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2004 WAFL season

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2004 WAFL season
Teams9
PremiersTemplate:WAFL Sub
8th premiership
Minor premiersTemplate:WAFL Sub
9th minor premiership
Sandover MedallistAllistair Pickett (Template:WAFL Sub)
Bernie Naylor MedallistBrad Smith (Template:WAFL Sub)
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

Round 1

Round 1
Friday, 19 March (6:45 pm) Template:WAFL SF 10.8 (68) def. by Template:WAFL WP 16.8 (104) Fremantle Oval (crowd: 2800)
Saturday, 20 March (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL Per 17.12 (114) def. Template:WAFL EF 10.7 (67) Lathlain Park (crowd: 2092)
Saturday, 20 March (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL PT 0.0 (0) def. by Template:WAFL Cla 17.15 (117) Rushton Park (crowd: 1233)
Saturday, 20 March (6:45 pm) Template:WAFL EP 12.7 (79) def. by Template:WAFL Sub 16.8 (104) Leederville Oval (crowd: 3470)
Bye
Template:WAFL SD
  • 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

Round 2
Saturday, 27 March (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL EP 15.13 (103) def. Template:WAFL PT 13.9 (87) Leederville Oval (crowd: 1320)
Saturday, 27 March (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL SD 10.19 (79) def. Template:WAFL SF 8.13 (61) Bassendean Oval (crowd: 1593)
Sunday, 28 March (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL Cla 14.8 (92) def. Template:WAFL Per 12.7 (79) Claremont Oval (crowd: 1741)
Sunday, 28 March (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL WP 9.12 (66) def. by Template:WAFL Sub 12.10 (82) Arena Joondalup (crowd: 2000)
Bye
Template:WAFL EF

Round 3

Round 3
Friday, 2 April (6:45 pm) Template:WAFL Sub 19.4 (118) def. Template:WAFL SD 11.7 (73) Leederville Oval (crowd: 2153)
Saturday, 3 April (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL EF 14.6 (90) def. by Template:WAFL Cla 22.18 (150) East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 1290)
Saturday, 3 April (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL Per 10.14 (74) def. by Template:WAFL EP 13.11 (89) Lathlain Park (crowd: 1765)
Saturday, 3 April (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL PT 10.12 (72) def. by Template:WAFL WP 13.20 (98) Rushton Park (crowd: 1619)
Bye
Template:WAFL SF

Round 4

Round 4
Saturday, 10 April (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL WP 14.20 (104) def. Template:WAFL Per 9.9 (63) Arena Joondalup (crowd: 1987)
Saturday, 10 April (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL SD 20.10 (130) def. Template:WAFL PT 13.5 (83) Bassendean Oval (crowd: 1871)
Monday, 12 April (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL SF 12.15 (87) def. Template:WAFL Sub 13.8 (86) Fremantle Oval (crowd: 2077)
Monday, 12 April (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL EP 13.11 (89) def. Template:WAFL EF 13.9 (87) Leederville Oval (crowd: 2367)
Bye
Template:WAFL Cla
  • 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

Round 5
Saturday, 17 April (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL EF 17.6 (108) def. Template:WAFL WP 15.13 (103) East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 1328)
Saturday, 17 April (5:40 pm) Template:WAFL PT 11.14 (80) def. by Template:WAFL SF 23.16 (154) Rushton Park (crowd: 1182)
Sunday, 18 April (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL Cla 12.5 (77) def. Template:WAFL EP 7.12 (54) Claremont Oval (crowd: 1998)
Sunday, 18 April (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL Per 18.15 (123) def. Template:WAFL SD 11.6 (72) Lathlain Park (crowd: 1690)
Bye
Template:WAFL Sub

Round 6

Round 6
Friday, 23 April (6:45 pm) Template:WAFL Sub 20.9 (129) def. Template:WAFL PT 11.7 (73) Leederville Oval (crowd: 1592)
Saturday, 24 April (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL SD 14.11 (95) def. Template:WAFL EF 12.9 (81) Bassendean Oval (crowd: 1922)
Saturday, 24 April (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL SF 18.15 (123) def. Template:WAFL Per 12.10 (82) Fremantle Oval (crowd: 1490)
Saturday, 24 April (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL WP 10.4 (64) def. by Template:WAFL Cla 13.17 (95) Arena Joondalup (crowd: 1655)
Bye
Template:WAFL EP

