) |
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Saturday, 23 August |
East Fremantle 25.13 (163) |
def. |
Perth 22.14 (146) |
East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 4010) |
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- Don Haddow, the last remaining player from South’s 1970 premiership team, kick 7.4 (46) and leads well to fill the unfamiliar role of full-forward that had caused the Bulldogs trouble.[49]
- East Perth made a late charge from 41 points behind, led by Paul Arnold, that fails owing to weaknesses on the flanks and young ruckman Ironmonger’s immobility around the ground.
- With Ralph equaling his best performance of 11.6 (72) and Phil Krakouer unstoppable with his superb disposal, Claremont kick 18.9 (117) to 5.2 (32) after a promising first half by the Lions.[50]
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Round 21
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Round 21 |
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Saturday, 30 August |
South Fremantle 18.14 (122) |
def. |
Swan Districts 10.16 (76) |
Fremantle Oval (crowd: 15980) |
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Saturday, 30 August |
West Perth 20.16 (136) |
def. |
East Perth 17.4 (106) |
Leederville Oval (crowd: 14427) |
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Saturday, 30 August |
Perth 15.12 (102) |
def. by |
Claremont 18.18 (126) |
Lathlain Park (crowd: 5807) |
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Saturday, 30 August |
Subiaco 18.13 (121) |
def. by |
East Fremantle 19.33 (147) |
Subiaco Oval (crowd: 3412) |
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- West Perth produce a superb team effort that sees the in the four early in the last quarter before several goals from Murray Couper reduce the margin and re-establish East Perth’s place.[51]
- East Fremantle equal the second highest number of behinds in a senior WAFL match[52]
- Subiaco’s colts kicked the embarrassing score of 1.16 (22), but scored 12.7 (79) against the same opponent the following weekend.
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Ladder
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| TEAM | P | W | L | D | PF | PA | % | PTS |
1 | Swan Districts | 21 | 18 | 3 | 0 | 2764 | 2023 | 136.63 | 72 |
2 | South Fremantle | 21 | 17 | 4 | 0 | 2674 | 2085 | 128.25 | 68 |
3 | Claremont | 21 | 13 | 8 | 0 | 2613 | 2194 | 119.10 | 52 |
4 | East Perth | 21 | 11 | 10 | 0 | 2501 | 2224 | 112.46 | 44 |
5 | West Perth | 21 | 11 | 10 | 0 | 2319 | 2104 | 110.22 | 44 |
6 | Perth | 21 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 2462 | 2691 | 91.49 | 28 |
7 | East Fremantle | 21 | 5 | 16 | 0 | 2161 | 2948 | 73.30 | 20 |
8 | Subiaco | 21 | 2 | 19 | 0 | 1790 | 3015 | 59.37 | 8 |
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, 6 September |
Claremont 15.10 (100) |
def. by |
East Perth 19.18 (132) |
Subiaco Oval (crowd: 30,184) |
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Despite the loss of decorated centreman Phil Kelly, Steve Curtis’ blanketing of Phil Krakouer after the first fifteen minutes and the dominance of key forward Paul Arnold and Grant Campbell gives East Perth a clear win.[53] |
Second Semi Final
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Second Semi-Final |
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Saturday, 13 September |
Swan Districts 11.12 (78) |
def. by |
South Fremantle 11.22 (88) |
