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1946 WANFL season

The 1946 WANFL season was the 62nd season of senior football in Perth, Western Australia.

With the background of the Pacific War almost entirely removed,[note 1] the WANFL entered a period of exceptional growth that was to last until the middle 1960s.[1] Attendances reached levels never seen in the pre-war WANFL, highlighted by two record crowds between grand finalists East Fremantle and West Perth. The league also restored the seconds competition, which had been placed into recess in 1941, as a “colts” competition for players under 25.

1946 is most famous for Old Easts’ feat of a perfect season,[note 2] winning all twenty-one of its matches to finish the season with a winning streak of thirty-one consecutive games, easily the longest in the history of the competition.

There was a controversy in the third-last round when East Fremantle played Subiaco and, owing to a number of injuries, played colts wingman Harry Townsend in the league team, although regulations did not permit a colts player to start in the league team on the same day:[2] a protest by Subiaco was dismissed on a technicality. Old Easts’ perfect season was only slightly marred by losing to third-placed VFL club Collingwood in an exhibition match at Subiaco Oval on October 15.[3]

1946 also saw Perth, who had been in the doldrums since the end of World War I, begin its rise to power with the return of Merv McIntosh. The Redlegs stood third with two games remaining but lost a decisive match to Subiaco, who played open-age finals for the first time in a decade, in spite of being very weak in attack and the failure of their protest against Townsend.

Swan Districts, who had reached the finals in 1945, fell to second-last place and began its bleakest period on record, as well as one of the bleakest in elite Australian rules football history. Until Haydn Bunton, Jr. joined the club in 1961, Swans were never to win more than seven games in a season, would receive seven wooden spoons and never finish higher than sixth. Overall Swan Districts won just 61 and drew one of 301 games played between 1946 and 1960, for a success rate of just 20.43 percent.[4] Despite this, Swans won their first premiership of any kind in the seconds competition.

Despite the return of Bernie Naylor, who went far beyond his 1941 promise with 131 goals, South Fremantle fell to fourth owing to injuries and business commitments, one of which caused their coach to resign while their form was at its best.

Perth and West Perth toured Sydney and Melbourne respectively during the first three weeks of August,[5] and played each other four times during the season.

Home-and-away season

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

Round 4

Round 5

Round 6 (Foundation Day)

Round 7 (King’s Birthday)

Round 8

Round 9

Round 10

Round 11

Round 12

Round 13

Round 14

Round 15

Round 16

Round 17

Round 18

Round 19

Ladder

Source: WAFL Footy Facts
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.
(P) Premiers

Finals

First semi-final

Second semi-final

Preliminary final

Grand Final

Collingwood Tour Match

Notes

  1. ^ A few significant players such as Ray Scott, Fred Buttsworth and Tim Barker remained in the forces until 1947, whilst some others such as Ray Schofield returned while the season was ongoing.
  2. ^ No other senior WANFL team until 2018 when Subiaco did it had ever achieved even a perfect home-and-away season, though East Perth in the under-age competition of 1944 equalled the feat of East Fremantle in 1946. Since 1901, the only other clubs with one loss in a home-and-away season have been Claremont in 1987 and Subiaco in 2008, 2017 (when they lost the Grand Final) and 2019.
  3. ^ The intervening 948-game gap constitutes the longest non-occurrence of draws in any major Australian Rules competition.

