1984 WAFL season
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 not improving their position in the seniors, were generally considered to have made major improvement with five more victories and a young reserves side winning the club’s first premiership in any grade since their 1974 colts win.[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 2
Round 3
Round 4 (Easter Weekend)
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Round 4 |
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Saturday, 21 April |
Subiaco 8.4 (52) |
def. by |
Claremont 16.17 (113) |
Subiaco Oval (crowd: 9167) |
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Saturday, 21 April |
East Fremantle 21.21 (147) |
def. |
West Perth 16.16 (112) |
East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 7376) |
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Monday, 23 April |
Swan Districts 23.27 (165) |
def. |
Perth 11.13 (79) |
Bassendean Oval (crowd: 12989) |
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Monday, 23 April |
East Perth 9.9 (63) |
def. by |
South Fremantle 33.23 (221) |
Perth Oval (crowd: 13836) |
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- 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.
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Round 5
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Round 5 |
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Saturday, 28 April |
South Fremantle 15.29 (119) |
def. |
Perth 18.8 (116) |
Fremantle Oval (crowd: 8478) |
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Saturday, 28 April |
Subiaco 17.21 (123) |
def. |
East Perth 13.23 (101) |
Subiaco Oval (crowd: 6314) |
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Saturday, 28 April |
West Perth 15.19 (109) |
def. |
Claremont 12.21 (93) |
Leederville Oval (crowd: 6820) |
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Saturday, 28 April |
Swan Districts 13.13 (91) |
def. |
East Fremantle 12.14 (86) |
Bassendean Oval (crowd: 11430) |
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- 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]
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Round 6
Round 7
Round 8
Round 9
Round 10 (Foundation Day)
Round 11
Round 12
Round 13
Round 14
Round 15
Round 16
Round 17
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Round 17 |
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Saturday, 28 July |
West Perth 15.12 (102) |
def. by |
Subiaco 18.17 (125) |
Leederville Oval (crowd: 7009) |
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Saturday, 28 July |
South Fremantle 17.19 (121) |
def. by |
Swan Districts 21.15 (141) |
Fremantle Oval (crowd: 11918) |
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Saturday, 28 July |
Perth 24.18 (162) |
def. |
East Perth 14.16 (100) |
Lathlain Park (crowd: 5477) |
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Saturday, 28 July |
Claremont 19.18 (132) |
def. |
East Fremantle 15.17 (107) |
Subiaco Oval (crowd: 6246) |
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- 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.[30]
- Stephen Sells’ seven goals, including four brilliant second-quarter snaps, ensures Subiaco stay ahead of the Falcons in the battle for fourth place.[31]
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Round 18
Round 19
Round 20
Round 21
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Round 21 |
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Saturday, 25 August |
Swan Districts 19.15 (129) |
def. |
West Perth 15.7 (97) |
Bassendean Oval (crowd: 9182) |
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Saturday, 25 August |
South Fremantle 9.13 (67) |
def. by |
Subiaco 18.11 (119) |
Fremantle Oval (crowd: 7325) |
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Saturday, 25 August |
Perth 21.17 (143) |
def. by |
Claremont 31.17 (203) |
Lathlain Park (crowd: 5104) |
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Saturday, 25 August |
East Perth 20.10 (130) |
def. |
East Fremantle 15.16 (106) |
Perth Oval (crowd: 8028) |
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- 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.[37]
- Perth and Claremont scored an aggregate of 346 points. As of 2013, this is the third highest aggregate score in WA(N)FL history.[38] The second quarter aggregate of 18.4 (112) is the second highest on record and the highest before 1990.[39]
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Ladder
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| 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 |
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Finals
First Semi-Final
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First Semi Final |
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Saturday, 1 September |
Claremont 23.10 (148) |
def. |
East Perth 18.18 (126) |
Subiaco Oval (crowd: 20,000) |
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Claremont continue their improved attacking form to run away from the Royals at the finish. Steve Malaxos dominates in the centre and Daniels kicks 7.5 (47).[40] |
Second Semi-Final
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Second Semi Final |