Subiaco Oval (crowd: 34,575) |
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In a fiery match, South Fremantle show they remained Western Australia’s wet-weather specialists by keeping Swan Districts to 2.9 (21) after half-time as rain began and the pressure intensified.[54] |
Preliminary Final
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Preliminary Final |
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Saturday, 20 September |
Swan Districts 28.13 (181) |
def. |
East Perth 15.15 (105) |
Subiaco Oval (crowd: 34,193) |
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- Record attendance for a WA(N)FL Preliminary Final[55]
- Swans beat Subiaco’s 1959 record for the highest score in a WA(N)FL final by two points, showing the gap between the top two and the rest. East Perth cannot counter the centreline of Keith and Phil Narkle and Mike Smith, nor Graham Melrose and Beasley who finish with 16.1 between them.[56]
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Grand Final
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1980 WAFL Grand Final |
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Saturday, 27 September |
South Fremantle |
def. |
Swan Districts |
Subiaco Oval (Crowd: 46,208) |
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3.6 (24) 11.13 (79) 17.16 (118) 23.18 (156) |
Q1 Q2 Q3 Final |
2.2 (14) 3.7 (25) 8.7 (55) 15.8 (98) |
Simpson Medal: Maurice Rioli (South Fremantle) |
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Carter 4, Hardie 3, Outhwaite 3, Vigona 3, Morley 2, Shaw 2, Michael 2, Rioli 2, O‘Brien, Campbell Delmenico |
Goals |
Richardson 3, Neesham 2, Hoyer 2, Solin 2, Beasley 2, Holmes 2, Holden, Phil Narkle |
Rioli, Carter, McKay, Michael, Vigona, Delmenico |
Best |
Neesham, Boucher, Skwirowski, Gillespie, Solin, Richardson |
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South Fremantle, on a winning streak dating back to Round 10, give what is often regarded as the finest display in any WAFL Grand Final to thrash Swan Districts, playing in their first Grand Final since 1965. |
Notes
a The game when Austin Robertson kicked 15.11 (101).
References
- 1 2 See Hopkins, Colin; ‘Swans Live Up to Their Promise’; The West Australian, 8 April 1980, p. 87
- 1 2 Carew-Reid, Andrew; ‘East Fremantle Throw Off the Blues’; The West Australian, 28 April 1980, p. 78
- ↑ See Spillman, Ken; Diehards: the Story of the Subiaco Football Club 1946-2000, p. 199; ISBN 0-9578185-0-5
- ↑ See Christian, Geoff; ‘Claremont Lose Their Wingmen’, The West Australian, 23 June 1980; pp. 65, 68
- ↑ Bird, Frank; ‘Percy’s Carlton Crushed’; The Age, 17 March 1980, p. 38
- ↑ Rodgers, Stephen (compiler); The Complete Book of VFL Records; pp. 223-227. ISBN 1862528020
- ↑ Christian, Geoff; ‘Brown’s Gamble Pays Off’; The West Australian, 7 April 1980, p. 70
- ↑ WAFL Footy Facts: East Fremantle – Game Records
- ↑ Christian, Geoff; ‘New-Look Swans Survive Crises’; The West Australian, 14 April 1980, p. 68
- ↑ Hopkins, Colin; ‘Peake’s Talent Wasted at Centre Half-Forward’; The West Australian, 14 April 1980, p. 67
- ↑ Hopkins, Colin; ‘Defenders Save Face for Drab East Perth’; The West Australian, 21 April 1980, p. 63
- ↑ Christian, Geoff; ‘South Reveal Star Quality’; The West Australian, 21 April 1980, p. 76
- ↑ Sheterline, John; ‘West Perth Mean Business’; The West Australian, 21 April 1980, p. 76
- ↑ Christian, Geoff; ‘All’s Not Lost for Subiaco’; The West Australian, 28 April 1980; p. 63