References

  1. ^ See Barker, Anthony J. Behind the Play: A History of Football in Western Australia. pp. 87–131, 163. ISBN 0975242709.
  2. ^ a b "Subiaco Protests". The Daily News. 26 August 1946. p. 2.
  3. ^ a b "Collingwood Wins – Early Lead Held: Perfect Handball Displayed". The West Australian. 16 October 1946. p. 5.
  4. ^ See East, Alan, ed. (2009). 75 Years of Black and White. Osborne Park, Western Australia: Alan East. p. 213.
  5. ^ a b (Follower) (29 July 1946). "League Football – East Perth Now Fourth". The West Australian. p. 4.
  6. ^ "A Strong Finish: Subiaco Improves". The West Australian. 29 April 1946. p. 4.
  7. ^ "Teamwork Tells: West Perth Superior". The West Australian. 29 April 1946. p. 4.
  8. ^ "A Balanced Side: South Fremantle's Efficiency". The West Australian. 29 April 1946. p. 4.
  9. ^ "Pace and System – Heady Play by East Fremantle". The West Australian. 29 April 1946. p. 4.
  10. ^ "A Great Recovery: West Perth Brilliant". The West Australian. 6 May 1946. p. 4.
  11. ^ "Creditable Form: Swan Districts Improves". The West Australian. 6 May 1946. p. 4.
  12. ^ "A Strong Rally: Perth Beats Claremont". The West Australian. 6 May 1946. p. 4.
  13. ^ "Subiaco Defeated: E. Fremantle Forwards Alert". The West Australian. 6 May 1946. p. 4.
  14. ^ (Follower) (6 May 1946). "Football Surprises – West Perth Win at Fremantle". The West Australian. p. 4.
  15. ^ "A 23-point Win: West Perth Kicks Poorly". The West Australian. 13 May 1946. p. 4.
  16. ^ "An Easy Victory: South Fremantle Strong". The West Australian. 13 May 1946. p. 4.
  17. ^ "A Keen Game – Perth Beats Subiaco". The West Australian. 13 May 1946. p. 4.
  18. ^ "Strong Rucking – East Fremantle Hard-Pressed". The West Australian. 13 May 1946. p. 4.
  19. ^ "Second Half Win: S. Fremantle in Form". The West Australian. 20 May 1946. p. 5.
  20. ^ "Honours Even: An Exciting Finish". The West Australian. 20 May 1946. p. 5.
  21. ^ "Claremoent Fails: Subiaco's Superiority". The West Australian. 20 May 1946. p. 5.
  22. ^ "Still Unbeaten: E. Fremantle Fast". The West Australian. 20 May 1946. p. 5.
  23. ^ "A Runaway Win: West Perth Too Strong". The West Australian. 27 May 1946. p. 5.
  24. ^ "Perth's Victory: Seven Goals to Tucker". The West Australian. 27 May 1946. p. 5.
  25. ^ "An Even Tussle – East Perth Steady". The West Australian. 27 May 1946. p. 5.
  26. ^ "Good Teamwork: East Fremantle's Success". The West Australian. 27 May 1946. p. 5.
  27. ^ "League Football: East Fremantle Impresses – Record Crowd". The West Australian. 27 May 1946. p. 5.
  28. ^ a b "West Australian Football League: Biggest Home-and-Away Crowds". Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
  29. ^ "Form Reversal – Subiaco Improves". The West Australian. 3 June 1946. p. 4.
  30. ^ "High Scoring: East Perth Superior". The West Australian. 3 June 1946. p. 4.
  31. ^ "First Victory: Claremont's Third Quarter Burst". The West Australian. 3 June 1946. p. 4.
  32. ^ "Record Football Crowd – Proof of Strength". The West Australian. 4 June 1946. p. 3.
  33. ^ "Midweek Racing – Onus on States". The West Australian. 2 August 1945. p. 2.
  34. ^ WAFL Footy Facts: Claremont – Consecutive Games Lost
  35. ^ "Perth's Victory: Recovery Against Wind". The West Australian. 10 June 1946. p. 4.
  36. ^ "A Late Burst: West Perth Scores Heavily". The West Australian. 10 June 1946. p. 4.
  37. ^ "91-Point Win: East Fremantle's Skill". The West Australian. 10 June 1946. p. 4.
  38. ^ (Follower) (11 June 1946). "League Football – East Perth's Win: Subiaco Forwards Fail". The West Australian. p. 3.
  39. ^ "Two Resignations: Coach and Captain – South Fremantle Decisions". The West Australian. 10 June 1946. p. 4.
  40. ^ "Captain's Effort – Williams Inspires Subiaco". The West Australian. 17 June 1946. p. 4.
  41. ^ "Convincing Form – Perth Beats West Perth". The West Australian. 17 June 1946. p. 4.
  42. ^ "A Good Display: S. Fremantle's Forwards Superior". The West Australian. 17 June 1946. p. 4.
  43. ^ "A Fine Recovery: East Fremantle Proves Its Strength". The West Australian. 17 June 1946. p. 4.
  44. ^ "An Ugly Scene: Crowd Menaces Umpire". The West Australian. 17 June 1946. p. 4.
  45. ^ "Hard and Fast – West Perth's Close Call". The West Australian. 24 June 1946. p. 4.
  46. ^ "A Keen Effort: Swan Districts Beaten". The West Australian. 24 June 1946. p. 4.
  47. ^ "Perth startled – Claremont Fights Hard". The West Australian. 24 June 1946. p. 4.
  48. ^ "Decisive Win: Subiaco Fails at Fremantle". The West Australian. 24 June 1946. p. 4.
  49. ^ WAFL Footy Facts: South Fremantle – Most Accurate Scores For
  50. ^ "An Exciting Tie: Swan Districts' Fine Effort". The West Australian. 1 July 1946. p. 4.