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Saturday, 8 September |
Swan Districts 10.16 (76) |
def. by |
East Fremantle 15.12 (102) |
Subiaco Oval (crowd: 20,000) |
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A five-minute burst of as many goals early in the second quarter – in which they total 8.6 (54) – ensures East Fremantle of victory over the Swans, who were handicapped by the loss of several key backmen.[41] |
Preliminary Final
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Preliminary Final |
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Saturday, 15 September |
Claremont 14.9 (93) |
def. by |
Swan Districts 16.18 (114) |
Subiaco Oval |
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Swan Districts achieve a solid win after being 30 points down ten minutes into the second quarter as Todd’s reorganisation of the team pays off.[42] |
Grand Final
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1984 WAFL Grand Final |
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Saturday, 22 September |
East Fremantle |
def. by |
Swan Districts |
Subiaco Oval (Crowd: 41,831) |
[43] |
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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) |
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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 |
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Swan Districts under John Todd completed their second premiership hat-trick, despite having only eleven of their 1983 team due to losses to the VFL and retirement. |
References
- ↑ Devaney, John; Full Points Footy’s WA Football Companion; p. 278. ISBN 9780955689710
- ↑ Warren Ralph: Blueseum
- 1 2 Wainwright, Robert; ‘Ward Turns the Table on Tigers’; in The West Australian, 16 April 1984; p. 72
- ↑ Christian, Geoff; ‘Chips Are Down for the Tigers’; in The West Australian, 9 April 1984, p. 76
- ↑ ‘League Says No to VFL TV’; in The West Australian, 9 July 1984, p. 96
- ↑ ‘Thumbs Up at Bunbury’; in The West Australian, 2 April 1984; p. 87
- ↑ Christina, Geoff; ‘Royals Turn Up Trumps’; in The West Australian, 2 April 1984; pp. 85, 87
- ↑ WAFL Footy Facts: East Perth v Each Opponent
- ↑ Marsh, David; ‘Thoroughly Modern Royals’; in The West Australian, 9 April 1984, p. 76
- ↑ Christian, Geoff; ‘Individuals Get Tigers Moving at Last’; in The West Australian, 23 April 1984, p. 80
- ↑ East Perth: Biggest losses
- ↑ WAFL Footy Facts: Most Points in Second Quarter (One Team)
- ↑ Casellas, Ken; ‘Subiaco Have a Lot to Learn’; in The West Australian, 30 April 1984, p. 75
- ↑ WAFL Footy Facts: Wins With Less Goals
- ↑ Christian, Geoff; ‘Sharks in the Mood’; in The West Australian, 30 April 1984, p. 76
- ↑ See Christian Geoff; ‘Wiley Has a Knee Injury’; in The West Australian, 7 May 1984, p. 84
- ↑ See Newman, Alan; ‘Drawn Game’; in ‘Port Club’s Pennant Hopes Rise’; from The West Australian, 9 September 1957, p. 21
- ↑ WAFL Footy Facts – Draws
- ↑ Wainwright, Robert; ‘Alexander Answers His Critics in Style’; in The West Australian, 21 May 1984, p. 81
- ↑ Casellas, Ken; ‘Malaxos Relished Challenge’; in The West Australian, 21 May 1984, p. 80
- ↑ Christian Geoff; ‘Swans Resist Brave South Challenge’; in The West Australian, 28 May 1984, p. 66
- ↑ Christian, Geoff; ‘Claremont’s Win a Triumph for Moss’; in The West Australian; 4 June 1984, p. 78
- ↑ Subiaco: Highest Scores
- ↑ WAFL Footy Facts: Perth Streaks
- ↑ Christian, Geoff; ‘Subiaco Turn On Their Full Power’; in The West Australian, 18 June 1984, p. 80
- ↑ Casellas, Ken; ‘Michael Faces Moment of Truth’; in The West Australian; 25 June 1984, p. 68
- ↑ Wainwright, Robert; ‘Sartori Returns with a Flourish’; in The West Australian, 2 July 1984, p. 79
- ↑ Casellas, Ken; ‘Dorotich Makes Mark as a Ruckman’ in The West Australian, 2 July 1984, p. 79
- ↑ Marsh, Dave; ‘South Give Their Fans a Winning Treat’; in The West Australian; 16 July 1984, p. 80
- ↑ Casellas, Ken; ‘Claremont Keep Hopes Alive’; The West Australian, 30 July 1984, p. 69
- ↑ Wainwright, Robert; ‘Opportunity Knocks for Subiaco’; The West Australian, 30 July 1984, p. 69
- ↑ Marsh, David; ‘Baffled Brown Hands Over Reins’; The West Australian, 6 August 1984, p. 80
- ↑ Marsh, David; ‘Royals Have Perfect Blend’; The West Australian, 6 August 1984, p. 74
- ↑ Casellas, Ken; ‘Cormack Slips Back into Gear for Sharks’; The West Australian, 6 August 1984, p. 74
- ↑ Casellas, Ken; ‘Swans Fly to the Top’; The West Australian, 13 August 1984, p. 94
- ↑ Marsh, David; ‘Royals Up Against It’; The West Australian, 20 August 1984, p. 76
- ↑ Christian, Geoff; ‘Claremont Face Poser’; The West Australian, 27 August 1984, p. 76
- ↑ WAFL Footy Facts: Highest Combined Scores
- ↑ WAFL Footy Facts: Most Combined Points Second Quarter
- ↑ Christian, Geoff; ‘Tigers Are Waiting to Pounce’; The West Australian, 3 September 1984, pp. 85, 88
- ↑ Christian, Geoff; ‘Swans Are in Need of Repairs’; The West Australian, 10 September 1984, pp. 80, 84
- ↑ Christian, Geoff; ‘Swans Ready for Another Tilt at Sharks’; The West Australian, 17 September 1984, p. 92
- ↑ Christian, Geoff; ‘What a Success – And a Bonus’; The West Australian, 24 September 1984, p. 104
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