After a half-decade in which the fortunes of all WANFL clubs, with the exception of East Perth, fluctuated severely, 1975 and 1976 saw a return to more stability, with Perth establishing themselves along with East Perth and South Fremantle as the top three of the league. Claremont, six games clear on the bottom in 1975, began with seven wins from ten matches but won only once more, whilst 1975 premiers West Perth had a disastrous start with injuries but recovered in June and July to clearly re-establish themselves as one of the top bracket.
Under coach Ken Armstrong, the Demons won their first premiership since Mal Atwell's great team from 1968 – remarkably not one 1968 premiership player appeared eight years later.[1] At the other end of the ladder, 1950s cellar dwellers Subiaco and Swan Districts returned to that position, with the Lions winning only two of their first nineteen games as they lost with no adequate replacements all but twelve of their 1973 senior players to either the VFL, retirement or, with Mick Malone,[2] cricket commitments.[3]
The scoring in 1976 increased to a record average score of 108.05 points per team per game beating the previous record of 101.21 from 1970, a figure to be exceeded in each of the next eleven seasons. From the eighth home-and-away round the WANFL followed the VFL in introducing a second field umpire, a move instantly regarded as a success.[4] Another innovation, in this case five years ahead of the VFL, was playing two games on Sunday afternoons for the first time. Although rated a success, it was not repeated until 1982.
1975 premiers West Perth's depleted side offers no answer to the Royal midfield whilst 17-year-old full-back Geoff Hendriks conceded nine goals to Archie Duda,[5] who missed 1975 with cartilage problems.[6]
With Norm Uncle kicking seven goals and contrasting with inaccuracy by the Demons, 1975 wooden spooners Claremont win a thriller otherwise dominated by several Victorian imports.[7]
Subiaco, unable to retain any of their early-1970s stars,[3] are demolished after half-time when Claremont move future Collingwood defender Kevin Worthington to centre-half-forward and score 13.10 (88) to 2.1 (13).[8]
Victorian recruits Stuart Magee and Gordon Casey compensate for the loss of several stars from 1975 as Swans hold on after being thirty-two points ahead at half-time in a 1975 second semi-final replay.[9]
South Fremantle take revenge for their humiliating 1975 Grand Final defeat with a nine-goal burst in fifteen minutes of the third quarter after the Cardinals took the lead.[11]
Claremont equal their 1975 win tally after an amazing comeback from 6.6 (42) to 13.5 (83) down early in the third quarter. East Fremantle fail to goal in the final forty-five minutes.[12]
Owing to an interstate game, this WANFL round was played on the Monday following Anzac Day.
Claremont's size, strength and stamina allows the Tigers to outlast East Perth and exceed their 1975 win tally in a month.[13]
With the return of 1973 leading goalkicker Phil Smith after playing 1974 at Woodville and missing 1975 due to injury,[14] West Perth easily win the battle of the only winless clubs.
Claremont's bubble bursts as – minus Mal Brown and Barry Price – on a partially soft ground they cannot match South Fremantle's skilled and speedy following division in which Eddie Bauskis is dominant.[17]
Perth kick twenty of the last 26 goals after being down 1.2 (8) to 9.5 (59) as flag stars-to-be Wiley and Rosbender come to dominate. The last quarter Perth took thirty marks to ten and had 72 kicks to the Tigers’ 46.[18]
The return to form of Bill Valli, discarded at the end of 1975, awakens West Perth, second last on the ladder, after Phil smith injures a knee again.[19]
With their win over a disappointing East Fremantle, Perth move two games clear inside the four despite having several key players in the reserves. Injury-plagued Chester McKean dominated the ruck.[20]
Despite losing the last three quarters and being without full-forward Gary Fathers, Subiaco win their first game for 1976 against the eventual premiers.[21]
With Norm Uncle kicking eight and veterans Bennett and Hayes back in form, Claremont suggest they will be a strong double chance candidate despite not displace South Fremantle from second.[22]
Owing to National Football League matches against VFL and SANFL clubs, there were no WANFL games on Saturday 12 June
In front of Claremont's second biggest home-and-away crowd to that point,[23] East Perth, boosted by the move of full-back John Daniel to attack, crush the Tigers and stamp themselves as strong premiership favourites.
On the first wet day of the season[24] and despite West Perth “still disappointing” apart from seven-goal full-forward Northcott,[25] Subiaco are the last WA(N)FL team goalless in the second and third quarters until East Fremantle against Claremont in the second last round of 1981.