  51. ^ "Fast and Even: S. Fremantle Grasps Opportunities". The West Australian. 1 July 1946. p. 4.
  52. ^ "Low Scoring: Subiaco Finishes Well". The West Australian. 1 July 1946. p. 4.
  53. ^ "Forwards's Feat: East Fremantle's Big Tally". The West Australian. 1 July 1946. p. 4.
  54. ^ WAFL Footy Facts – Draws Archived 2014-05-13 at the Wayback Machine
  55. ^ "A Good Recovery: Ten Goals in Second Quarter". The West Australian. 8 July 1946. p. 4.
  56. ^ "Direct Methods: West Perth's Success". The West Australian. 8 July 1946. p. 4.
  57. ^ "Subiaco's Win: Forward Play Improves". The West Australian. 8 July 1946. p. 4.
  58. ^ "Versatile Players – E. Fremantle too Strong for Perth". The West Australian. 8 July 1946. p. 4.
  59. ^ "Perth Regional Office (009034) Monthly Rainfall". Australian Bureau of Meteorology.
  60. ^ "Goals Scarce: Subiaco Finishes Well". The West Australian. 15 July 1946. p. 3.
  61. ^ "Perth's Success: Strength in Heavy Going". The West Australian. 15 July 1946. p. 3.
  62. ^ "An Easy Victory: East Perth Shows Pace". The West Australian. 15 July 1946. p. 3.
  63. ^ "Another "Derby" – Decisive Win for East Fremantle". The West Australian. 15 July 1946. p. 3.
  64. ^ See "IOCI Report" (PDF). Indian Ocean Climate Initiative. for details
  65. ^ Flannery, Tim. The Weather Makers: The History and Future Impact of Climate Change. p. 131. ISBN 0802142923.
  66. ^ WAFL Footy Facts: Swan Districts – Lowest Scores For
  67. ^ WAFL Footy Facts: Swan Districts – Lowest Combined Scores
  68. ^ "A Great Recovery – Subiaco Determined". The West Australian. 22 July 1946. p. 4.
  69. ^ "Four-Point Win – East Perth's Sound Defence". The West Australian. 22 July 1946. p. 4.
  70. ^ "Second Victory: Claremont's Good Form". The West Australian. 22 July 1946. p. 4.
  71. ^ "Clever Teamwork: East Fremantle Outplays West Perth". The West Australian. 22 July 1946. p. 4.
  72. ^ "Key Strength: S. Fremantle Untroubled". The West Australian. 29 July 1946. p. 4.
  73. ^ "Low Scoring – East Perth Finishes On". The West Australian. 29 July 1946. p. 4.
  74. ^ "West Perth Wins: New Forward's Success". The West Australian. 29 July 1946. p. 4.
  75. ^ "A Rugged Game – Swan Districts Keen". The West Australian. 29 July 1946. p. 4.
  76. ^ "League Football – West Perth Strong". The West Australian. 7 May 1946. p. 3.
  77. ^ "Well-Earned Win – Swan Districts in Form". The West Australian. 5 August 1946. p. 4.
  78. ^ "Food Centre Line: S. Fremantle Strong". The West Australian. 5 August 1946. p. 4.
  79. ^ "No Weak Link: E. Fremantle Brilliant". The West Australian. 5 August 1946. p. 4.
  80. ^ a b Perth Regional Office (009034) August 1946 rainfall
  81. ^ "Stirring Finish – Subiaco Scrapes Home". The West Australian. 12 August 1946. p. 4.
  82. ^ "Stamina Tells: Bassendean Game Keen". The West Australian. 12 August 1946. p. 4.
  83. ^ "Naylor's Century: S. Fremantle Die Hard". The West Australian. 12 August 1946. p. 4.
  84. ^ "McIntosh Strong: Perth Kicking Superior". The West Australian. 29 August 1946. p. 5.
  85. ^ "Easy Victory: West Perth Improves". The West Australian. 26 August 1946. p. 5.
  86. ^ "Extra Speed – Swan Districts Strong". The West Australian. 26 August 1946. p. 5.
  87. ^ "Perth in Form: Nine Goals to Tucker". The West Australian. 26 August 1946. p. 5.
  88. ^ "A Close Call: East Fremantle Worried". The West Australian. 26 August 1946. p. 5.
  89. ^ "West Perth Wins – Clamp in a New Role". The West Australian. 2 September 1946. p. 5.
  90. ^ "A Strong Finish: S. Fremantle's Success". The West Australian. 2 September 1946. p. 5.
  91. ^ "A Keen Struggle: Subiaco Wears Down Perth". The West Australian. 2 September 1946. p. 5.
  92. ^ "Leader Extended: Claremont Shoots Poorly". The West Australian. 2 September 1946. p. 5.
  93. ^ "A Stout Finish –". The West Australian. 9 September 1946. p. 5.
  94. ^ "A Dull Match – West Perth Untroubled". The West Australian. 9 September 1946. p. 5.
  95. ^ "Subiaco Beaten: Claremont's Fine Effort". The West Australian. 9 September 1946. p. 5.
  96. ^ "Perth Fades Out: East Fremantle Strong". The West Australian. 9 September 1946. p. 5.
  97. ^ (Follower) (16 September 1946). "Good Kicking: Subiaco's Narrow Victory". The West Australian. p. 5.
  98. ^ "Last-Minute Win: East Fremantle Pressed". The West Australian. 23 September 1946. p. 5.
  99. ^ (Follower) (30 September 1946). "Football Final – Subiaco Outclassed". The West Australian. p. 5.
  100. ^ (Follower) (7 October 1946). "Stirring Football – East Fremantle's Triumph". The West Australian. p. 5.
  101. ^ "The Play: Brilliant Start by West Perth". The West Australian. 7 October 1946. p. 5.

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