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{{short description|Australian rules football season}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}}
{{Use Australian English|date=December 2017}}
{{Infobox Australian rules football season
{{Infobox Australian rules football season
| competition = wafl
| competition = wafl
Line 6: Line 9:
| caption =
| caption =
| teams = 9
| teams = 9
| premiers = {{WAFL Sub}}
| premiers = {{WAFL|Sub}}
| count = 8
| count = 8
| minor premiers = {{WAFL Sub}}
| minor premiers = {{WAFL|Sub}}
| mpcount = 9
| mpcount = 9
| matches = 94
| matches = 94
| attendance =
| attendance =
| highattend =
| highattend =
| top goal scorer = [[Brad Smith (footballer born 1979)|Brad Smith]] ({{WAFL Sub}})
| top goal scorer = [[Brad Smith (footballer, born 1979)|Brad Smith]] ({{WAFL|Sub}})
| sandover medal = [[Allistair Pickett]] ({{WAFL Sub}})
| sandover medal = [[Allistair Pickett]] ({{WAFL|Sub}})
| prevseason = [[2003 WAFL season|2003]]
| prevseason = [[2003 WAFL season|2003]]
| nextseason = [[2005 WAFL season|2005]]
| nextseason = [[2005 WAFL season|2005]]
}}
}}
The '''2004 WAFL season''' was the 120th season of the various incarnations of the [[West Australian Football League]].
The '''2004 WAFL season''' was the one hundred and twentieth season of the various incarnations of the [[West Australian Football League]]. The most notable feature of the season was Peel Thunder being recognised with a scoreless match for the first time in any major Australian Rules league since Subiaco failed to score against South Fremantle in August of 1906,<ref>[http://waflfootyfacts.net/GameRecords.html#LowestScores WAFL Footy Facts: Lowest Scores]</ref> due to having their score of 10.10 wiped when former [[Fitzroy Football Club|Fitzroy]] and Subiaco rover [[Peter Bird (footballer)|Peter Bird]] was ruled to have not been cleared for that opening match.<ref name="Peel">Townsend, John; ‘Peel Will Plead Bird Selection Legitimate’; ''The Game'', p. 11; from ''[[The West Australian]]'', 22 March 2004</ref> Despite this setback and losing their first eight matches, the Thunder managed to avoid the wooden spoon with five wins being their third-best record in eight seasons and still their equal fifth-best as of 2013 in the WAFL.


Subiaco, after eleven unsuccessful finals campaigns including six in succession, won its first premiership since [[Haydn Bunton, Jr.]] took them to the 1988 flag, whilst Swan Districts, largely clear of their severe financial troubles from the 1990s, played finals for the first time in a decade. During late May and June, perennial tailender Perth looked like playing finals for only the fourth time since 1979, but faltered badly in July and August.
The wooden spoon went to East Fremantle for the first time since their debut season of 1898, with three wins being the Sharks’ worst record since that debut year when they won one match of sixteen (though they also lost seventeen matches in 1968 and 1970).<ref>[http://waflfootyfacts.net/Seasons/1898/scores.html#TeamSummary WAFL Footy Facts: 1898]</ref> The blue and whites suffered from two narrow losses and a botched resignation by coach [[Rod Lester-Smith]] which was unannounced but definite before East Fremantle’s Round 13 game against Subiaco.<ref name="Lockyer">Reid, Russell; ‘[[Andrew Lockyer|Lockyer]] Calls on Sharks’ Players to Stand Up’; ''The Game'', p. 11; from ''The West Australian'', 14 June 2004</ref>


The wooden spoon went to East Fremantle for the first time since their debut season of 1898, with three wins being the Sharks’ worst record since that debut year when they won one match of sixteen (though they also lost seventeen matches in 1968 and 1970).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://waflfootyfacts.net/Seasons/1898/scores.html#TeamSummary |title=WAFL Footy Facts: 1898 |access-date=16 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216023540/http://waflfootyfacts.net/Seasons/1898/scores.html#TeamSummary |archive-date=16 December 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The blue and whites suffered from two narrow losses and a botched resignation by coach [[Rod Lester-Smith]] which was unannounced but definite before East Fremantle's Round 13 game against Subiaco.<ref name="Lockyer">Reid, Russell; ‘[[Andrew Lockyer|Lockyer]] Calls on Sharks’ Players to Stand Up’; ''The Game'', p. 11; from ''The West Australian'', 14 June 2004</ref> 2003 premiers West Perth, suffering a crippling injury toll, fell to seventh, which remains their lowest position since the great revival under [[Jeff Gieschen]] in 1993.<ref name="High-Flying">Lewis, Ross; ‘High-Flying Swans too Strong for Falcons’; ''The West Australian'', 28 June 2004, p. 58</ref>
Subiaco, after eleven unsuccessful finals campaigns including six in succession, win its first premiership since [[Haydn Bunton, Jr.]] took them to the 1988 flag, whilst Swan Districts, largely clear of their severe financial troubles from the 1990s, played finals for the first time in a decade. During late May and June, perennial tailender Perth looked like playing finals for only the fourth time since 1979, but faltered badly in July and August.

The most notable occurrence during the season was Peel Thunder being recognised with a scoreless match for the first time in any major Australian Rules league since Subiaco failed to score against South Fremantle in August 1906,<ref>[http://waflfootyfacts.net/GameRecords.html#LowestScores WAFL Footy Facts: Lowest Scores] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029193428/http://waflfootyfacts.net/GameRecords.html#LowestScores |date=29 October 2013 }}</ref> due to having their score of 10.10 wiped when former [[Fitzroy Football Club|Fitzroy]] and Subiaco rover [[Peter Bird (footballer)|Peter Bird]] was ruled to have not been cleared for that opening match.<ref name="Peel">Townsend, John; ‘Peel Will Plead Bird Selection Legitimate’; ''The Game'', p. 11; from ''[[The West Australian]]'', 22 March 2004</ref> Despite this setback and losing their first eight matches, the Thunder managed to avoid the wooden spoon with five wins being their third-best record in eight seasons and still their equal fifth-best in the WAFL as of 2014. Peel also won the Colts premiership with a major upset against South Fremantle in the Grand Final.<ref>[http://www.wafooty.com.au/download/d/R_9lqgDaI2MsxeIiVk607KGT6cDcV-CNYBg-FUNoJ8M WAFL Colts Ladder Positions]</ref>


The season was also notable for the Lions moving their home games to the redeveloped Leederville Oval and for the first night games at that ground, both of which were viewed as resounding successes at a time when the WAFL was struggling with its reduced profile.
The season was also notable for the Lions moving their home games to the redeveloped Leederville Oval and for the first night games at that ground, both of which were viewed as resounding successes at a time when the WAFL was struggling with its reduced profile.

==Home-and-away Season==
==Home-and-away season==
===Round 1===
===Round 1===
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 1}}
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 1}}
{{AFLGame|Friday, 19 March (6:45 pm)|{{WAFL SF}}|10.8 (68)|A|{{WAFL WP}}|16.8 (104)|[[Fremantle Oval]]|2800}}
{{AFLGame|Friday, 19 March (6:45 pm)|{{WAFL|SF}}|10.8 (68)|A|{{WAFL|WP}}|16.8 (104)|[[Fremantle Oval]]|2800}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 20 March (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL Per}}|17.12 (114)|H|{{WAFL EF}}|10.7 (67)|[[Lathlain Park]]|2092}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 20 March (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|Per}}|17.12 (114)|H|{{WAFL|EF}}|10.7 (67)|[[Lathlain Park]]|2092}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 20 March (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL PT}}|0.0 (0)|A|{{WAFL Cla}}|17.15 (117)|[[Rushton Park]]|1233}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 20 March (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|PT}}|0.0 (0)|A|{{WAFL|Cla}}|17.15 (117)|[[Rushton Park]]|1233}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 20 March (6:45 pm)|{{WAFL EP}}|12.7 (79)|A|{{WAFL Sub}}|16.8 (104)|[[Leederville Oval]]|3470}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 20 March (6:45 pm)|{{WAFL|EP}}|12.7 (79)|A|{{WAFL|Sub}}|16.8 (104)|[[Leederville Oval]]|3470}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL SD}}}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL|SD}}}}
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=*Peel’s score is officially the lowest in the WAFL since 1906, when Subiaco failed to score against South Fremantle.
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=*Peel’s score is officially the lowest in the WAFL since 1906, when Subiaco failed to score against South Fremantle.
*The Thunder actually scored 10.10 (70),<ref>[http://www.wafl.com.au/games/view/5207 Peel Thunder v Claremont, Round 1, 2004]</ref> but had their score annulled at the WAFL meeting on April 13 because Peter Bird’s clearance from South Bunbury did not apply to this opening game.<ref name="Peel"/>
*The Thunder actually scored 10.10 (70),<ref>[http://www.wafl.com.au/games/view/5207 Peel Thunder v Claremont, Round 1, 2004]</ref> but had their score annulled at the WAFL meeting on 13 April because Peter Bird’s clearance from South Bunbury did not apply to this opening game.<ref name="Peel"/>
*The first night match at Leederville, between the second- and third-placed clubs of 2003, is viewed a resounding success.<ref>Townsend, John; ‘Saturday Night All Right for WAFL’; ''Game'', p. 11; from ''The West Australian'', 22 March 2004</ref>}}
*The first night match at Leederville, between the second- and third-placed clubs of 2003, is viewed a resounding success.<ref>Townsend, John; ‘Saturday Night All Right for WAFL’; ''Game'', p. 11; from ''The West Australian'', 22 March 2004</ref>}}

===Round 2===
===Round 2===
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 2}}
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 2}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 27 March (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL EP}}|15.13 (103)|H|{{WAFL PT}}|13.9 (87)|[[Leederville Oval]]|1320}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 27 March (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|EP}}|15.13 (103)|H|{{WAFL|PT}}|13.9 (87)|[[Leederville Oval]]|1320}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 27 March (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL SD}}|10.19 (79)|H|{{WAFL SF}}|8.13 (61)|[[Bassendean Oval]]|1593}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 27 March (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|SD}}|10.19 (79)|H|{{WAFL|SF}}|8.13 (61)|[[Bassendean Oval]]|1593}}
{{AFLGame|Sunday, 28 March (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL Cla}}|14.8 (92)|H|{{WAFL Per}}|12.7 (79)|[[Claremont Oval]]|1741}}
{{AFLGame|Sunday, 28 March (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|Cla}}|14.8 (92)|H|{{WAFL|Per}}|12.7 (79)|[[Claremont Oval]]|1741}}
{{AFLGame|Sunday, 28 March (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL WP}}|9.12 (66)|A|{{WAFL Sub}}|12.10 (82)|[[Arena Joondalup]]|2000}}
{{AFLGame|Sunday, 28 March (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|WP}}|9.12 (66)|A|{{WAFL|Sub}}|12.10 (82)|[[Arena Joondalup]]|2000}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL EF}}}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL|EF}}}}
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=}}
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=}}

===Round 3===
===Round 3===
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 3}}
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 3}}
{{AFLGame|Friday, 2 April (6:45 pm)|{{WAFL Sub}}|19.4 (118)|H|{{WAFL SD}}|11.7 (73)|[[Leederville Oval]]|2153}}
{{AFLGame|Friday, 2 April (6:45 pm)|{{WAFL|Sub}}|19.4 (118)|H|{{WAFL|SD}}|11.7 (73)|[[Leederville Oval]]|2153}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 3 April (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL EF}}|14.6 (90)|A|{{WAFL Cla}}|22.18 (150)|[[East Fremantle Oval]]|1290}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 3 April (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|EF}}|14.6 (90)|A|{{WAFL|Cla}}|22.18 (150)|[[East Fremantle Oval]]|1290}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 3 April (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL Per}}|10.14 (74)|A|{{WAFL EP}}|13.11 (89)|[[Lathlain Park]]|1765}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 3 April (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|Per}}|10.14 (74)|A|{{WAFL|EP}}|13.11 (89)|[[Lathlain Park]]|1765}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 3 April (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL PT}}|10.12 (72)|A|{{WAFL WP}}|13.20 (98)|[[Rushton Park]]|1619}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 3 April (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|PT}}|10.12 (72)|A|{{WAFL|WP}}|13.20 (98)|[[Rushton Park]]|1619}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL SF}}}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL|SF}}}}
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=}}
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=}}

===Round 4===
===Round 4===
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 4}}
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 4}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 10 April (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL WP}}|14.20 (104)|H|{{WAFL Per}}|9.9 (63)|[[Arena Joondalup]]|1987}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 10 April (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|WP}}|14.20 (104)|H|{{WAFL|Per}}|9.9 (63)|[[Arena Joondalup]]|1987}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 10 April (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL SD}}|20.10 (130)|H|{{WAFL PT}}|13.5 (83)|[[Bassendean Oval]]|1871}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 10 April (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|SD}}|20.10 (130)|H|{{WAFL|PT}}|13.5 (83)|[[Bassendean Oval]]|1871}}
{{AFLGame|Monday, 12 April (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL SF}}|12.15 (87)|H|{{WAFL Sub}}|13.8 (86)|[[Fremantle Oval]]|2077}}
{{AFLGame|Monday, 12 April (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|SF}}|12.15 (87)|H|{{WAFL|Sub}}|13.8 (86)|[[Fremantle Oval]]|2077}}
{{AFLGame|Monday, 12 April (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL EP}}|13.11 (89)|H|{{WAFL EF}}|13.9 (87)|[[Leederville Oval]]|2367}}
{{AFLGame|Monday, 12 April (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|EP}}|13.11 (89)|H|{{WAFL|EF}}|13.9 (87)|[[Leederville Oval]]|2367}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL Cla}}}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL|Cla}}}}
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=*Swan Districts kick crucial goals during time-on of the second and third quarters to ensure a more-competitive Peel team under [[Garry Hocking]] does not approach its first win.<ref>Lewis, Ross; ‘Swans Make Most of Thunder Fade-Out’; ''The Game'', p. 11; in ''The West Australian'', 11 April 2004</ref>
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=*Swan Districts kick crucial goals during time-on of the second and third quarters to ensure a more-competitive Peel team under [[Garry Hocking]] does not approach its first win.<ref>Lewis, Ross; ‘Swans Make Most of Thunder Fade-Out’; ''The Game'', p. 11; in ''The West Australian'', 11 April 2004</ref>
*Two thrilling games sees the Fremantle clubs winless with Peel after four rounds, with Shark Jason Morgan denied an apparently fair goal after he toed the ball through a pack.<ref>Townsend, John; ‘Shark Scare for Royals in Late Run’; ''The West Australian'', 13 April 2004, p. 58</ref>}}
*Two thrilling games see the Fremantle clubs winless with Peel after four rounds, with Shark Jason Morgan denied an apparently fair goal after he toed the ball through a pack.<ref>Townsend, John; ‘Shark Scare for Royals in Late Run’; ''The West Australian'', 13 April 2004, p. 58</ref>}}