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

Round 7
Friday, 30 April (6:45 pm) Template:WAFL EP 11.13 (79) def. Template:WAFL WP 11.12 (78) Leederville Oval (crowd: 3410)
Saturday, 1 May (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL Cla 6.12 (48) def. by Template:WAFL SD 8.10 (58) Claremont Oval (crowd: 1811)
Saturday, 1 May (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL Per 15.6 (96) def. Template:WAFL Sub 8.10 (58) Cunderdin (crowd: 1678) [12]
Sunday, 2 May (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL EF 13.9 (87) def. by Template:WAFL SF 14.10 (94) East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 3065)
Bye
Template:WAFL PT
  • 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

Round 8
Friday, 7 May (6:45 pm) Template:WAFL EP 7.11 (53) def. by Template:WAFL Sub 12.9 (81) Leederville Oval (crowd: 2447)
Saturday, 8 May (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL PT 14.12 (96) def. by Template:WAFL Cla 13.19 (97) Rushton Park (crowd: 1145)
Bye
Template:WAFL EF, Template:WAFL Per, Template:WAFL SF, Template:WAFL SD, Template:WAFL WP
  • 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

Round 9
Saturday, 15 May (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL PT 10.8 (68) def. by Template:WAFL SD 14.13 (97) Rushton Park (crowd: 1678)
Saturday, 15 May (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL Sub 11.6 (72) def. by Template:WAFL SF 10.16 (76) Leederville Oval (crowd: 1337)
Saturday, 15 May (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL EF 7.13 (55) def. by Template:WAFL EP 10.10 (70) East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 1347)
Sunday, 16 May (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL Per 12.12 (84) def. Template:WAFL WP 8.14 (62) Lathlain Park (crowd: 1692)
Bye
Template:WAFL Cla
  • 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

Round 10
Saturday, 22 May (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL PT 13.13 (91) def. Template:WAFL SF 11.15 (81) Katanning (crowd: 1872)
Saturday, 22 May (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL WP 15.14 (104) def. Template:WAFL EF 9.17 (71) Arena Joondalup (crowd: 1224)
Saturday, 22 May (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL SD 10.7 (67) def. by Template:WAFL Per 11.17 (83) Bassendean Oval (crowd: 2075)
Sunday, 23 May (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL EP 14.9 (93) def. by Template:WAFL Cla 14.11 (95) Leederville Oval (crowd: 2297)
Bye
Template:WAFL Sub

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

Round 11
Saturday, 29 May (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL Cla 14.12 (96) def. Template:WAFL WP 10.7 (67) Claremont Oval (crowd: 1704)
Sunday, 30 May (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL PT 7.6 (48) def. by Template:WAFL Sub 17.11 (113) Rushton Park (crowd: 1314)
Sunday, 30 May (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL Per 15.8 (98) def. Template:WAFL SF 10.13 (73) Lathlain Park (crowd: 1894)
Sunday, 30 May (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL EF 8.9 (57) def. by Template:WAFL SD 11.9 (75) East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 1735) [20]
Bye
Template:WAFL EP

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

Round 12
Saturday, 5 June (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL Sub 16.6 (102) def. Template:WAFL Per 12.3 (75) Leederville Oval (crowd: 1495)
Saturday, 5 June (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL SD 11.8 (74) def. Template:WAFL Cla 3.9 (27) Bassendean Oval (crowd: 1973)
Monday, 7 June (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL SF 17.11 (113) def. Template:WAFL EF 4.7 (31) Fremantle Oval (crowd: 4214)
Monday, 7 June (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL WP 9.6 (60) def. by Template:WAFL EP 12.14 (86) Arena Joondalup (crowd: 3922) [22]
Bye
Template:WAFL PT
  • 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

