The 1944 WANFL season was the 60th season of the various incarnations of the Western Australian National Football League. Consequent upon the improved fortunes of the Allies in the Pacific War,[1] the league’s decision to restrict football to those under nineteen as of 1 October become somewhat controversial, but the WANFL after much debate during the early weeks of the season decided it would not raise the age limit or even as West Perth suggested allow four 1943 players over the limit to play.[2] This meant that a large number of players who had been mainstays in the 1942 and 1943 seasons were no longer eligible to play, and as in 1943 a number of players still eligible were erratically available due to service in the war.
The 1944 season is notable for the first perfect season in the history of Western Australian league football, by East Perth. Under the coaching of former forward Cecil Rowland an exceptionally powerful core of players was developed from 1942 and 1943 mainstays including Frank Allen, Ken Wimbridge, Ray Perry, John “Todge” Campbell and Ron Brentnall, joined by outstanding talents in full-forward Alan Watts, key position player Jim Washbourne and injury-plagued but talented rover Norm Gibbney.[3] So well-equipped were the Royals that they did not suffer during the finals from the loss of best-and-fairest Campbell, ruckman Brentnall and Ron Frankish – instead fitting Northam defender Jack Leadbitter and Wesley rover Ernie England for their only games of the season and losing nothing in efficiency.[3] At the other end of the ladder, South Fremantle, already last in 1943, lost their only class players in Frank Treasure and Erik Eriksson and became the first team since Midland Junction in 1917 to lose every match. The red and whites in fact never led during the second half in any of their nineteen matches, and officials were so desperate that a meeting of former players was called mid-season to revive the club’s on-field fortunes[4] – to no effect.
Apart from South Fremantle’s winless season, Claremont suffered a huge loss when Claremont Oval, which had been their home ground since 1927, had its grandstand completely burnt down in a fire at 5:11 a.m. on 28 July.[5] In the fire, which was estimated to have cost a total of £3000, all the records, jerseys and training equipment were lost,[1] and Claremont were forced to play home matches at Subiaco Oval and the W.A.C.A. until 1948,[a] despite financial donations by Collingwood to help rebuild the grandstand.[6] The Tigers had to take the field in several games wearing East Perth guernseys, and suffered from the loss of key players such as Robin Farmer, consequently falling to second-last on the ladder.
The biggest winning margin in WA(N)FL history, beating North Fremantle’s 164-point win over Subiaco from 1902.[11]
The highest score in WANFL history, beating Claremont’s 33.22 (220) against Swan Districts in 1940.[12]
The most points in the first quarter of a WANFL match – a record beaten later in the season.[13]
South Fremantle become the first WA(N)FL team to lose three consecutive games by over 100 points – an ignominy they would suffer twice further this season but which no other club would equal until 1958.[14]
Alan Watts kicked sixteen goals for East Perth, which remains a record for the Royals in any match,[15] and forward pocket Harry Outridge and “Todge” Campbell kicked eight apiece.
Following upon their record score, East Perth are nearly brought to earth by West Perth, with only a late goal from Outridge ensuring a victory that would prove their closest shave for the season.
A burst of five goals in ten minutes places South Fremantle within four points of their local rivals, but they fail to go on and this proves their solitary chance of a win for the season.
Despite the absence of key rovers David Muir and Frank Evans, Perth kick 7.4 (46) against the powerful Royal defence, but with Campbell kicking eight goals are gradually overwhelmed.
Subiaco’s score, as South Fremantle return to their exceptionally weak opening-round form, was their highest in the WA(N)FL until 1984.[32] Ernie Tonkinson kicked eleven goals and Hughes eight.
In shocking conditions due to heavy rain[45] and strong winds, South Fremantle, devoid of talent in attack all season, for the first of three times kick the lowest WA(N)FL score since Subiaco’s 1.2 (8) against the Royals in 1920.[46]
For the second consecutive week South Fremantle kick the lowest WA(N)FL score since 1920,[46] and as the lowest score against Swan Districts it was unequalled until Claremont kicked 1.7 (13) in 1996.[51]
Swan Districts draw within one point of the unbeaten Royals with a rugged burst led by centreman Davies, before a goal with half a minute remaining keeps the Royals unbeaten.
South Fremantle, for the second occasion, suffer three consecutive 100-point or more losses, as early resistance by their defence evaporated after quarter-time.[14]
East Perth’s eleventh consecutive win would prove the last match at Claremont Oval until the opening round of 1948,[1] owing to the Claremont Oval fire the following Friday.[5]
A fine comeback in the last quarter after Subiaco take the last in third gives East Perth the longest winning sequence to this point in WA(N)FL history.[68]
For the third time in eight matches, South Fremantle kick the lowest score since 1920.[46] In the process, the red and whites become the first WA(N)FL team since East Perth themselves against West Perth in 1913 to fail to score in the first half, and for the third time in 1944 lose three successive matches by over a hundred points.[14]
Despite starting the final quarter four points ahead and scoring only 0.7 (7), East Fremantle hold off West Perth and secure the double chance in the finals.
Despite the absence of four key players, East Perth restrict Old Easts to 1.1 (7) after half-time to go through the home-and-away season undefeated, and Alan Watts with eight majors beats “Bonny” Campbell’s 1926 record of eighty-nine goals.
West Perth’s early inaccuracy keeps the Redlegs in a match that culminates in a thrilling struggle where the lead changes several times in the last few minutes before finishing in a tie.
A brilliant last quarter into the wind, whereby the Cardinals are held scoreless, gives Perth a comfortable win in a third successive battle with West Perth.
With a more efficient forward line, and a defence bolstered by Northam recruit Jack Leadbitter, East Perth win their twentieth consecutive match for the season.
East Perth complete a flawless season with a convincing win driven by overwhelming ruck superiority and polished flawed play that contrasts with East Fremantle’s 2.13 (25) – including ten consecutive behinds – in the first half.
Notes
a The Claremont Showgrounds, which would ordinarily have been available as an alternative Tiger home venue, were commandeered by the military between 1940 and 1944, and themselves burned in a fire in January 1945.[98]
References
^ abcCasey, Kevin (1995); The Tigers’ Tale: the origins and history of the Claremont Football Club; Claremont Football Club; pp. 55-56. ISBN 0646264982
^‘Football: Age-Limit Question – League President’s Views’; The West Australian, 19 May 1944, p. 2
^ abEast, Alan (editor); The Royals – 100 Years of Tradition: A History of the East Perth Football Club; pp. 54-57. Published 2006 by East Perth Football Club, Limited
^See ‘Easy Task for E. Perth’; The Daily News, 30 June 1944, p.9
^ ab‘Claremont Fire – Oval Grandstand Lost: Football Club Suffers’; The West Australian, 29 July 1944, p. 3
^‘Collingwood Sends Cheque to Claremont’; The Daily News, 19 August 1944, p. 4