===Round 5===
===Round 5===
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 5}}
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 5}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 17 April (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL EF}}|17.6 (108)|H|{{WAFL WP}}|15.13 (103)|[[East Fremantle Oval]]|1328}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 17 April (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|EF}}|17.6 (108)|H|{{WAFL|WP}}|15.13 (103)|[[East Fremantle Oval]]|1328}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 17 April (5:40 pm)|{{WAFL PT}}|11.14 (80)|A|{{WAFL SF}}|23.16 (154)|[[Rushton Park]]|1182}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 17 April (5:40 pm)|{{WAFL|PT}}|11.14 (80)|A|{{WAFL|SF}}|23.16 (154)|[[Rushton Park]]|1182}}
{{AFLGame|Sunday, 18 April (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL Cla}}|12.5 (77)|H|{{WAFL EP}}|7.12 (54)|[[Claremont Oval]]|1998}}
{{AFLGame|Sunday, 18 April (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|Cla}}|12.5 (77)|H|{{WAFL|EP}}|7.12 (54)|[[Claremont Oval]]|1998}}
{{AFLGame|Sunday, 18 April (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL Per}}|18.15 (123)|H|{{WAFL SD}}|11.6 (72)|[[Lathlain Park]]|1690}}
{{AFLGame|Sunday, 18 April (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|Per}}|18.15 (123)|H|{{WAFL|SD}}|11.6 (72)|[[Lathlain Park]]|1690}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL Sub}}}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL|Sub}}}}
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=}}
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=}}

===Round 6===
===Round 6===
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 6}}
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 6}}
{{AFLGame|Friday, 23 April (6:45 pm)|{{WAFL Sub}}|20.9 (129)|H|{{WAFL PT}}|11.7 (73)|[[Leederville Oval]]|1592}}
{{AFLGame|Friday, 23 April (6:45 pm)|{{WAFL|Sub}}|20.9 (129)|H|{{WAFL|PT}}|11.7 (73)|[[Leederville Oval]]|1592}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 24 April (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL SD}}|14.11 (95)|H|{{WAFL EF}}|12.9 (81)|[[Bassendean Oval]]|1922}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 24 April (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|SD}}|14.11 (95)|H|{{WAFL|EF}}|12.9 (81)|[[Bassendean Oval]]|1922}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 24 April (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL SF}}|18.15 (123)|H|{{WAFL Per}}|12.10 (82)|[[Fremantle Oval]]|1490}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 24 April (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|SF}}|18.15 (123)|H|{{WAFL|Per}}|12.10 (82)|[[Fremantle Oval]]|1490}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 24 April (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL WP}}|10.4 (64)|A|{{WAFL Cla}}|13.17 (95)|[[Arena Joondalup]]|1655}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 24 April (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|WP}}|10.4 (64)|A|{{WAFL|Cla}}|13.17 (95)|[[Arena Joondalup]]|1655}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL EP}}}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL|EP}}}}
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=Subiaco kick fifteen goals without Peel scoring after the winless and crippled Thunder led 6.4 (40) to 2.5 (17) early in the second quarter.<ref>Townsend, John; ‘Tardy Lions Too Strong’; ''The West Australian'', 24 April 2004; p. 181</ref>}}
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=Subiaco kick fifteen goals without Peel scoring after the winless and crippled Thunder led 6.4 (40) to 2.5 (17) early in the second quarter.<ref>Townsend, John; ‘Tardy Lions Too Strong’; ''The West Australian'', 24 April 2004; p. 181</ref>}}

===Round 7===
===Round 7===
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 7}}
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 7}}
{{AFLGame|Friday, 30 April (6:45 pm)|{{WAFL EP}}|11.13 (79)|H|{{WAFL WP}}|11.12 (78)|[[Leederville Oval]]|3410}}
{{AFLGame|Friday, 30 April (6:45 pm)|{{WAFL|EP}}|11.13 (79)|H|{{WAFL|WP}}|11.12 (78)|[[Leederville Oval]]|3410}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 1 May (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL Cla}}|6.12 (48)|A|{{WAFL SD}}|8.10 (58)|[[Claremont Oval]]|1811}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 1 May (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|Cla}}|6.12 (48)|A|{{WAFL|SD}}|8.10 (58)|[[Claremont Oval]]|1811}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 1 May (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL Per}}|15.6 (96)|H|{{WAFL Sub}}|8.10 (58)|[[Cunderdin, Western Australia|Cunderdin]]|1678|<ref>Reid, Russell; ‘Demon Ruckmen Come Through Unscathed’; ''The Game'', p. 11; from ''The West Australian'', 3 May 2004</ref>}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 1 May (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|Per}}|15.6 (96)|H|{{WAFL|Sub}}|8.10 (58)|[[Cunderdin, Western Australia|Cunderdin]]|1678|<ref>Reid, Russell; ‘Demon Ruckmen Come Through Unscathed’; ''The Game'', p. 11; from ''The West Australian'', 3 May 2004</ref>}}
{{AFLGame|Sunday, 2 May (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL EF}}|13.9 (87)|A|{{WAFL SF}}|14.10 (94)|[[East Fremantle Oval]]|3065}}
{{AFLGame|Sunday, 2 May (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|EF}}|13.9 (87)|A|{{WAFL|SF}}|14.10 (94)|[[East Fremantle Oval]]|3065}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL PT}}}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL|PT}}}}
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=*[[Shane Beros]], with fifteen possessions in the last quarter, takes advantage of Swan Districts’ ability to turn the match into a stop-start affair and inflicts Claremont’s first defeat.<ref>Lewis, Ross; ‘Beros Cops It Sweet’; ''The Game'', p. 10; from ''The West Australian'', 3 May 2004</ref>
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=*[[Shane Beros]], with fifteen possessions in the last quarter, takes advantage of Swan Districts’ ability to turn the match into a stop-start affair and inflicts Claremont’s first defeat.<ref>Lewis, Ross; ‘Beros Cops It Sweet’; ''The Game'', p. 10; from ''The West Australian'', 3 May 2004</ref>
*Three late goals from Haydn North stop the Sharks from achieving a major upset despite another eight goals from [[Scott Simister|Simister]] – who had now scored twenty in three matches.<ref>Reid, Russell; ‘North Ends Sharks’ Bid for Derby Victory’; ''The Game'', p. 11; from ''The West Australian'', 3 May 2004</ref>}}
*Three late goals from Haydn North stop the Sharks from achieving a major upset despite another eight goals from [[Scott Simister|Simister]] – who had now scored twenty in three matches.<ref>Reid, Russell; ‘North Ends Sharks’ Bid for Derby Victory’; ''The Game'', p. 11; from ''The West Australian'', 3 May 2004</ref>}}

===Round 8===
===Round 8===
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 8}}
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 8}}
{{AFLGame|Friday, 7 May (6:45 pm)|{{WAFL EP}}|7.11 (53)|A|{{WAFL Sub}}|12.9 (81)|[[Leederville Oval]]|2447}}
{{AFLGame|Friday, 7 May (6:45 pm)|{{WAFL|EP}}|7.11 (53)|A|{{WAFL|Sub}}|12.9 (81)|[[Leederville Oval]]|2447}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 8 May (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL PT}}|14.12 (96)|A|{{WAFL Cla}}|13.19 (97)|[[Rushton Park]]|1145}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 8 May (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|PT}}|14.12 (96)|A|{{WAFL|Cla}}|13.19 (97)|[[Rushton Park]]|1145}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL EF}}, {{WAFL Per}}, {{WAFL SF}}, {{WAFL SD}}, {{WAFL WP}}}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL|EF}}, {{WAFL|Per}}, {{WAFL|SF}}, {{WAFL|SD}}, {{WAFL|WP}}}}
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=*Claremont, unsettled by movements into and out of the AFL, avoid a huge upset only via a late behind from Anthony Jones. Victorian import Cameron Gauci kicks seven for Peel.<ref>Lewis, Ross; ‘Unsettled Tigers Flirt with Defeat’; ''The Game'', p. 11; from ''The West Australian'', 10 May 2004</ref>
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=*Claremont, unsettled by movements into and out of the AFL, avoid a huge upset only via a late behind from Anthony Jones. Victorian import Cameron Gauci kicks seven for Peel.<ref>Lewis, Ross; ‘Unsettled Tigers Flirt with Defeat’; ''The Game'', p. 11; from ''The West Australian'', 10 May 2004</ref>
*The result constituted the first time a WAFL/Westar Rules team had won scoring fewer goals since West Perth beat Subiaco in Round 14 of 1998.}}
*The result constituted the first time a WAFL/Westar Rules team had won scoring fewer goals since West Perth beat Subiaco in Round 14 of 1998.}}

===Round 9===
===Round 9===
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 9}}
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 9}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 15 May (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL PT}}|10.8 (68)|A|{{WAFL SD}}|14.13 (97)|[[Rushton Park]]|1678}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 15 May (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|PT}}|10.8 (68)|A|{{WAFL|SD}}|14.13 (97)|[[Rushton Park]]|1678}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 15 May (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL Sub}}|11.6 (72)|A|{{WAFL SF}}|10.16 (76)|[[Leederville Oval]]|1337}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 15 May (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|Sub}}|11.6 (72)|A|{{WAFL|SF}}|10.16 (76)|[[Leederville Oval]]|1337}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 15 May (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL EF}}|7.13 (55)|A|{{WAFL EP}}|10.10 (70)|[[East Fremantle Oval]]|1347}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 15 May (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|EF}}|7.13 (55)|A|{{WAFL|EP}}|10.10 (70)|[[East Fremantle Oval]]|1347}}
{{AFLGame|Sunday, 16 May (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL Per}}|12.12 (84)|H|{{WAFL WP}}|8.14 (62)|[[Lathlain Park]]|1692}}
{{AFLGame|Sunday, 16 May (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|Per}}|12.12 (84)|H|{{WAFL|WP}}|8.14 (62)|[[Lathlain Park]]|1692}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL Cla}}}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL|Cla}}}}
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=*The hospitalisation of coach John Dimmer with a stomach cramp does not disturb South Fremantle and they produce an amazing last-quarter comeback where they go inside fifty metres twenty-five times to Subiaco’s three.<ref>Lewis, Ross; ‘Comeback Win a Tonic for Coach’; ''The Game'', p. 11; from ''The West Australian'', 17 May 2004</ref>
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=*The hospitalisation of coach John Dimmer with a stomach cramp does not disturb South Fremantle and they produce an amazing last-quarter comeback where they go inside fifty metres twenty-five times to Subiaco’s three.<ref>Lewis, Ross; ‘Comeback Win a Tonic for Coach’; ''The Game'', p. 11; from ''The West Australian'', 17 May 2004</ref>
*A classy first half before persistent rain comes ensures Swans win as expected in a celebration for ninety-one-year-old [[Lal Mosey]], the only survivor of their inaugural 1934 team.<ref>Lamond, David; ‘Big Day for Legend as Swans Turn It On’; ''The Game'', p. 10; from ''The West Australian'', 17 May 2004</ref>
*A classy first half before persistent rain comes ensures Swans win as expected in a celebration for ninety-one-year-old [[Lal Mosey]], the only survivor of their inaugural 1934 team.<ref>Lamond, David; ‘Big Day for Legend as Swans Turn It On’; ''The Game'', p. 10; from ''The West Australian'', 17 May 2004</ref>
*East Fremantle coach Rod Lester-Smith’s puzzling decision to move top goalkicker Scott Simister to centre half-forward and utility Jason Morgan to full-forward backfires – a fifteen-minute period in the third quarter of continuous attack that could have won the Sharks the game brings only three behinds.<ref>Townsend, John; ‘Red Faces in Goal-Square Mishap’; ''The Game'', p. 11; from ''The West Australian'', 17 May 2004</ref>}}
*East Fremantle coach Rod Lester-Smith’s puzzling decision to move top goalkicker Scott Simister to centre half-forward and utility Jason Morgan to full-forward backfires – a fifteen-minute period in the third quarter of continuous attack that could have won the Sharks the game brings only three behinds.<ref>Townsend, John; ‘Red Faces in Goal-Square Mishap’; ''The Game'', p. 11; from ''The West Australian'', 17 May 2004</ref>}}