Round 13
Saturday, 12 June (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL Cla 11.4 (70) def. Template:WAFL SF 8.6 (54) Denmark (crowd: 2500)
Saturday, 12 June (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL Per 12.18 (90) def. Template:WAFL PT 8.12 (60) Lathlain Park (crowd: 1148)
Saturday, 12 June (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL EF 11.15 (81) def. by Template:WAFL Sub 14.13 (97) East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 1260) [2]
Sunday, 13 June (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL EP 9.9 (63) def. by Template:WAFL SD 11.12 (78) Leederville Oval (crowd: 2820)
Bye
Template:WAFL WP

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

Round 14
Saturday, 26 June (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL Sub 15.10 (100) def. Template:WAFL Cla 14.7 (91) Leederville Oval (crowd: 2235)
Saturday, 26 June (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL SF 13.12 (90) def. Template:WAFL EP 11.10 (76) Fremantle Oval (crowd: 2130)
Saturday, 26 June (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL PT 18.5 (113) def. Template:WAFL EF 14.6 (90) Rushton Park (crowd: 1707)
Saturday, 26 June (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL SD 23.8 (146) def. Template:WAFL WP 10.4 (64) Bassendean Oval (crowd: 3185)
Bye
Template:WAFL Per
  • 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

Round 15
Friday, 2 July (6:45 pm) Template:WAFL EP 8.9 (57) def. by Template:WAFL Sub 11.9 (75) Leederville Oval (crowd: 1301)
Saturday, 3 July (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL Cla 17.12 (114) def. Template:WAFL PT 6.10 (46) Claremont Oval (crowd: 1028)
Saturday, 3 July (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL WP 14.9 (93) def. Template:WAFL SF 11.9 (75) Arena Joondalup (crowd: 1109)
Saturday, 3 July (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL EF 11.7 (73) def. by Template:WAFL Per 14.5 (89) East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 1359)
Bye
Template:WAFL SD
  • 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

Round 16
Saturday, 10 July (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL PT 12.10 (82) def. by Template:WAFL EP 15.7 (97) Rushton Park (crowd: 1208)
Saturday, 10 July (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL Sub 15.8 (98) def. by Template:WAFL WP 16.13 (109) Leederville Oval (crowd: 1681)
Saturday, 10 July (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL SF 17.16 (118) def. Template:WAFL SD 9.7 (61) Fremantle Oval (crowd: 1603)
Saturday, 10 July (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL Per 4.4 (28) def. by Template:WAFL Cla 28.18 (186) Lathlain Park (crowd: 1536)
Bye
Template:WAFL EF
  • 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

Round 17
Saturday, 17 July (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL Cla 15.21 (111) def. Template:WAFL EF 10.8 (68) Claremont Oval (crowd: 1712)
Saturday, 17 July (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL Sub 16.3 (99) def. Template:WAFL SD 12.5 (77) Port Hedland (crowd: 1434)
Saturday, 17 July (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL EP 16.13 (109) def. Template:WAFL Per 6.11 (47) Leederville Oval (crowd: 1946)
Saturday, 17 July (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL WP 9.11 (65) def. by Template:WAFL PT 10.11 (71) Arena Joondalup (crowd: 1414)
Bye
Template:WAFL SF
  • 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

Round 18
Saturday, 24 July (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL SD 10.8 (68) def. by Template:WAFL PT 10.14 (74) Bassendean Oval (crowd: 1974)
Sunday, 25 July (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL SF 9.12 (66) def. by Template:WAFL Sub 14.10 (94) Fremantle Oval (crowd: 1657)
Sunday, 25 July (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL EP 14.13 (97) def. Template:WAFL EF 12.9 (81) Leederville Oval (crowd: 1789)
Sunday, 25 July (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL WP 19.6 (120) def. Template:WAFL Per 11.10 (76) Arena Joondalup (crowd: 1615)
Bye
Template:WAFL Cla
  • 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