- ↑ Hopkins, Colin; ‘Claremont Flaws Come to Surface’; The West Australian, 28 April 1980; p. 62
- ↑ WAFL Footy Facts: Draws
- ↑ Christian, Geoff; ‘1979 Flops on the Top’; The West Australian, 5 May 1980; pp. 90, 96
- ↑ Swan Districts: Most Behinds
- ↑ Swan Districts: Biggest Home-and-Away Crowds
- ↑ WAFL Footy Facts: Consecutive Wins by 100 Points
- ↑ ‘Reports Come after Brawl’; The West Australian, 12 May 1980; p. 66
- ↑ ‘Bucknall Penalised for Six Dates’; The West Australian, 13 May 1980; pp. 79, 80
- ↑ Subiaco: Biggest Wins
- ↑ ‘Lions Find Their Roar’; The West Australian, 19 May 1980, p. 55
- ↑ ‘Long Kicks Boost W.P.’; The West Australian, 26 May 1980, p. 67
- ↑ ‘Souths End Run of Losses’; The West Australian, 26 May 1980, pp. 68, 67
- ↑ ‘Swans March Home with 22-goal Half’; The West Australian, 26 May 1980, p. 67
- ↑ WAFL Footy Facts – Most Combined Points in Second Half
- ↑ “A Special Writer” (anonymous author); ‘Claremont Crush West Perth’; The West Australian, 3 June 1980, p. 75
- ↑ ‘E. F‘Tle Give Their Best in Derby’; The West Australian, 3 June 1980, p. 76
- ↑ ‘Mal’s Move Pays Off’; The West Australian, 9 June 1980, p. 66
- ↑ ‘Old Easts a Heap of Ruins’; The West Australian, 9 June 1980, p. 66
- ↑ Sheterline, John; ‘Subiaco Lacks Discipline’; The West Australian, 16 June 1980, p. 58
- ↑ Christian, Geoff; ‘Melrose Provides the Inspiration’; The West Australian, 16 June 1980; p. 74
- ↑ Hopkins, Colin; ‘Jager Proves Critics Wrong’; The West Australian, 16 June 1980; p. 75
- ↑ Daily Rainfall for Perth Regional Office, June 1980
- ↑ Hopkins, Colin; ‘Rioli Bursts Back into Best Form’, The West Australian, 23 June 1980
- ↑ WAFL Footy Facts: Claremont v South Fremantle
- ↑ WAFL Footy Facts: Streaks
- ↑ Sheterline, John; ‘Swans Pass Test of Character’; The West Australian, 30 June 1980, p. 60
- ↑ Christian, Geoff; ‘Perth Wingers Show the Way’; The West Australian, 30 June 1980, p. 61
- ↑ Hopkins, Colin; ‘Bring on the Rain Is South’s Cry’; The West Australian, 14 July 1980, p. 68
- ↑ Hopkins, Colin, ‘Reward for Perseverance’; The West Australian, 21 July 1980; p. 69
- ↑ Hopkins, Colin; ‘Shaw Gains Status as a Defender’; The West Australian, 28 July 1980, p. 72
- ↑ Hopkins, Colin; ‘Claremont Shatter West Perth’s Hopes’; The West Australian, 4 August 1980; p. 70
- ↑ Hopkins, Colin; ‘Swans Are at Their Best under Pressure’; The West Australian, 11 August 1980, p. 66
- ↑ Sheterline, John; ‘West Perth Must Sustain Pressure’; The West Australian, 18 August 1980, p. 74
- ↑ Hopkins, Colin; ‘There’s a Glimmer of Hope for Subiaco’; The West Australian, 18 August 1980, p. 75
- ↑ Christian, Geoff; ‘Haddow Looks the Answer in Attack’; The West Australian, 25 August 1980, p. 96
- ↑ Hopkins, Colin; ‘Melville Will Be Hand in Finals’; The West Australian, 25 August 1980, p. 96
- ↑ Hopkins, Colin; ‘West Perth Take All the Glory’; The West Australian, 1 September 1980, p. 67
- ↑ East Fremantle: Most Behinds
- ↑ Christian, Geoff; ‘East Perth Are on Target’; The West Australian, 8 September 1980; p. 72
- ↑ Christian, Geoff; ‘Now or Never for South, Says Brown’; The West Australian, 15 September 1980, p. 67
- ↑ Devaney, John; Full Points Footy’s WA Football Companion; p. 12. ISBN 978-0-9556897-1-0
- ↑ Christian, Geoff; ‘East Perth Were Always Lagging’; The West Australian; 22 September 1980, p. 67
External links
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