===Round 10===
===Round 10===
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 10}}
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 10}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 22 May (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL PT}}|13.13 (91)|H|{{WAFL SF}}|11.15 (81)|[[Katanning, Western Australia|Katanning]]|1872}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 22 May (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|PT}}|13.13 (91)|H|{{WAFL|SF}}|11.15 (81)|[[Katanning, Western Australia|Katanning]]|1872}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 22 May (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL WP}}|15.14 (104)|H|{{WAFL EF}}|9.17 (71)|[[Arena Joondalup]]|1224}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 22 May (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|WP}}|15.14 (104)|H|{{WAFL|EF}}|9.17 (71)|[[Arena Joondalup]]|1224}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 22 May (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL SD}}|10.7 (67)|A|{{WAFL Per}}|11.17 (83)|[[Bassendean Oval]]|2075}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 22 May (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|SD}}|10.7 (67)|A|{{WAFL|Per}}|11.17 (83)|[[Bassendean Oval]]|2075}}
{{AFLGame|Sunday, 23 May (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL EP}}|14.9 (93)|A|{{WAFL Cla}}|14.11 (95)|[[Leederville Oval]]|2297}}
{{AFLGame|Sunday, 23 May (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|EP}}|14.9 (93)|A|{{WAFL|Cla}}|14.11 (95)|[[Leederville Oval]]|2297}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL Sub}}}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL|Sub}}}}
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=Peel win their first match for 2004 with hard running and strong tackling at the finish after South Fremantle took the lead coming from several goals down throughout most of the second half.<ref>Lamond, David; ‘Thunder Rise to Hocking Challenge’; ''The Game'', p. 10; from ''The West Australian'', 24 May 2004</ref>}}
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=Peel win their first match for 2004 with hard running and strong tackling at the finish after South Fremantle took the lead coming from several goals down throughout most of the second half.<ref>Lamond, David; ‘Thunder Rise to Hocking Challenge’; ''The Game'', p. 10; from ''The West Australian'', 24 May 2004</ref>}}

===Round 11===
===Round 11===
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 11}}
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 11}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 29 May (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL Cla}}|14.12 (96)|H|{{WAFL WP}}|10.7 (67)|[[Claremont Oval]]|1704}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 29 May (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|Cla}}|14.12 (96)|H|{{WAFL|WP}}|10.7 (67)|[[Claremont Oval]]|1704}}
{{AFLGame|Sunday, 30 May (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL PT}}|7.6 (48)|A|{{WAFL Sub}}|17.11 (113)|[[Rushton Park]]|1314}}
{{AFLGame|Sunday, 30 May (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|PT}}|7.6 (48)|A|{{WAFL|Sub}}|17.11 (113)|[[Rushton Park]]|1314}}
{{AFLGame|Sunday, 30 May (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL Per}}|15.8 (98)|H|{{WAFL SF}}|10.13 (73)|[[Lathlain Park]]|1894}}
{{AFLGame|Sunday, 30 May (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|Per}}|15.8 (98)|H|{{WAFL|SF}}|10.13 (73)|[[Lathlain Park]]|1894}}
{{AFLGame|Sunday, 30 May (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL EF}}|8.9 (57)|A|{{WAFL SD}}|11.9 (75)|[[East Fremantle Oval]]|1735|<ref>Lewis, Ross; ‘Munro Shines While Big Boss Sits on the Hill’; ''The Game'', p. 11; from ''The West Australian'', 31 May 2004</ref>}}
{{AFLGame|Sunday, 30 May (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|EF}}|8.9 (57)|A|{{WAFL|SD}}|11.9 (75)|[[East Fremantle Oval]]|1735|<ref>Lewis, Ross; ‘Munro Shines While Big Boss Sits on the Hill’; ''The Game'', p. 11; from ''The West Australian'', 31 May 2004</ref>}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL EP}}}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL|EP}}}}
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=Perth, despite lacking a ruckman after Nigel Edwards was injured, climb to third with their win over South Fremantle, who held on until late in the last quarter but were only briefly on top during the third.<ref>Townsend, John; ‘Demons Climb Another Rung’; ''The Game'', p. 11; from ''The West Australian'', 31 May 2004</ref>}}
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=Perth, despite lacking a ruckman after Nigel Edwards was injured, climb to third with their win over South Fremantle, who held on until late in the last quarter but were only briefly on top during the third.<ref>Townsend, John; ‘Demons Climb Another Rung’; ''The Game'', p. 11; from ''The West Australian'', 31 May 2004</ref>}}

===Round 12===
===Round 12===
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 12}}
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 12}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 5 June (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL Sub}}|16.6 (102)|H|{{WAFL Per}}|12.3 (75)|[[Leederville Oval]]|1495}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 5 June (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|Sub}}|16.6 (102)|H|{{WAFL|Per}}|12.3 (75)|[[Leederville Oval]]|1495}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 5 June (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL SD}}|11.8 (74)|H|{{WAFL Cla}}|3.9 (27)|[[Bassendean Oval]]|1973}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 5 June (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|SD}}|11.8 (74)|H|{{WAFL|Cla}}|3.9 (27)|[[Bassendean Oval]]|1973}}
{{AFLGame|Monday, 7 June (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL SF}}|17.11 (113)|H|{{WAFL EF}}|4.7 (31)|[[Fremantle Oval]]|4214}}
{{AFLGame|Monday, 7 June (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|SF}}|17.11 (113)|H|{{WAFL|EF}}|4.7 (31)|[[Fremantle Oval]]|4214}}
{{AFLGame|Monday, 7 June (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL WP}}|9.6 (60)|A|{{WAFL EP}}|12.14 (86)|[[Arena Joondalup]]|3922|<ref>Reid, Russell; ‘Royals Rally to Thwart Falcons’ Fight-Back’; ''The West Australian'', 8 June 2004, p. 64</ref>}}
{{AFLGame|Monday, 7 June (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|WP}}|9.6 (60)|A|{{WAFL|EP}}|12.14 (86)|[[Arena Joondalup]]|3922|<ref>Reid, Russell; ‘Royals Rally to Thwart Falcons’ Fight-Back’; ''The West Australian'', 8 June 2004, p. 64</ref>}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL PT}}}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL|PT}}}}
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=*Claremont kick the lowest score ever by a visiting team at Bassendean Oval, with the previous lowest being 4.6 (30) by Peel the previous season.<ref>[http://waflfootyfacts.net/BassendeanOval.html WAFL Footy Facts: Bassendean Oval]</ref>
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=*Claremont kick the lowest score ever by a visiting team at Bassendean Oval, with the previous lowest being 4.6 (30) by Peel the previous season.<ref>[http://waflfootyfacts.net/BassendeanOval.html WAFL Footy Facts: Bassendean Oval] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921161549/http://waflfootyfacts.net/BassendeanOval.html |date=21 September 2013 }}</ref>
*Despite losing the toss on a very windy afternoon and finishing with nineteen fit men after a physical struggle, Swans’ miserly defence completely blankets the league leader.<ref>Reid, Russell; ‘Swans Toss Tigers after Losing the Toss’; ''The Game'', p. 10; from ''The West Australian'', 7 June 2004</ref>
*Despite losing the toss on a very windy afternoon and finishing with nineteen fit men after a physical struggle, Swans’ miserly defence completely blankets the league leader.<ref>Reid, Russell; ‘Swans Toss Tigers after Losing the Toss’; ''The Game'', p. 10; from ''The West Australian'', 7 June 2004</ref>
*In front of the biggest crowd of the home-and-away season, East Fremantle show an extraordinary lack of skill and discipline in wet conditions – giving away four frees behind play whilst in possession – and South achieve six consecutive wins over their rivals for the first time since [[1917 WAFL Grand Final|the 1917 Grand Final]].<ref>Townsend, John; ‘Rampaging Bulldogs Blitz Hapless Sharks’; ''The West Australian'', 8 June 2004, p. 64</ref>}}
*In front of the biggest crowd of the home-and-away season, East Fremantle show an extraordinary lack of skill and discipline in wet conditions – giving away four frees behind play whilst in possession – and South achieve six consecutive wins over their rivals for the first time since [[1917 WAFL Grand Final|the 1917 Grand Final]].<ref>Townsend, John; ‘Rampaging Bulldogs Blitz Hapless Sharks’; ''The West Australian'', 8 June 2004, p. 64</ref>}}

===Round 13===
===Round 13===
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 13}}
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 13}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 12 June (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL Cla}}|11.4 (70)|H|{{WAFL SF}}|8.6 (54)|[[Denmark, Western Australia|Denmark]]|2500}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 12 June (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|Cla}}|11.4 (70)|H|{{WAFL|SF}}|8.6 (54)|[[Denmark, Western Australia|Denmark]]|2500}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 12 June (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL Per}}|12.18 (90)|H|{{WAFL PT}}|8.12 (60)|[[Lathlain Park]]|1148}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 12 June (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|Per}}|12.18 (90)|H|{{WAFL|PT}}|8.12 (60)|[[Lathlain Park]]|1148}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 12 June (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL EF}}|11.15 (81)|A|{{WAFL Sub}}|14.13 (97)|[[East Fremantle Oval]]|1260|<ref name="Lockyer"/>}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 12 June (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|EF}}|11.15 (81)|A|{{WAFL|Sub}}|14.13 (97)|[[East Fremantle Oval]]|1260|<ref name="Lockyer"/>}}
{{AFLGame|Sunday, 13 June (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL EP}}|9.9 (63)|A|{{WAFL SD}}|11.12 (78)|[[Leederville Oval]]|2820}}
{{AFLGame|Sunday, 13 June (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|EP}}|9.9 (63)|A|{{WAFL|SD}}|11.12 (78)|[[Leederville Oval]]|2820}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL WP}}}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL|WP}}}}
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=In a violent match won well by Perth after half-time, Peel allege Daniel Haines was struck twice and that their treatment by WAFL umpires is unfair compered to the older clubs.<ref>Lewis, Ross; ‘Irate Thunder Wants Blow-by-Blow Probe’; ''The Game'', p. 10; from ''The West Australian'', 14 June 2004</ref>}}
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=In a violent match won well by Perth after half-time, Peel allege Daniel Haines was struck twice and that their treatment by WAFL umpires is unfair compared to the older clubs.<ref>Lewis, Ross; ‘Irate Thunder Wants Blow-by-Blow Probe’; ''The Game'', p. 10; from ''The West Australian'', 14 June 2004</ref>}}

===Round 14===
===Round 14===
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 14}}
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 14}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 26 June (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL Sub}}|15.10 (100)|H|{{WAFL Cla}}|14.7 (91)|[[Leederville Oval]]|2235}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 26 June (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|Sub}}|15.10 (100)|H|{{WAFL|Cla}}|14.7 (91)|[[Leederville Oval]]|2235}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 26 June (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL SF}}|13.12 (90)|H|{{WAFL EP}}|11.10 (76)|[[Fremantle Oval]]|2130}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 26 June (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|SF}}|13.12 (90)|H|{{WAFL|EP}}|11.10 (76)|[[Fremantle Oval]]|2130}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 26 June (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL PT}}|18.5 (113)|H|{{WAFL EF}}|14.6 (90)|[[Rushton Park]]|1707}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 26 June (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|PT}}|18.5 (113)|H|{{WAFL|EF}}|14.6 (90)|[[Rushton Park]]|1707}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 26 June (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL SD}}|23.8 (146)|H|{{WAFL WP}}|10.4 (64)|[[Bassendean Oval]]|3185}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 26 June (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|SD}}|23.8 (146)|H|{{WAFL|WP}}|10.4 (64)|[[Bassendean Oval]]|3185}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL Per}}}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL|Per}}}}
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=*Swans expose West Perth’s extreme lack of height (only one player taller than 188 centimetres) and injury (only seven 2003 premiership players) to celebrate the retitling of Bassendean as ‘Steel Blue Oval’ in superb style.<ref name="High-Flying"/>
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=}}
*Unsuccessful WAFL state captain Brad Smith confirms his status as the league’s most eminent player with five first-half goals, which leaves Claremont winning the $5000 prize for best club after fourteen rounds by a single point due to the deduction of Peel’s 70 points from the opening round.<ref>Townsend, John; ‘Smith a Standout as Lions Sink Tigers’; ''The West Australian'', 28 June 2004, p. 59</ref>
*In his first WAFL game since the third round of 1999, [[Shaun McManus]] has 35 possessions despite blistered feet, but despite this and six second-quarter goals from fourth-gamer [[Andrew Wilkie]] the once proud Sharks move to the bottom as Peel prove much too consistent.<ref>Lamond, David; ‘McManus Gives His All for Sharks’; ''The West Australian'', 28 June 2004, p. 59</ref>}}

===Round 15===
===Round 15===
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 15}}
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 15}}
{{AFLGame|Friday, 2 July (6:45 pm)|{{WAFL EP}}|8.9 (57)|A|{{WAFL Sub}}|11.9 (75)|[[Leederville Oval]]|1301}}
{{AFLGame|Friday, 2 July (6:45 pm)|{{WAFL|EP}}|8.9 (57)|A|{{WAFL|Sub}}|11.9 (75)|[[Leederville Oval]]|1301}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 3 July (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL Cla}}|17.12 (114)|H|{{WAFL PT}}|6.10 (46)|[[Claremont Oval]]|1028}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 3 July (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|Cla}}|17.12 (114)|H|{{WAFL|PT}}|6.10 (46)|[[Claremont Oval]]|1028}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 3 July (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL WP}}|14.9 (93)|H|{{WAFL SF}}|11.9 (75)|[[Arena Joondalup]]|1109}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 3 July (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|WP}}|14.9 (93)|H|{{WAFL|SF}}|11.9 (75)|[[Arena Joondalup]]|1109}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 3 July (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL EF}}|11.7 (73)|A|{{WAFL Per}}|14.5 (89)|[[East Fremantle Oval]]|1359}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 3 July (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|EF}}|11.7 (73)|A|{{WAFL|Per}}|14.5 (89)|[[East Fremantle Oval]]|1359}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL SD}}}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL|SD}}}}
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=*East Perth suffer an amazing collapse after kicking 8.6 (54) to 2.2 (14) early in the second quarter, scoring only 0.3 (3) to 9.5 (59) for the rest of the match.<ref>Townsend, John; ‘Wasteful Royals Overrun by Lions’; ''The West Australian'', 3 July 2004, p. 163</ref>
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=}}
*West Perth overcome the loss of Helen Logan{{ref label|mother|a|a}} and after attending her Friday funeral they fought out the match as a "mark of respect".<ref>Lamond, David; ‘Emotional Falcons Do It Tough on and off the Field’; ''The Game'', p. 11; from ''The West Australian'', 5 July 2004</ref>
*Perth overcome a twenty-day break to move a game clear in the four with an impressive display of accuracy in tough conditions.<ref>Reid, Russell; ‘Demons in Top Four after Long Break’; ''The Game'', p. 11; from ''The West Australian'', 5 July 2004</ref>}}