Round 19
Saturday, 31 July (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL EF 15.13 (103) def. Template:WAFL WP 12.17 (89) East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 1243)
Saturday, 31 July (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL Per 13.11 (89) def. Template:WAFL SD 11.18 (84) Lathlain Park (crowd: 1456)
Saturday, 31 July (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL PT 15.9 (99) def. by Template:WAFL SF 20.11 (131) Rushton Park (crowd: 1423)
Saturday, 31 July (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL Cla 11.8 (74) def. by Template:WAFL EP 12.6 (78) Claremont Oval (crowd: 1771)
Bye
Template:WAFL Sub
  • 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

Round 20
Saturday, 7 August (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL WP 17.7 (109) def. Template:WAFL Cla 5.12 (42) Arena Joondalup (crowd: 1578)
Saturday, 7 August (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL Sub 23.8 (146) def. Template:WAFL PT 9.6 (60) Leederville Oval (crowd: 1375)
Saturday, 7 August (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL SF 12.19 (91) def. Template:WAFL Per 7.7 (49) Fremantle Oval (crowd: 1488)
Saturday, 7 August (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL SD 23.13 (151) def. Template:WAFL EF 8.11 (59) Bassendean Oval (crowd: 2139)
Bye
Template:WAFL EP
  • 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

Round 21
Friday, 13 August (6:45 pm) Template:WAFL EP 11.7 (73) def. by Template:WAFL WP 11.10 (76) Leederville Oval (crowd: 1944)
Saturday, 14 August (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL EF 11.6 (72) def. by Template:WAFL SF 13.19 (97) East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 2165)
Saturday, 14 August (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL Cla 27.13 (175) def. Template:WAFL SD 8.7 (55) Claremont Oval (crowd: 1668)
Saturday, 14 August (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL Per 11.11 (77) def. Template:WAFL Sub 11.8 (74) Lathlain Park (crowd: 1324) [46]
Bye
Template:WAFL PT
  • 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

Round 22
Saturday, 21 August (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL SF 10.10 (70) def. Template:WAFL Cla 7.17 (59) Fremantle Oval (crowd: 2002)
Saturday, 21 August (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL SD 16.7 (103) def. Template:WAFL EP 10.6 (66) Bassendean Oval (crowd: 2888)
Saturday, 21 August (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL PT 12.7 (79) def. Template:WAFL Per 10.11 (71) Rushton Park (crowd: 1378)
Saturday, 21 August (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL Sub 20.15 (135) def. Template:WAFL EF 12.8 (80) Leederville Oval (crowd: 1036)
Bye
Template:WAFL WP
  • 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

Round 23
Friday, 27 August (6:45 pm) Template:WAFL EP 11.13 (79) def. Template:WAFL SF 3.4 (22) Leederville Oval (crowd: 1319)
Saturday, 28 August (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL EF 13.13 (91) def. Template:WAFL PT 10.7 (67) East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 1223)
Saturday, 28 August (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL WP 12.15 (87) def. by Template:WAFL SD 13.10 (88) Arena Joondalup (crowd: 1784) [51]
Saturday, 28 August (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL Cla 10.5 (65) def. by Template:WAFL Sub 15.10 (100) Claremont Oval (crowd: 1673)
Bye
Template:WAFL Per
  • 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

Template:WAFLLadderHeader Template:AFLLadderLine Template:AFLLadderLine Template:AFLLadderLine Template:AFLLadderLine Template:AFLLadderLine Template:AFLLadderLine Template:AFLLadderLine Template:AFLLadderLine Template:AFLLadderLine Template:WAFLLadderFooter

Finals

Semi Finals

First Semi Final
Sunday, 5 September (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL SF 12.12 (84) def. by Template:WAFL SD 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) Template:WAFL Sub 19.14 (128) def. Template:WAFL Cla 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

Preliminary Final
Sunday, 12 September (2:15 pm) Template:WAFL Cla 16.12 (108) def. Template:WAFL SD 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

Main article: 2004 WAFL Grand Final
2004 WAFL Grand Final
Sunday, 19 September Template:WAFL Sub def. Template:WAFL Cla 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 (Template:WAFL Sub)
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

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

  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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