===Round 16===
===Round 16===
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 16}}
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 16}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 10 July (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL PT}}|12.10 (82)|A|{{WAFL EP}}|15.7 (97)|[[Rushton Park]]|1208}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 10 July (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|PT}}|12.10 (82)|A|{{WAFL|EP}}|15.7 (97)|[[Rushton Park]]|1208}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 10 July (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL Sub}}|15.8 (98)|A|{{WAFL WP}}|16.13 (109)|[[Leederville Oval]]|1681}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 10 July (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|Sub}}|15.8 (98)|A|{{WAFL|WP}}|16.13 (109)|[[Leederville Oval]]|1681}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 10 July (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL SF}}|17.16 (118)|H|{{WAFL SD}}|9.7 (61)|[[Fremantle Oval]]|1603}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 10 July (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|SF}}|17.16 (118)|H|{{WAFL|SD}}|9.7 (61)|[[Fremantle Oval]]|1603}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 10 July (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL Per}}|4.4 (28)|A|{{WAFL Cla}}|28.18 (186)|[[Lathlain Park]]|1536}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 10 July (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|Per}}|4.4 (28)|A|{{WAFL|Cla}}|28.18 (186)|[[Lathlain Park]]|1536}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL EF}}}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL|EF}}}}
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=*West Perth coach [[Darren Harris (footballer born 1968)|Darren Harris]] attach the WAFL’s send-off rule after Simon Duckworth was ejected for using abusive language to a goal umpire. Brendon Logan nonetheless leads the Falcons to a fine win over the eventual premiers.<ref>Lewis, Ross; ‘Harris Hits Out over Send-Off’; ''The Game'', p. 11; from ''The West Australian'', 12 July 2004</ref>
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=Perth kick their lowest score against Clarmeont, beating 4.9 (33) from 1991.<ref>[http://australianfootball.com/clubs/lowest_conceded/Claremont/80/129 Claremont: Lowest Scores Conceded]</ref>}}
*Perth kick their lowest score against Claremont, beating 4.9 (33) from 1991.<ref>[http://australianfootball.com/clubs/lowest_conceded/Claremont/80/129 Claremont: Lowest Scores Conceded]</ref> the Demons had key forward Simon Rudd reported and faced a "please explain" over their supporters’ abuse of field umpires.<ref name="maul">Reid, Russell; ‘Tigers Maul Hapless Perth’; ''The Game'', p. 11; from ''The West Australian'', 12 July 2004</ref>
*Perth’s reserves – needing players from Sunday League club Kenwick to field a team at all – scored only 0.1 (1) to Claremont’s 18.24 (132), with the sole behind being rushed in the last quarter.<ref name="maul"/>}}

===Round 17===
===Round 17===
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 17}}
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 17}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 17 July (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL Cla}}|15.21 (111)|H|{{WAFL EF}}|10.8 (68)|[[Claremont Oval]]|1712}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 17 July (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|Cla}}|15.21 (111)|H|{{WAFL|EF}}|10.8 (68)|[[Claremont Oval]]|1712}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 17 July (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL Sub}}|16.3 (99)|H|{{WAFL SD}}|12.5 (77)|[[Port Hedland, Western Australia|Port Hedland]]|1434}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 17 July (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|Sub}}|16.3 (99)|H|{{WAFL|SD}}|12.5 (77)|[[Port Hedland, Western Australia|Port Hedland]]|1434}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 17 July (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL EP}}|16.13 (109)|H|{{WAFL Per}}|6.11 (47)|[[Leederville Oval]]|1946}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 17 July (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|EP}}|16.13 (109)|H|{{WAFL|Per}}|6.11 (47)|[[Leederville Oval]]|1946}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 17 July (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL WP}}|9.11 (65)|A|{{WAFL PT}}|10.11 (71)|[[Arena Joondalup]]|1414}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 17 July (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|WP}}|9.11 (65)|A|{{WAFL|PT}}|10.11 (71)|[[Arena Joondalup]]|1414}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL SF}}}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL|SF}}}}
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=*Brandon Hill becomes the first Peel player to reach one hundred WAFL/Westar Rules games and, despite possibly the mark of the year from [[Troy Longmuir]], Peel win at Joondalup for the first time – in the process virtually ending West Perth’s chances to defend their premiership.<ref>Lamond, David; ‘Win Adds to Big Work for Smith and Peel’; ''The Game'', p. 11; from ''The West Australian'', 19 July 2004</ref>
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=}}
*Despite Troy Wilson kicking 2.9 (21), Perth suffer another embarrassment and Andrew Merrington from centre half-forward scores 5.1 (31) and Demon defender Rob Rushton gives a gift goal by kicking the ball thirty metres backwards to Merrington during the third quarter.<ref>Reid, Russell; ‘Royals in Best Form of Season’; ''The Game'', p. 11; from ''The West Australian'', 19 July 2004</ref>}}

===Round 18===
===Round 18===
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 18}}
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 18}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 24 July (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL SD}}|10.8 (68)|A|{{WAFL PT}}|10.14 (74)|[[Bassendean Oval]]|1974}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 24 July (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|SD}}|10.8 (68)|A|{{WAFL|PT}}|10.14 (74)|[[Bassendean Oval]]|1974}}
{{AFLGame|Sunday, 25 July (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL SF}}|9.12 (66)|A|{{WAFL Sub}}|14.10 (94)|[[Fremantle Oval]]|1657}}
{{AFLGame|Sunday, 25 July (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|SF}}|9.12 (66)|A|{{WAFL|Sub}}|14.10 (94)|[[Fremantle Oval]]|1657}}
{{AFLGame|Sunday, 25 July (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL EP}}|14.13 (97)|H|{{WAFL EF}}|12.9 (81)|[[Leederville Oval]]|1789}}
{{AFLGame|Sunday, 25 July (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|EP}}|14.13 (97)|H|{{WAFL|EF}}|12.9 (81)|[[Leederville Oval]]|1789}}
{{AFLGame|Sunday, 25 July (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL WP}}|19.6 (120)|H|{{WAFL Per}}|11.10 (76)|[[Arena Joondalup]]|1615}}
{{AFLGame|Sunday, 25 July (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|WP}}|19.6 (120)|H|{{WAFL|Per}}|11.10 (76)|[[Arena Joondalup]]|1615}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL Cla}}}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL|Cla}}}}
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=*East Perth squander a chance for a huge victory and much-needed percentage when they let East Fremantle come back from 1.6 (12) to 7.10 (52) at half-time to only sixteen points down at the finish – leaving the Royals well behinds South Fremantle and Swan districts on percentage.<ref>Lewis, Ross; ‘Royals Squander Chance to Gain Much-Needed Percentage’; ''The Game'', p. 11; from ''The West Australian'', 26 July 2004</ref>
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=}}
*This time Subiaco hang on against South Fremantle to cement their double-chance berth against an opponent lacking key forward [[Ryan Murphy (footballer)|Ryan Murphy]].<ref>Reid, Russell; ‘Lions Bare Claws for the Double Chance’; ''The Game'', p. 11; from ''The West Australian'', 26 July 2004</ref>
*Peel record their first win at the newly christened "Steel Blue Oval" and their twenty-fifth as a WAFL/Westar Rules club via the directness of their play and Fremantle squad rover Dylan Smith’s tenacity<ref>Lewis, Ross; ‘Peel Takes Another Step up the Ladder’; ''The Game'', p. 10; from ''The West Australian'', 26 July 2004</ref> – thereby making East Fremantle almost certain of a first wooden spoon in 106 years.}}

===Round 19===
===Round 19===
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 19}}
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 19}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 31 July (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL EF}}|15.13 (103)|H|{{WAFL WP}}|12.17 (89)|[[East Fremantle Oval]]|1243}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 31 July (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|EF}}|15.13 (103)|H|{{WAFL|WP}}|12.17 (89)|[[East Fremantle Oval]]|1243}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 31 July (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL Per}}|13.11 (89)|H|{{WAFL SD}}|11.18 (84)|[[Lathlain Park]]|1456}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 31 July (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|Per}}|13.11 (89)|H|{{WAFL|SD}}|11.18 (84)|[[Lathlain Park]]|1456}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 31 July (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL PT}}|15.9 (99)|A|{{WAFL SF}}|20.11 (131)|[[Rushton Park]]|1423}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 31 July (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|PT}}|15.9 (99)|A|{{WAFL|SF}}|20.11 (131)|[[Rushton Park]]|1423}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 31 July (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL Cla}}|11.8 (74)|A|{{WAFL EP}}|12.6 (78)|[[Claremont Oval]]|1771}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 31 July (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|Cla}}|11.8 (74)|A|{{WAFL|EP}}|12.6 (78)|[[Claremont Oval]]|1771}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL Sub}}}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL|Sub}}}}
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=*Perth rebound from three humiliating losses to be only percentage out of the four as the club’s character shines through despite poor disposal and weak second and third quarters.<ref>Reid, Russell; ‘Brave Demons Back on Track’; ''The Game'', p. 11; from ''The West Australian'', 2 August 2004</ref>
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=}}
*East Perth move (though with a remaining [[bye (sports)|bye]]) to third with a surprise win led by last-minute recall Adam Pickering, who collects twenty-six possessions and shuts out John Crabb.<ref>Lewis, Ross; ‘A Royal Reply to Late Reprieve’; ''The Game'', p. 11; from ''The West Australian'', 2 August 2004</ref>
*Brent Jones’ kicking practice pays off as he kicks a towering 55-metre goal that, along with the move of Leath Teakle onto Longmuir, shouts out the West Perth attack for East Fremantle’s second win of 2004.<ref>Townsend, John; ‘Jones on Target as Sharks Find Bite’; ''The Game'', p. 10; from ''The West Australian'', 2 August 2004</ref>}}

===Round 20===
===Round 20===
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 20}}
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 20}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 7 August (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL WP}}|17.7 (109)|H|{{WAFL Cla}}|5.12 (42)|[[Arena Joondalup]]|1578}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 7 August (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|WP}}|17.7 (109)|H|{{WAFL|Cla}}|5.12 (42)|[[Arena Joondalup]]|1578}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 7 August (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL Sub}}|23.8 (146)|H|{{WAFL PT}}|9.6 (60)|[[Leederville Oval]]|1375}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 7 August (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|Sub}}|23.8 (146)|H|{{WAFL|PT}}|9.6 (60)|[[Leederville Oval]]|1375}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 7 August (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL SF}}|12.19 (91)|H|{{WAFL Per}}|7.7 (49)|[[Fremantle Oval]]|1488}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 7 August (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|SF}}|12.19 (91)|H|{{WAFL|Per}}|7.7 (49)|[[Fremantle Oval]]|1488}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 7 August (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL SD}}|23.13 (151)|H|{{WAFL EF}}|8.11 (59)|[[Bassendean Oval]]|2139}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 7 August (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|SD}}|23.13 (151)|H|{{WAFL|EF}}|8.11 (59)|[[Bassendean Oval]]|2139}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL EP}}}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL|EP}}}}
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=*After holding East Fremantle to 0.5 (5) with the wind in the opening quarter, Swan Districts kick 22.9 (141) in the final three quarters to seal the wooden spoon and end a worrying four-match slump.<ref>Reid, Russell; ‘Injured Cassan Inspires Swans to Flay Sharks’; ''The Game'', p. 11, from ''The West Australian'', 9 August 2004</ref>
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=}}
*West Perth, via exceptionally fierce tackling, kick fifteen unanswered goals until the last minute of the game to show that, though out of the running, they could still shape the four.<ref>Lamond, David; ‘West Perth Youngsters Embarrass Tigers’; ''The Game'', p. 11; from ''The West Australian'', 9 August 2004</ref>
*Perth’s lack of height, with no player above {{convert|192|cm|ftin}}, is cruelly exposed by South Fremantle, who show with their victory that they could be a danger to Claremont and Subiaco in September.<ref>Lewis, Ross; ‘Big Bulldogs Brush Off Perth’; ''The Game'', p. 11; from ''The West Australian'', 9 August 2004</ref>}}

===Round 21===
===Round 21===
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 21}}
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 21}}
{{AFLGame|Friday, 13 August (6:45 pm)|{{WAFL EP}}|11.7 (73)|A|{{WAFL WP}}|11.10 (76)|[[Leederville Oval]]|1944}}
{{AFLGame|Friday, 13 August (6:45 pm)|{{WAFL|EP}}|11.7 (73)|A|{{WAFL|WP}}|11.10 (76)|[[Leederville Oval]]|1944}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 14 August (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL EF}}|11.6 (72)|A|{{WAFL SF}}|13.19 (97)|[[East Fremantle Oval]]|2165}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 14 August (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|EF}}|11.6 (72)|A|{{WAFL|SF}}|13.19 (97)|[[East Fremantle Oval]]|2165}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 14 August (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL Cla}}|27.13 (175)|H|{{WAFL SD}}|8.7 (55)|[[Claremont Oval]]|1668}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 14 August (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|Cla}}|27.13 (175)|H|{{WAFL|SD}}|8.7 (55)|[[Claremont Oval]]|1668}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 14 August (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL Per}}|11.11 (77)|H|{{WAFL Sub}}|11.8 (74)|[[Lathlain Park]]|1324}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 14 August (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|Per}}|11.11 (77)|H|{{WAFL|Sub}}|11.8 (74)|[[Lathlain Park]]|1324|<ref>Lewis, Ross; ‘Davis Can Do for Perth’; ''The Game'', p. 11, from ''The West Australian'', 16 August 2004</ref>}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL PT}}}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL|PT}}}}
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=*Swan Districts are forced into physical training on the Sunday as they produce an insipid last three quarters where – with the advantage of the breeze in two of them – they score 6.5 (41) to Claremont’s 23.9 (147).<ref>Reid, Russell; ‘Swans Go to Water as Tigers Earn Their Stripes’; ''The Game'', p. 11, from ''The West Australian'', 16 August 2004</ref>
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=}}
*An unusual incident whereby a kick by Hayden North during time-on in the last quarter struck a seagull does not disturb South Fremantle’s matchwinning burst.<ref>Lamond, David; ‘North Gulled by a Shot on Goal’; ''The Game'', p. 11, from ''The West Australian'', 16 August 2004</ref>}}

===Round 22===
===Round 22===
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 22}}
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 22}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 21 August (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL SF}}|10.10 (70)|H|{{WAFL Cla}}|7.17 (59)|[[Fremantle Oval]]|2002}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 21 August (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|SF}}|10.10 (70)|H|{{WAFL|Cla}}|7.17 (59)|[[Fremantle Oval]]|2002}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 21 August (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL SD}}|16.7 (103)|H|{{WAFL EP}}|10.6 (66)|[[Bassendean Oval]]|2888}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 21 August (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|SD}}|16.7 (103)|H|{{WAFL|EP}}|10.6 (66)|[[Bassendean Oval]]|2888}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 21 August (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL PT}}|12.7 (79)|H|{{WAFL Per}}|10.11 (71)|[[Rushton Park]]|1378}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 21 August (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|PT}}|12.7 (79)|H|{{WAFL|Per}}|10.11 (71)|[[Rushton Park]]|1378}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 21 August (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL Sub}}|20.15 (135)|H|{{WAFL EF}}|12.8 (80)|[[Leederville Oval]]|1036}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 21 August (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|Sub}}|20.15 (135)|H|{{WAFL|EF}}|12.8 (80)|[[Leederville Oval]]|1036}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL WP}}}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL|WP}}}}
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=*With Brad Smith clearly headed for the AFL [[2005 AFL season|in 2005]],{{ref label|injury|b|b}} Subiaco found a ready-made replacement in former defender Sam Larkins, who combines with Smith for eleven goals as the Lions run away after East Fremantle looked within reach of an upset for a brief period in the third quarter.<ref>Lamond, David; ‘Subiaco Attack Looks Safe in Larkins’; ''The Game'', p. 11, from ''The West Australian'', 23 August 2004</ref>
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=}}
*An amazingly selfless act of courage by Shane Creevey allows Peel to hang on after being 39 points ahead at three-quarter time. Creevey absorbed a very hard bump from Perth forward Simon Rudd and managed to clear the ball. It was Creevey’s fiftieth match and he copped a knee in the side.<ref>Reid, Russell; ‘Brave Creevey Helps Peel Hang On’; ''The Game'', p. 11, from ''The West Australian'', 23 August 2004</ref>}}

===Round 23===
===Round 23===
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 23}}
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 23}}
{{AFLGame|Friday, 27 August (6:45 pm)|{{WAFL EP}}|11.13 (79)|H|{{WAFL SF}}|3.4 (22)|[[Leederville Oval]]|1319}}
{{AFLGame|Friday, 27 August (6:45 pm)|{{WAFL|EP}}|11.13 (79)|H|{{WAFL|SF}}|3.4 (22)|[[Leederville Oval]]|1319}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 28 August (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL EF}}|13.13 (91)|H|{{WAFL PT}}|10.7 (67)|[[East Fremantle Oval]]|1223}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 28 August (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|EF}}|13.13 (91)|H|{{WAFL|PT}}|10.7 (67)|[[East Fremantle Oval]]|1223}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 28 August (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL WP}}|12.15 (87)|A|{{WAFL SD}}|13.10 (88)|[[Arena Joondalup]]|1784}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 28 August (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|WP}}|12.15 (87)|A|{{WAFL|SD}}|13.10 (88)|[[Arena Joondalup]]|1784|<ref>Lewis, Ross; ‘[[Shane Beros|Beros]], [[Travis Edmonds|Edmonds]] Struggle to Be Fit for Finals’; ''The Game'', p. 11, from ''The West Australian'', 30 August 2004</ref>}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 28 August (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL Cla}}|10.5 (65)|A|{{WAFL Sub}}|15.10 (100)|[[Claremont Oval]]|1673}}
{{AFLGame|Saturday, 28 August (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|Cla}}|10.5 (65)|A|{{WAFL|Sub}}|15.10 (100)|[[Claremont Oval]]|1673}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL Per}}}}
{{AFLGameBye|{{WAFL|Per}}}}
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=South Fremantle’s score, on a wet night,<ref>[http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/cdio/weatherData/av?p_display_type=dataDGraph&p_stn_num=009225&p_nccObsCode=136&p_month=08&p_startYear=2004 Perth Metro (Mount Lawley) (009225) August 2004 rainfall]</ref> was their lowest open-age score since kicking 2.7 (19) against East Fremantle in Round 9, 1926, and their lowest against East Perth since kicking 1.0 (6) in Round 2, 1918.<ref>[http://australianfootball.com/clubs/lowest_scores/South%2BFremantle/223/129 South Fremantle: Lowest Scores]</ref>}}
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=*South Fremantle’s score, on a wet night,<ref>[http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/cdio/weatherData/av?p_display_type=dataDGraph&p_stn_num=009225&p_nccObsCode=136&p_month=08&p_startYear=2004 Perth Metro (Mount Lawley) (009225) August 2004 rainfall]</ref> was their lowest open-age score since kicking 2.7 (19) against East Fremantle in Round 9, 1926, and their lowest against East Perth since kicking 1.0 (6) in Round 2, 1918.<ref>[http://australianfootball.com/clubs/lowest_scores/South%2BFremantle/223/129 South Fremantle: Lowest Scores]</ref>
*Troy Wilson kicks six in the cool, wet and very windy conditions, and the Royals kicked 4.3 (27) into the wind in the third quarter<ref>‘Big Win Keeps Royals in the Mix’; ''The West Australian'', 28 August 2004, p. 186</ref> to stay in the running for the finals.
*Swan Districts had to lose by 17 or more points for the Royals to get in, but won their first victory at Joondalup since 1994 to get into the finals for the first time since that season.
*Subiaco win the minor premiership and the [[Australian dollar|$]]5,000 ‘Prestige Loans Award’,{{ref label|rounds|c|c}} but coach [[Peter German]] denies any advantage because he believes the win will simply make Claremont study the Lions’ game more intensely.<ref>Reid, Russell; ‘German Not Convinced after Grand Rehearsal’; ''The Game'', p. 11, from ''The West Australian'', 30 August 2004</ref>}}

==Ladder==
==Ladder==
{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=WDL
{{WAFL Ladder/2004}}
|title=2004 ladder
|section=Ladder
|loss_before_draw=true|for_against_style=points|use_goal_percentage=y
|winpoints=4|drawpoints=2<!--CAN CHANGE VALUE OF WINS AND DRAWS FOR DIFFERENT LEAGUES:-->

|team1=Sub|name_Sub={{WAFL|Sub}}|win_Sub=15|loss_Sub=5|draw_Sub=0|pf_Sub=1963|pa_Sub=1489|status_Sub=P
|team2=Cla|name_Cla={{WAFL|Cla}}|win_Cla=13|loss_Cla=7|draw_Cla=0|pf_Cla=1881|pa_Cla=1383
|team3=SF|name_SF={{WAFL|SF}}|win_SF=12|loss_SF=8|draw_SF=0|pf_SF=1744|pa_SF=1562
|team4=SD|name_SD={{WAFL|SD}}|win_SD=12|loss_SD=8|draw_SD=0|pf_SD=1731|pa_SD=1643
|team5=EP|name_EP={{WAFL|EP}}|win_EP=11|loss_EP=9|draw_EP=0|pf_EP=1590|pa_EP=1526
|team6=Per|name_Per={{WAFL|Per}}|win_Per=10|loss_Per=10|draw_Per=0|pf_Per=1587|pa_Per=1785
|team7=WP|name_WP={{WAFL|WP}}|win_WP=9|loss_WP=11|draw_WP=0|pf_WP=1722|pa_WP=1676
|team8=PT|name_PT={{WAFL|PT}}|win_PT=5|loss_PT=15|draw_PT=0|pf_PT=1449|pa_PT=2082
|team9=EF|name_EF={{WAFL|EF}}|win_EF=3|loss_EF=17|draw_EF=0|pf_EF=1532|pa_EF=2053
|status_text_P=Premiers
|col_Q=#CCFFCC|text_Q=
|result1=Q|result2=Q|result3=Q|result4=Q

<!--CLASSIFICATION RULES-->
|class_rules = 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.

|update=complete
|source=[http://waflfootyfacts.net/season/games/results.php?Season=2004#Ladder WAFL Footy Facts]
}}

==Finals==
==Finals==
===Semi Finals===
===Semi-finals===
{{AFLGameHeader|title=First Semi Final}}
{{AFLGameHeader|title=First semi-final}}
{{AFLGame|Sunday, 5 September (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL SF}}|12.12 (84)|A|{{WAFL SD}}|21.8 (134)|[[Subiaco Oval]]|6,223}}
{{AFLGame|Sunday, 5 September (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|SF}}|12.12 (84)|A|{{WAFL|SD}}|21.8 (134)|[[Subiaco Oval]]|6,223}}
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=In their first final since 1994 Swan Districts repel conclusively a third-quarter Bulldog challenge with six straight last quarter goals, three of them from [[Adam Lange]]. Swans wingman Craig DeCorsey kicks six goals, five in the first half.<ref>Reid, Russell; ‘Swans Kick Away when it Matters’; ''The Game'', p. 11, from ''The West Australian'', 6 September 2004</ref>}}
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=}}
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Second Semi Final}}
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Second semi-final}}
{{AFLGame|Sunday, 5 September (5:45 pm) Friday,|{{WAFL Sub}}|19.14 (128)|H|{{WAFL Cla}}|9.14 (68)|[[Subiaco Oval]]|5,773}}
{{AFLGame|Sunday, 5 September (5:45 pm)|{{WAFL|Sub}}|19.14 (128)|H|{{WAFL|Cla}}|9.14 (68)|[[Subiaco Oval]]|5,773|<ref>Lewis, Ross; ‘Lions Dominate Battle of Cats’; ''The Game'', p. 11, from ''The West Australian'', 6 September 2004</ref>}}
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=Subiaco dominate Claremont throughout the first three quarters, and Brad Smith becomes the first WAFL/Westar Rules player to kick 100 goals since [[Jon Dorotich]] in 1997.}}
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=}}

===Preliminary Final===
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Preliminary Final}}
===Preliminary final===
{{AFLGameHeader|title=Preliminary final}}
{{AFLGame|Sunday, 12 September (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL Cla}}|16.12 (108)|H|{{WAFL SD}}|9.17 (71)|[[Subiaco Oval]]|7,508}}
{{AFLGame|Sunday, 12 September (2:15 pm)|{{WAFL|Cla}}|16.12 (108)|H|{{WAFL|SD}}|9.17 (71)|[[Subiaco Oval]]|7,508|<ref>Lewis, Ross; ‘Claremont Find Finals Edge’; ''The Game'', p. 7, from ''The West Australian'', 13 September 2004</ref>}}
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=}}
{{AFLGameFooter|notes=*Claremont show up Swans’ lack of finals experience as the black and whites go from 2.0 (12) to 2.12 (24) between the 10-minute mark of the opening quarter and time on in the third.
*The final margin flatters Swan Districts who kick the last five goals.
*[[Anthony Jones (Australian rules footballer)|Anthony Jones]], normally a backman, plays a key role for the Tigers at centre half-forward.<ref>Reid, Russell; ‘Jones, Tigers Primed to Come Out Roaring’; ''The Game'', p. 7, from ''The West Australian'', 13 September 2004</ref>}}

===Grand Final===
===Grand Final===
{{Main|2004 WAFL Grand Final}}
{{Main|2004 WAFL Grand Final}}
Line 236: Line 312:
|title = 2004 WAFL Grand Final
|title = 2004 WAFL Grand Final
|date = Sunday, 19 September
|date = Sunday, 19 September
|home team = {{WAFL Sub}}
|home team = {{WAFL|Sub}}
|home Q1 = 5.3 (33)
|home Q1 = 5.3 (33)
|home Q2 = 7.6 (48)
|home Q2 = 7.6 (48)
Line 242: Line 318:
|home final = 15.9 (99)
|home final = 15.9 (99)
|home super =
|home super =
|home goals = Smith 5, Larkins 4, Cossom, Vines, Haines, Beattie, Miller, Ambrose
|home goals =
|home best = Vines, Larkins, Holmes, [[Josh Wooden|Wooden]], Cossan, Newick, Smith
|home best =
|home injuries =
|home injuries = Maloney (thigh)<br/>Beattie (concussion)
|home reports =
|home reports =
|home substitute=
|home substitute=
|winner = H
|winner = H
|away team = {{WAFL Cla}}
|away team = {{WAFL|Cla}}
|away Q1 = 2.1 (13)
|away Q1 = 2.1 (13)
|away Q2 = 4.5 (29)
|away Q2 = 4.5 (29)
Line 254: Line 330:
|away final = 7.9 (51)
|away final = 7.9 (51)
|away super =
|away super =
|away goals =
|away goals = Anthony Jones 3, Crabb, Cunningham, [[Brad Wira|Wira]], Crwford
|away best = Harding, [[Brett Jones (footballer)|Brett Jones]], Anthony Jones, Kowal, Crwaford
|away best =
|away injuries =
|away injuries = Wira (hamstring)
|away reports =
|away reports =
|away substitute=
|away substitute=
|venue = [[Subiaco Oval]]
|venue = [[Subiaco Oval]]
|crowd = 21,507
|crowd = 21,507
|report = <ref>Lewis, Ross; ‘Larkins Takes Lead Role as Lions Charge Home’; ''The Game'', p. 7, from ''The West Australian'', 20 September 2004</ref>
|report =
|umpires =
|umpires = David Corcoran, Luke Farmer, Mark Fussell
|BOG award = [[Simpson Medal]]
|BOG award = [[Simpson Medal]]
|BOG winner = [[Paul Vines]] ({{WAFL Sub}})
|BOG winner = [[Paul Vines]] ({{WAFL|Sub}})
|broadcast =
|broadcast =
|anthem =
|anthem =
|notes = Sam Larkins provides a perfect antidote to Claremont’s targetting of leading goalkicker Smith, and the Tigers do not take control at any stage, as eight unanswed goals in the second half ensure Subiaco’s first premiership since 1988.}}
|notes =}}

==Notes==
<span style="font-size:90%">{{note label|mother|a|a}}Mother of then-current players [[Brendon Logan|Brendon]] and [[Adam Logan (footballer)|Adam Logan]], and wife of former premiership player Ian Logan.<br/>{{note label|injury|b|b}}Smith [[2004 AFL Draft|was drafted]] by West Coast, but knee injuries meant he never played a single AFL match.<br/>{{note label|rounds|c|c}}The ‘Prestige Loans Award’ was given to the club with the best result between Rounds 15 and 23, during which the nine WAFL clubs played each other once.</span>

==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.wafl.com.au/games/year/2004 Official WAFL website]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20131216022312/http://www.wafl.com.au/games/year/2004 Official WAFL website]
*[http://australianfootball.com/seasons/season/WAFL/2004 West Australian Football League (WAFL), 2004]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20131216023248/http://australianfootball.com/seasons/season/WAFL/2004 West Australian Football League (WAFL), 2004]
{{WAFL seasons}}
{{WAFL seasons}}

[[Category:West Australian Football League seasons]]
[[Category:West Australian Football League seasons]]
[[Category:2004 in Australian rules football|WAFL]]
[[Category:2004 in Australian rules football|WAFL]]

Latest revision as of 01:50, 17 October 2024

2004 WAFL season
Teams9
PremiersSubiaco
8th premiership
Minor premiersSubiaco
9th minor premiership
Sandover MedallistAllistair Pickett (Subiaco)
Bernie Naylor MedallistBrad Smith (Subiaco)
Matches played94
← 2003
2005 →

The 2004 WAFL season was the 120th season of the various incarnations of the West Australian Football League.

Subiaco, after eleven unsuccessful finals campaigns including six in succession, won its first premiership since Haydn Bunton, Jr. took them to the 1988 flag, whilst Swan Districts, largely clear of their severe financial troubles from the 1990s, played finals for the first time in a decade. During late May and June, perennial tailender Perth looked like playing finals for only the fourth time since 1979, but faltered badly in July and August.

The wooden spoon went to East Fremantle for the first time since their debut season of 1898, with three wins being the Sharks’ worst record since that debut year when they won one match of sixteen (though they also lost seventeen matches in 1968 and 1970).[1] The blue and whites suffered from two narrow losses and a botched resignation by coach Rod Lester-Smith which was unannounced but definite before East Fremantle's Round 13 game against Subiaco.[2] 2003 premiers West Perth, suffering a crippling injury toll, fell to seventh, which remains their lowest position since the great revival under Jeff Gieschen in 1993.[3]

The most notable occurrence during the season was Peel Thunder being recognised with a scoreless match for the first time in any major Australian Rules league since Subiaco failed to score against South Fremantle in August 1906,[4] due to having their score of 10.10 wiped when former Fitzroy and Subiaco rover Peter Bird was ruled to have not been cleared for that opening match.[5] Despite this setback and losing their first eight matches, the Thunder managed to avoid the wooden spoon with five wins being their third-best record in eight seasons and still their equal fifth-best in the WAFL as of 2014. Peel also won the Colts premiership with a major upset against South Fremantle in the Grand Final.[6]

The season was also notable for the Lions moving their home games to the redeveloped Leederville Oval and for the first night games at that ground, both of which were viewed as resounding successes at a time when the WAFL was struggling with its reduced profile.

Home-and-away season

[edit]

Round 1

[edit]
Round 1
Friday, 19 March (6:45 pm) South Fremantle 10.8 (68) def. by West Perth 16.8 (104) Fremantle Oval (crowd: 2800)
Saturday, 20 March (2:15 pm) Perth 17.12 (114) def. East Fremantle 10.7 (67) Lathlain Park (crowd: 2092)
Saturday, 20 March (2:15 pm) Peel Thunder 0.0 (0) def. by Claremont 17.15 (117) Rushton Park (crowd: 1233)
Saturday, 20 March (6:45 pm) East Perth 12.7 (79) def. by Subiaco 16.8 (104) Leederville Oval (crowd: 3470)
Bye
Swan Districts
  • Peel’s score is officially the lowest in the WAFL since 1906, when Subiaco failed to score against South Fremantle.
  • The Thunder actually scored 10.10 (70),[7] but had their score annulled at the WAFL meeting on 13 April because Peter Bird’s clearance from South Bunbury did not apply to this opening game.[5]
  • The first night match at Leederville, between the second- and third-placed clubs of 2003, is viewed a resounding success.[8]

Round 2

[edit]
Round 2
Saturday, 27 March (2:15 pm) East Perth 15.13 (103) def. Peel Thunder 13.9 (87) Leederville Oval (crowd: 1320)
Saturday, 27 March (2:15 pm) Swan Districts 10.19 (79) def. South Fremantle 8.13 (61) Bassendean Oval (crowd: 1593)
Sunday, 28 March (2:15 pm) Claremont 14.8 (92) def. Perth 12.7 (79) Claremont Oval (crowd: 1741)
Sunday, 28 March (2:15 pm) West Perth 9.12 (66) def. by Subiaco 12.10 (82) Arena Joondalup (crowd: 2000)
Bye
East Fremantle

Round 3

[edit]
Round 3
Friday, 2 April (6:45 pm) Subiaco 19.4 (118) def. Swan Districts 11.7 (73) Leederville Oval (crowd: 2153)
Saturday, 3 April (2:15 pm) East Fremantle 14.6 (90) def. by Claremont 22.18 (150) East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 1290)
Saturday, 3 April (2:15 pm) Perth 10.14 (74) def. by East Perth 13.11 (89) Lathlain Park (crowd: 1765)
Saturday, 3 April (2:15 pm) Peel Thunder 10.12 (72) def. by West Perth 13.20 (98) Rushton Park (crowd: 1619)
Bye
South Fremantle

Round 4

[edit]
Round 4
Saturday, 10 April (2:15 pm) West Perth 14.20 (104) def. Perth 9.9 (63) Arena Joondalup (crowd: 1987)
Saturday, 10 April (2:15 pm) Swan Districts 20.10 (130) def. Peel Thunder 13.5 (83) Bassendean Oval (crowd: 1871)
Monday, 12 April (2:15 pm) South Fremantle 12.15 (87) def. Subiaco 13.8 (86) Fremantle Oval (crowd: 2077)
Monday, 12 April (2:15 pm) East Perth 13.11 (89) def. East Fremantle 13.9 (87) Leederville Oval (crowd: 2367)
Bye
Claremont
  • Swan Districts kick crucial goals during time-on of the second and third quarters to ensure a more-competitive Peel team under Garry Hocking does not approach its first win.[9]
  • Two thrilling games see the Fremantle clubs winless with Peel after four rounds, with Shark Jason Morgan denied an apparently fair goal after he toed the ball through a pack.[10]

Round 5

[edit]
Round 5
Saturday, 17 April (2:15 pm) East Fremantle 17.6 (108) def. West Perth 15.13 (103) East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 1328)
Saturday, 17 April (5:40 pm) Peel Thunder 11.14 (80) def. by South Fremantle 23.16 (154) Rushton Park (crowd: 1182)
Sunday, 18 April (2:15 pm) Claremont 12.5 (77) def. East Perth 7.12 (54) Claremont Oval (crowd: 1998)
Sunday, 18 April (2:15 pm) Perth 18.15 (123) def. Swan Districts 11.6 (72) Lathlain Park (crowd: 1690)
Bye
Subiaco

Round 6

[edit]
Round 6
Friday, 23 April (6:45 pm) Subiaco 20.9 (129) def. Peel Thunder 11.7 (73) Leederville Oval (crowd: 1592)
Saturday, 24 April (2:15 pm) Swan Districts 14.11 (95) def. East Fremantle 12.9 (81) Bassendean Oval (crowd: 1922)
Saturday, 24 April (2:15 pm) South Fremantle 18.15 (123) def. Perth 12.10 (82) Fremantle Oval (crowd: 1490)
Saturday, 24 April (2:15 pm) West Perth 10.4 (64) def. by Claremont 13.17 (95) Arena Joondalup (crowd: 1655)
Bye
East Perth

Subiaco kick fifteen goals without Peel scoring after the winless and crippled Thunder led 6.4 (40) to 2.5 (17) early in the second quarter.[11]

Round 7

[edit]
Round 7
Friday, 30 April (6:45 pm) East Perth 11.13 (79) def. West Perth 11.12 (78) Leederville Oval (crowd: 3410)
Saturday, 1 May (2:15 pm) Claremont 6.12 (48) def. by Swan Districts 8.10 (58) Claremont Oval (crowd: 1811)
Saturday, 1 May (2:15 pm) Perth 15.6 (96) def. Subiaco 8.10 (58) Cunderdin (crowd: 1678) [12]
Sunday, 2 May (2:15 pm) East Fremantle 13.9 (87) def. by South Fremantle 14.10 (94) East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 3065)
Bye
Peel Thunder
  • Shane Beros, with fifteen possessions in the last quarter, takes advantage of Swan Districts’ ability to turn the match into a stop-start affair and inflicts Claremont’s first defeat.[13]
  • Three late goals from Haydn North stop the Sharks from achieving a major upset despite another eight goals from Simister – who had now scored twenty in three matches.[14]

Round 8

[edit]
Round 8
Friday, 7 May (6:45 pm) East Perth 7.11 (53) def. by Subiaco 12.9 (81) Leederville Oval (crowd: 2447)
Saturday, 8 May (2:15 pm) Peel Thunder 14.12 (96) def. by Claremont 13.19 (97) Rushton Park (crowd: 1145)
Bye
East Fremantle, Perth, South Fremantle, Swan Districts, West Perth
  • Claremont, unsettled by movements into and out of the AFL, avoid a huge upset only via a late behind from Anthony Jones. Victorian import Cameron Gauci kicks seven for Peel.[15]
  • The result constituted the first time a WAFL/Westar Rules team had won scoring fewer goals since West Perth beat Subiaco in Round 14 of 1998.

Round 9

[edit]
Round 9
Saturday, 15 May (2:15 pm) Peel Thunder 10.8 (68) def. by Swan Districts 14.13 (97) Rushton Park (crowd: 1678)
Saturday, 15 May (2:15 pm) Subiaco 11.6 (72) def. by South Fremantle 10.16 (76) Leederville Oval (crowd: 1337)
Saturday, 15 May (2:15 pm) East Fremantle 7.13 (55) def. by East Perth 10.10 (70) East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 1347)
Sunday, 16 May (2:15 pm) Perth 12.12 (84) def. West Perth 8.14 (62) Lathlain Park (crowd: 1692)
Bye
Claremont
  • The hospitalisation of coach John Dimmer with a stomach cramp does not disturb South Fremantle and they produce an amazing last-quarter comeback where they go inside fifty metres twenty-five times to Subiaco’s three.[16]
  • A classy first half before persistent rain comes ensures Swans win as expected in a celebration for ninety-one-year-old Lal Mosey, the only survivor of their inaugural 1934 team.[17]
  • East Fremantle coach Rod Lester-Smith’s puzzling decision to move top goalkicker Scott Simister to centre half-forward and utility Jason Morgan to full-forward backfires – a fifteen-minute period in the third quarter of continuous attack that could have won the Sharks the game brings only three behinds.[18]

Round 10

[edit]
Round 10
Saturday, 22 May (2:15 pm) Peel Thunder 13.13 (91) def. South Fremantle 11.15 (81) Katanning (crowd: 1872)
Saturday, 22 May (2:15 pm) West Perth 15.14 (104) def. East Fremantle 9.17 (71) Arena Joondalup (crowd: 1224)
Saturday, 22 May (2:15 pm) Swan Districts 10.7 (67) def. by Perth 11.17 (83) Bassendean Oval (crowd: 2075)
Sunday, 23 May (2:15 pm) East Perth 14.9 (93) def. by Claremont 14.11 (95) Leederville Oval (crowd: 2297)
Bye
Subiaco

Peel win their first match for 2004 with hard running and strong tackling at the finish after South Fremantle took the lead coming from several goals down throughout most of the second half.[19]

Round 11

[edit]
Round 11
Saturday, 29 May (2:15 pm) Claremont 14.12 (96) def. West Perth 10.7 (67) Claremont Oval (crowd: 1704)
Sunday, 30 May (2:15 pm) Peel Thunder 7.6 (48) def. by Subiaco 17.11 (113) Rushton Park (crowd: 1314)
Sunday, 30 May (2:15 pm) Perth 15.8 (98) def. South Fremantle 10.13 (73) Lathlain Park (crowd: 1894)
Sunday, 30 May (2:15 pm) East Fremantle 8.9 (57) def. by Swan Districts 11.9 (75) East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 1735) [20]
Bye
East Perth

Perth, despite lacking a ruckman after Nigel Edwards was injured, climb to third with their win over South Fremantle, who held on until late in the last quarter but were only briefly on top during the third.[21]

Round 12

[edit]
Round 12
Saturday, 5 June (2:15 pm) Subiaco 16.6 (102) def. Perth 12.3 (75) Leederville Oval (crowd: 1495)
Saturday, 5 June (2:15 pm) Swan Districts 11.8 (74) def. Claremont 3.9 (27) Bassendean Oval (crowd: 1973)
Monday, 7 June (2:15 pm) South Fremantle 17.11 (113) def. East Fremantle 4.7 (31) Fremantle Oval (crowd: 4214)
Monday, 7 June (2:15 pm) West Perth 9.6 (60) def. by East Perth 12.14 (86) Arena Joondalup (crowd: 3922) [22]
Bye
Peel Thunder
  • Claremont kick the lowest score ever by a visiting team at Bassendean Oval, with the previous lowest being 4.6 (30) by Peel the previous season.[23]
  • Despite losing the toss on a very windy afternoon and finishing with nineteen fit men after a physical struggle, Swans’ miserly defence completely blankets the league leader.[24]
  • In front of the biggest crowd of the home-and-away season, East Fremantle show an extraordinary lack of skill and discipline in wet conditions – giving away four frees behind play whilst in possession – and South achieve six consecutive wins over their rivals for the first time since the 1917 Grand Final.[25]

Round 13

[edit]
Round 13
Saturday, 12 June (2:15 pm) Claremont 11.4 (70) def. South Fremantle 8.6 (54) Denmark (crowd: 2500)
Saturday, 12 June (2:15 pm) Perth 12.18 (90) def. Peel Thunder 8.12 (60) Lathlain Park (crowd: 1148)
Saturday, 12 June (2:15 pm) East Fremantle 11.15 (81) def. by Subiaco 14.13 (97) East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 1260) [2]
Sunday, 13 June (2:15 pm) East Perth 9.9 (63) def. by Swan Districts 11.12 (78) Leederville Oval (crowd: 2820)
Bye
West Perth

In a violent match won well by Perth after half-time, Peel allege Daniel Haines was struck twice and that their treatment by WAFL umpires is unfair compared to the older clubs.[26]

Round 14

[edit]
Round 14
Saturday, 26 June (2:15 pm) Subiaco 15.10 (100) def. Claremont 14.7 (91) Leederville Oval (crowd: 2235)
Saturday, 26 June (2:15 pm) South Fremantle 13.12 (90) def. East Perth 11.10 (76) Fremantle Oval (crowd: 2130)
Saturday, 26 June (2:15 pm) Peel Thunder 18.5 (113) def. East Fremantle 14.6 (90) Rushton Park (crowd: 1707)
Saturday, 26 June (2:15 pm) Swan Districts 23.8 (146) def. West Perth 10.4 (64) Bassendean Oval (crowd: 3185)
Bye
Perth
  • Swans expose West Perth’s extreme lack of height (only one player taller than 188 centimetres) and injury (only seven 2003 premiership players) to celebrate the retitling of Bassendean as ‘Steel Blue Oval’ in superb style.[3]
  • Unsuccessful WAFL state captain Brad Smith confirms his status as the league’s most eminent player with five first-half goals, which leaves Claremont winning the $5000 prize for best club after fourteen rounds by a single point due to the deduction of Peel’s 70 points from the opening round.[27]
  • In his first WAFL game since the third round of 1999, Shaun McManus has 35 possessions despite blistered feet, but despite this and six second-quarter goals from fourth-gamer Andrew Wilkie the once proud Sharks move to the bottom as Peel prove much too consistent.[28]

Round 15

[edit]
Round 15
Friday, 2 July (6:45 pm) East Perth 8.9 (57) def. by Subiaco 11.9 (75) Leederville Oval (crowd: 1301)
Saturday, 3 July (2:15 pm) Claremont 17.12 (114) def. Peel Thunder 6.10 (46) Claremont Oval (crowd: 1028)
Saturday, 3 July (2:15 pm) West Perth 14.9 (93) def. South Fremantle 11.9 (75) Arena Joondalup (crowd: 1109)
Saturday, 3 July (2:15 pm) East Fremantle 11.7 (73) def. by Perth 14.5 (89) East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 1359)
Bye
Swan Districts
  • East Perth suffer an amazing collapse after kicking 8.6 (54) to 2.2 (14) early in the second quarter, scoring only 0.3 (3) to 9.5 (59) for the rest of the match.[29]
  • West Perth overcome the loss of Helen Logan[a] and after attending her Friday funeral they fought out the match as a "mark of respect".[30]
  • Perth overcome a twenty-day break to move a game clear in the four with an impressive display of accuracy in tough conditions.[31]

Round 16

[edit]
Round 16
Saturday, 10 July (2:15 pm) Peel Thunder 12.10 (82) def. by East Perth 15.7 (97) Rushton Park (crowd: 1208)
Saturday, 10 July (2:15 pm) Subiaco 15.8 (98) def. by West Perth 16.13 (109) Leederville Oval (crowd: 1681)
Saturday, 10 July (2:15 pm) South Fremantle 17.16 (118) def. Swan Districts 9.7 (61) Fremantle Oval (crowd: 1603)
Saturday, 10 July (2:15 pm) Perth 4.4 (28) def. by Claremont 28.18 (186) Lathlain Park (crowd: 1536)
Bye
East Fremantle
  • West Perth coach Darren Harris attach the WAFL’s send-off rule after Simon Duckworth was ejected for using abusive language to a goal umpire. Brendon Logan nonetheless leads the Falcons to a fine win over the eventual premiers.[32]
  • Perth kick their lowest score against Claremont, beating 4.9 (33) from 1991.[33] the Demons had key forward Simon Rudd reported and faced a "please explain" over their supporters’ abuse of field umpires.[34]
  • Perth’s reserves – needing players from Sunday League club Kenwick to field a team at all – scored only 0.1 (1) to Claremont’s 18.24 (132), with the sole behind being rushed in the last quarter.[34]

Round 17

[edit]
Round 17
Saturday, 17 July (2:15 pm) Claremont 15.21 (111) def. East Fremantle 10.8 (68) Claremont Oval (crowd: 1712)
Saturday, 17 July (2:15 pm) Subiaco 16.3 (99) def. Swan Districts 12.5 (77) Port Hedland (crowd: 1434)
Saturday, 17 July (2:15 pm) East Perth 16.13 (109) def. Perth 6.11 (47) Leederville Oval (crowd: 1946)
Saturday, 17 July (2:15 pm) West Perth 9.11 (65) def. by Peel Thunder 10.11 (71) Arena Joondalup (crowd: 1414)
Bye
South Fremantle
  • Brandon Hill becomes the first Peel player to reach one hundred WAFL/Westar Rules games and, despite possibly the mark of the year from Troy Longmuir, Peel win at Joondalup for the first time – in the process virtually ending West Perth’s chances to defend their premiership.[35]
  • Despite Troy Wilson kicking 2.9 (21), Perth suffer another embarrassment and Andrew Merrington from centre half-forward scores 5.1 (31) and Demon defender Rob Rushton gives a gift goal by kicking the ball thirty metres backwards to Merrington during the third quarter.[36]

Round 18

[edit]
Round 18
Saturday, 24 July (2:15 pm) Swan Districts 10.8 (68) def. by Peel Thunder 10.14 (74) Bassendean Oval (crowd: 1974)
Sunday, 25 July (2:15 pm) South Fremantle 9.12 (66) def. by Subiaco 14.10 (94) Fremantle Oval (crowd: 1657)
Sunday, 25 July (2:15 pm) East Perth 14.13 (97) def. East Fremantle 12.9 (81) Leederville Oval (crowd: 1789)
Sunday, 25 July (2:15 pm) West Perth 19.6 (120) def. Perth 11.10 (76) Arena Joondalup (crowd: 1615)
Bye
Claremont
  • East Perth squander a chance for a huge victory and much-needed percentage when they let East Fremantle come back from 1.6 (12) to 7.10 (52) at half-time to only sixteen points down at the finish – leaving the Royals well behinds South Fremantle and Swan districts on percentage.[37]
  • This time Subiaco hang on against South Fremantle to cement their double-chance berth against an opponent lacking key forward Ryan Murphy.[38]
  • Peel record their first win at the newly christened "Steel Blue Oval" and their twenty-fifth as a WAFL/Westar Rules club via the directness of their play and Fremantle squad rover Dylan Smith’s tenacity[39] – thereby making East Fremantle almost certain of a first wooden spoon in 106 years.

Round 19

[edit]
Round 19
Saturday, 31 July (2:15 pm) East Fremantle 15.13 (103) def. West Perth 12.17 (89) East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 1243)
Saturday, 31 July (2:15 pm) Perth 13.11 (89) def. Swan Districts 11.18 (84) Lathlain Park (crowd: 1456)
Saturday, 31 July (2:15 pm) Peel Thunder 15.9 (99) def. by South Fremantle 20.11 (131) Rushton Park (crowd: 1423)
Saturday, 31 July (2:15 pm) Claremont 11.8 (74) def. by East Perth 12.6 (78) Claremont Oval (crowd: 1771)
Bye
Subiaco
  • Perth rebound from three humiliating losses to be only percentage out of the four as the club’s character shines through despite poor disposal and weak second and third quarters.[40]
  • East Perth move (though with a remaining bye) to third with a surprise win led by last-minute recall Adam Pickering, who collects twenty-six possessions and shuts out John Crabb.[41]
  • Brent Jones’ kicking practice pays off as he kicks a towering 55-metre goal that, along with the move of Leath Teakle onto Longmuir, shouts out the West Perth attack for East Fremantle’s second win of 2004.[42]

Round 20

[edit]
Round 20
Saturday, 7 August (2:15 pm) West Perth 17.7 (109) def. Claremont 5.12 (42) Arena Joondalup (crowd: 1578)
Saturday, 7 August (2:15 pm) Subiaco 23.8 (146) def. Peel Thunder 9.6 (60) Leederville Oval (crowd: 1375)
Saturday, 7 August (2:15 pm) South Fremantle 12.19 (91) def. Perth 7.7 (49) Fremantle Oval (crowd: 1488)
Saturday, 7 August (2:15 pm) Swan Districts 23.13 (151) def. East Fremantle 8.11 (59) Bassendean Oval (crowd: 2139)
Bye
East Perth
  • After holding East Fremantle to 0.5 (5) with the wind in the opening quarter, Swan Districts kick 22.9 (141) in the final three quarters to seal the wooden spoon and end a worrying four-match slump.[43]
  • West Perth, via exceptionally fierce tackling, kick fifteen unanswered goals until the last minute of the game to show that, though out of the running, they could still shape the four.[44]
  • Perth’s lack of height, with no player above 192 centimetres (6 ft 4 in), is cruelly exposed by South Fremantle, who show with their victory that they could be a danger to Claremont and Subiaco in September.[45]

Round 21

[edit]
Round 21
Friday, 13 August (6:45 pm) East Perth 11.7 (73) def. by West Perth 11.10 (76) Leederville Oval (crowd: 1944)
Saturday, 14 August (2:15 pm) East Fremantle 11.6 (72) def. by South Fremantle 13.19 (97) East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 2165)
Saturday, 14 August (2:15 pm) Claremont 27.13 (175) def. Swan Districts 8.7 (55) Claremont Oval (crowd: 1668)
Saturday, 14 August (2:15 pm) Perth 11.11 (77) def. Subiaco 11.8 (74) Lathlain Park (crowd: 1324) [46]
Bye
Peel Thunder
  • Swan Districts are forced into physical training on the Sunday as they produce an insipid last three quarters where – with the advantage of the breeze in two of them – they score 6.5 (41) to Claremont’s 23.9 (147).[47]
  • An unusual incident whereby a kick by Hayden North during time-on in the last quarter struck a seagull does not disturb South Fremantle’s matchwinning burst.[48]

Round 22

[edit]
Round 22
Saturday, 21 August (2:15 pm) South Fremantle 10.10 (70) def. Claremont 7.17 (59) Fremantle Oval (crowd: 2002)
Saturday, 21 August (2:15 pm) Swan Districts 16.7 (103) def. East Perth 10.6 (66) Bassendean Oval (crowd: 2888)
Saturday, 21 August (2:15 pm) Peel Thunder 12.7 (79) def. Perth 10.11 (71) Rushton Park (crowd: 1378)
Saturday, 21 August (2:15 pm) Subiaco 20.15 (135) def. East Fremantle 12.8 (80) Leederville Oval (crowd: 1036)
Bye
West Perth
  • With Brad Smith clearly headed for the AFL in 2005,[b] Subiaco found a ready-made replacement in former defender Sam Larkins, who combines with Smith for eleven goals as the Lions run away after East Fremantle looked within reach of an upset for a brief period in the third quarter.[49]
  • An amazingly selfless act of courage by Shane Creevey allows Peel to hang on after being 39 points ahead at three-quarter time. Creevey absorbed a very hard bump from Perth forward Simon Rudd and managed to clear the ball. It was Creevey’s fiftieth match and he copped a knee in the side.[50]

Round 23

[edit]
Round 23
Friday, 27 August (6:45 pm) East Perth 11.13 (79) def. South Fremantle 3.4 (22) Leederville Oval (crowd: 1319)
Saturday, 28 August (2:15 pm) East Fremantle 13.13 (91) def. Peel Thunder 10.7 (67) East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 1223)
Saturday, 28 August (2:15 pm) West Perth 12.15 (87) def. by Swan Districts 13.10 (88) Arena Joondalup (crowd: 1784) [51]
Saturday, 28 August (2:15 pm) Claremont 10.5 (65) def. by Subiaco 15.10 (100) Claremont Oval (crowd: 1673)
Bye
Perth
  • South Fremantle’s score, on a wet night,[52] was their lowest open-age score since kicking 2.7 (19) against East Fremantle in Round 9, 1926, and their lowest against East Perth since kicking 1.0 (6) in Round 2, 1918.[53]
  • Troy Wilson kicks six in the cool, wet and very windy conditions, and the Royals kicked 4.3 (27) into the wind in the third quarter[54] to stay in the running for the finals.
  • Swan Districts had to lose by 17 or more points for the Royals to get in, but won their first victory at Joondalup since 1994 to get into the finals for the first time since that season.
  • Subiaco win the minor premiership and the $5,000 ‘Prestige Loans Award’,[c] but coach Peter German denies any advantage because he believes the win will simply make Claremont study the Lions’ game more intensely.[55]

Ladder

[edit]

2004 ladder
Pos Team Pld W L D PF PA PP Pts
1 Subiaco (P) 20 15 5 0 1963 1489 131.8 60
2 Claremont 20 13 7 0 1881 1383 136.0 52
3 South Fremantle 20 12 8 0 1744 1562 111.7 48
4 Swan Districts 20 12 8 0 1731 1643 105.4 48
5 East Perth 20 11 9 0 1590 1526 104.2 44
6 Perth 20 10 10 0 1587 1785 88.9 40
7 West Perth 20 9 11 0 1722 1676 102.7 36
8 Peel Thunder 20 5 15 0 1449 2082 69.6 20
9 East Fremantle 20 3 17 0 1532 2053 74.6 12
Source: WAFL Footy Facts
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.
(P) Premiers

Finals

[edit]

Semi-finals

[edit]
First semi-final
Sunday, 5 September (2:15 pm) South Fremantle 12.12 (84) def. by Swan Districts 21.8 (134) Subiaco Oval (crowd: 6,223)

In their first final since 1994 Swan Districts repel conclusively a third-quarter Bulldog challenge with six straight last quarter goals, three of them from Adam Lange. Swans wingman Craig DeCorsey kicks six goals, five in the first half.[56]

Second semi-final
Sunday, 5 September (5:45 pm) Subiaco 19.14 (128) def. Claremont 9.14 (68) Subiaco Oval (crowd: 5,773) [57]

Subiaco dominate Claremont throughout the first three quarters, and Brad Smith becomes the first WAFL/Westar Rules player to kick 100 goals since Jon Dorotich in 1997.

Preliminary final

[edit]
Preliminary final
Sunday, 12 September (2:15 pm) Claremont 16.12 (108) def. Swan Districts 9.17 (71) Subiaco Oval (crowd: 7,508) [58]
  • Claremont show up Swans’ lack of finals experience as the black and whites go from 2.0 (12) to 2.12 (24) between the 10-minute mark of the opening quarter and time on in the third.
  • The final margin flatters Swan Districts who kick the last five goals.
  • Anthony Jones, normally a backman, plays a key role for the Tigers at centre half-forward.[59]

Grand Final

[edit]
Main article: 2004 WAFL Grand Final
2004 WAFL Grand Final
Sunday, 19 September Subiaco def. Claremont Subiaco Oval (crowd: 21,507) [60]
5.3 (33)
7.6 (48)
10.8 (68)
15.9 (99) 		Q1
Q2
Q3
Final 		2.1 (13)
4.5 (29)
5.6 (36)
7.9 (51) 		Umpires: David Corcoran, Luke Farmer, Mark Fussell
Simpson Medal: Paul Vines (Subiaco)
Smith 5, Larkins 4, Cossom, Vines, Haines, Beattie, Miller, Ambrose Goals Anthony Jones 3, Crabb, Cunningham, Wira, Crwford
Vines, Larkins, Holmes, Wooden, Cossan, Newick, Smith Best Harding, Brett Jones, Anthony Jones, Kowal, Crwaford
Maloney (thigh)
Beattie (concussion) 		Injuries Wira (hamstring)

Sam Larkins provides a perfect antidote to Claremont’s targetting of leading goalkicker Smith, and the Tigers do not take control at any stage, as eight unanswed goals in the second half ensure Subiaco’s first premiership since 1988.

Notes

[edit]

a Mother of then-current players Brendon and Adam Logan, and wife of former premiership player Ian Logan.
b Smith was drafted by West Coast, but knee injuries meant he never played a single AFL match.
c The ‘Prestige Loans Award’ was given to the club with the best result between Rounds 15 and 23, during which the nine WAFL clubs played each other once.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "WAFL Footy Facts: 1898". Archived from the original on 16 December 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  2. ^ a b Reid, Russell; ‘Lockyer Calls on Sharks’ Players to Stand Up’; The Game, p. 11; from The West Australian, 14 June 2004
  3. ^ a b Lewis, Ross; ‘High-Flying Swans too Strong for Falcons’; The West Australian, 28 June 2004, p. 58
  4. ^ WAFL Footy Facts: Lowest Scores Archived 29 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ a b Townsend, John; ‘Peel Will Plead Bird Selection Legitimate’; The Game, p. 11; from The West Australian, 22 March 2004
  6. ^ WAFL Colts Ladder Positions
  7. ^ Peel Thunder v Claremont, Round 1, 2004
  8. ^ Townsend, John; ‘Saturday Night All Right for WAFL’; Game, p. 11; from The West Australian, 22 March 2004
  9. ^ Lewis, Ross; ‘Swans Make Most of Thunder Fade-Out’; The Game, p. 11; in The West Australian, 11 April 2004
  10. ^ Townsend, John; ‘Shark Scare for Royals in Late Run’; The West Australian, 13 April 2004, p. 58
  11. ^ Townsend, John; ‘Tardy Lions Too Strong’; The West Australian, 24 April 2004; p. 181
  12. ^ Reid, Russell; ‘Demon Ruckmen Come Through Unscathed’; The Game, p. 11; from The West Australian, 3 May 2004
  13. ^ Lewis, Ross; ‘Beros Cops It Sweet’; The Game, p. 10; from The West Australian, 3 May 2004
  14. ^ Reid, Russell; ‘North Ends Sharks’ Bid for Derby Victory’; The Game, p. 11; from The West Australian, 3 May 2004
  15. ^ Lewis, Ross; ‘Unsettled Tigers Flirt with Defeat’; The Game, p. 11; from The West Australian, 10 May 2004
  16. ^ Lewis, Ross; ‘Comeback Win a Tonic for Coach’; The Game, p. 11; from The West Australian, 17 May 2004
  17. ^ Lamond, David; ‘Big Day for Legend as Swans Turn It On’; The Game, p. 10; from The West Australian, 17 May 2004
  18. ^ Townsend, John; ‘Red Faces in Goal-Square Mishap’; The Game, p. 11; from The West Australian, 17 May 2004
  19. ^ Lamond, David; ‘Thunder Rise to Hocking Challenge’; The Game, p. 10; from The West Australian, 24 May 2004
  20. ^ Lewis, Ross; ‘Munro Shines While Big Boss Sits on the Hill’; The Game, p. 11; from The West Australian, 31 May 2004
  21. ^ Townsend, John; ‘Demons Climb Another Rung’; The Game, p. 11; from The West Australian, 31 May 2004
  22. ^ Reid, Russell; ‘Royals Rally to Thwart Falcons’ Fight-Back’; The West Australian, 8 June 2004, p. 64
  23. ^ WAFL Footy Facts: Bassendean Oval Archived 21 September 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  24. ^ Reid, Russell; ‘Swans Toss Tigers after Losing the Toss’; The Game, p. 10; from The West Australian, 7 June 2004
  25. ^ Townsend, John; ‘Rampaging Bulldogs Blitz Hapless Sharks’; The West Australian, 8 June 2004, p. 64
  26. ^ Lewis, Ross; ‘Irate Thunder Wants Blow-by-Blow Probe’; The Game, p. 10; from The West Australian, 14 June 2004
  27. ^ Townsend, John; ‘Smith a Standout as Lions Sink Tigers’; The West Australian, 28 June 2004, p. 59
  28. ^ Lamond, David; ‘McManus Gives His All for Sharks’; The West Australian, 28 June 2004, p. 59
  29. ^ Townsend, John; ‘Wasteful Royals Overrun by Lions’; The West Australian, 3 July 2004, p. 163
  30. ^ Lamond, David; ‘Emotional Falcons Do It Tough on and off the Field’; The Game, p. 11; from The West Australian, 5 July 2004
  31. ^ Reid, Russell; ‘Demons in Top Four after Long Break’; The Game, p. 11; from The West Australian, 5 July 2004
  32. ^ Lewis, Ross; ‘Harris Hits Out over Send-Off’; The Game, p. 11; from The West Australian, 12 July 2004
  33. ^ Claremont: Lowest Scores Conceded
  34. ^ a b Reid, Russell; ‘Tigers Maul Hapless Perth’; The Game, p. 11; from The West Australian, 12 July 2004
  35. ^ Lamond, David; ‘Win Adds to Big Work for Smith and Peel’; The Game, p. 11; from The West Australian, 19 July 2004
  36. ^ Reid, Russell; ‘Royals in Best Form of Season’; The Game, p. 11; from The West Australian, 19 July 2004
  37. ^ Lewis, Ross; ‘Royals Squander Chance to Gain Much-Needed Percentage’; The Game, p. 11; from The West Australian, 26 July 2004
  38. ^ Reid, Russell; ‘Lions Bare Claws for the Double Chance’; The Game, p. 11; from The West Australian, 26 July 2004
  39. ^ Lewis, Ross; ‘Peel Takes Another Step up the Ladder’; The Game, p. 10; from The West Australian, 26 July 2004
  40. ^ Reid, Russell; ‘Brave Demons Back on Track’; The Game, p. 11; from The West Australian, 2 August 2004
  41. ^ Lewis, Ross; ‘A Royal Reply to Late Reprieve’; The Game, p. 11; from The West Australian, 2 August 2004
  42. ^ Townsend, John; ‘Jones on Target as Sharks Find Bite’; The Game, p. 10; from The West Australian, 2 August 2004
  43. ^ Reid, Russell; ‘Injured Cassan Inspires Swans to Flay Sharks’; The Game, p. 11, from The West Australian, 9 August 2004
  44. ^ Lamond, David; ‘West Perth Youngsters Embarrass Tigers’; The Game, p. 11; from The West Australian, 9 August 2004
  45. ^ Lewis, Ross; ‘Big Bulldogs Brush Off Perth’; The Game, p. 11; from The West Australian, 9 August 2004
  46. ^ Lewis, Ross; ‘Davis Can Do for Perth’; The Game, p. 11, from The West Australian, 16 August 2004
  47. ^ Reid, Russell; ‘Swans Go to Water as Tigers Earn Their Stripes’; The Game, p. 11, from The West Australian, 16 August 2004
  48. ^ Lamond, David; ‘North Gulled by a Shot on Goal’; The Game, p. 11, from The West Australian, 16 August 2004
  49. ^ Lamond, David; ‘Subiaco Attack Looks Safe in Larkins’; The Game, p. 11, from The West Australian, 23 August 2004
  50. ^ Reid, Russell; ‘Brave Creevey Helps Peel Hang On’; The Game, p. 11, from The West Australian, 23 August 2004
  51. ^ Lewis, Ross; ‘Beros, Edmonds Struggle to Be Fit for Finals’; The Game, p. 11, from The West Australian, 30 August 2004
  52. ^ Perth Metro (Mount Lawley) (009225) August 2004 rainfall
  53. ^ South Fremantle: Lowest Scores
  54. ^ ‘Big Win Keeps Royals in the Mix’; The West Australian, 28 August 2004, p. 186
  55. ^ Reid, Russell; ‘German Not Convinced after Grand Rehearsal’; The Game, p. 11, from The West Australian, 30 August 2004
  56. ^ Reid, Russell; ‘Swans Kick Away when it Matters’; The Game, p. 11, from The West Australian, 6 September 2004
  57. ^ Lewis, Ross; ‘Lions Dominate Battle of Cats’; The Game, p. 11, from The West Australian, 6 September 2004
  58. ^ Lewis, Ross; ‘Claremont Find Finals Edge’; The Game, p. 7, from The West Australian, 13 September 2004
  59. ^ Reid, Russell; ‘Jones, Tigers Primed to Come Out Roaring’; The Game, p. 7, from The West Australian, 13 September 2004
  60. ^ Lewis, Ross; ‘Larkins Takes Lead Role as Lions Charge Home’; The Game, p. 7, from The West Australian, 20 September 2004
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