Perth blanket Brian Ciccosto and Maurice Rioli to kick 10.4 (64) to 0.5 (5) during the third quarter and stand only percentage behind the Bulldogs in the quest for second position.[26]
Ian Logan and veterans Whinnen and Dempsey return to their 1975 form to lift West Perth to sixth and suggest they still can defend their premiership.[27]
During the third quarter, Perth players were robbed of cash, watches and jewellery by a thief.[28]
Claremont equal the 1970 record for the highest losing score in WANFL history[29] in a shootout dominated by full-forwards Mark Olsen with nine goals and Norm Uncle with ten, including five in as many minutes during the third quarter.[30]
Unexpected moves, notable Maurice Rioli to a back pocket, allow South of overcome being jumped by Old Easts for an easy derby win to keep second position.[31]
With the decline of early-season stars Barry Price (centre) and Greg Bennet (rover), Claremont look certain to lose their finals place as West Perth retain their 1975 form.[32]
On a windy day, Perth thrash the Royals – flattered by the score – with a superb display in defence led by young full-back Brian Cook.[33]
Mel Whinnen's dominance and East Fremantle's repeated use of the “dead” side on a windswept ground ensure the Cardinals enter the four for the first time in 1976 – in the process blacking East Fremantle's only chance to do so.[34]
A magnificent goal by Swans’ Garry Sidebottom after the black and whites looked like kicking themselves out of the contest at 5.16 (46) pushed Swan Districts to an easy win over the cellar-dwelling Lions.[35]
Perth's direct play and the roving of Wiley (seven goals) ensures they defeat an improved Claremont in a high-scoring game that was close for over a half.[36]
Given an incentive of $3,000 to win three games in the third series, Subiaco, with rovers Vin Catoggio (in his third WANFL game), Graeme Schultz (ex-Essendon) and Neil Randall dominant, thrash finals hopeful East Fremantle despite spearhead Fathers kicking 3.6 (24).[37]
Swan Districts do not goal until the 14-minute mark of the third quarter, becoming the last WA(N)FL team goalless at half-time until West Perth at Claremont Oval in the sixteenth round of 1989, as future Collingwood star Stan Magro dominates the packs.[38]
West Perth's impressive win over Swan Districts goes a long way towards sealing the four – the loser of the game between Claremont and East Fremantle became sure to drop out of the running.[39]
In Tom Grljusich's 300th game of senior football, the Bulldogs struggle gamely after being outscored with the wind in the opening quarter, despite a superb lone hand in a depleted ruck by Stephen Michael.[40]
Without Mel Whinnen, West Perth nonetheless produce an impressive win led by the revitalised Bill Valli to give a look ominously similar to that before their devastating displays in the 1975 finals.[41]
East Fremantle show what “might have been” as they exploit superbly Claremont's roving weakness and end the Tigers’ finals hopes.[42]
Perth take second position with a convincing win over an injury-depleted South Fremantle, as Robert Wiley finally confirms himself Western Australia's best rover since Cable with six goals and superb work on the ball.[43]
On Perth's wettest football day since the infamous “Swim Through Perth” of May 1956,[44] Perth produce a vintage display, holding West Perth to 1.7 (13) in the final three quarters whilst Murray Couper – given a roving commission – kicks 6.4 (40) himself.[45]
Subiaco's stubborn backline and a five-goal burst in ten minutes nearly steals the game from an inaccurate South Fremantle – looking to get several key players into full fitness for the finals.[46]
Claremont lose despite dominating the play as Victorian recruit Gordon Casey plays his best game for Swans and Tiger defender Kim Craig kicks a rare misdirected pass for the first of two winning behinds.[47]
Claremont coach Mal Brown illegally brought back John Colreavy when Jeff Murray was injured in a collision with Norm Uncle, which led to the introduction of the interchange rule despite a West Perth protest.[48]
In Colin Williams’ record 252nd match for the club, Subiaco win an amazing match with a record 19.3 (117) kicked in the third quarter[49] before Subiaco's defence holds East Perth goalless in the last and overpowers the top-of-the-ladder Royals. Subiaco runner Darryl Foster was reported for abusive language.[50]
A brilliant display by Sandover Medallist Spencer in wet conditions silences Perth's on-ball brigade to place the Demons in an uncomfortable position against West Perth in the first semi.[51]
Young ruckmen Dean Herbert and Wim Rosbender revitalised Perth to a remarkable comeback from 34 points down halfway through the third quarter to kick 16.7 (103) to 2.1 (13) for the remainder of the match.[52]
East Perth win well despite playing the last three quarters with sixteen fit players,[53] which leads to angry criticism by Bulldog coach Colin Beard about his team's last two finals efforts.[54]
A decision to give Perth first use of the wind backfires as an inaccurate South Fremantle are never in the match and coach Beard said he was ready to give up despite the club's confidence in him.[55]
^Perth Regional Office (009034) June 1976 rainfall
^East, Alan; ‘West Perth Still Have Long Way to Go’; The West Australian, 21 June 1976, p. 51
^Christian, Geoff; ‘Beware of Perth is the Warning’; The West Australian, 21 June 1976, p. 51
^Christian, Geoff; ‘More like the West Perth of 1975’; The West Australian, 28 June 1976, p. 63
^‘Perth Were Robbed’; The West Australian, 28 June 1976, p. 62
^See West Australian Football League: Highest Match Aggregate Scores 25 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine
^Wright, Frank; ‘Olsen Was the Key for Swans’; The West Australian, 28 June 1976, p. 62
^Christian, Geoff; ‘South Are Back in Business’; The West Australian, 5 July 1976, p. 59
^Hopkins, Colin; ‘Brown Has Few Tricks Left to Play’; The West Australian, 5 July 1976, p. 59
^Christian, Geoff; ‘Perth Leave East Perth Standing – and Wondering’; The West Australian, 12 July 1976, p. 63
^Hopkins, Colin; ‘East Fremantle Can Blame Themselves’; The West Australian, 12 July 1976, p. 62
^Wright, Frank; ‘It Took One Long Goal’; The West Australian, 12 July 1976, p. 63
^East, Alan; ‘Fewer Kicks, More Value the Story with Perth’; The West Australian, 19 July 1976, p. 78
^Hopkins, Colin; ‘Subiaco Given $3000 Spur’; The West Australian, 19 July 1976, p. 78
^Wright, Frank; ‘Magro the Key to South's Teamwork’; The West Australian, 19 July 1976, p. 79
^Christian, Geoff; ‘West Perth the Foes This Week’; The West Australian, 26 July 1976, pp. 66, 68
^Christian, Geoff; ‘East Perth Steal March on South’; The West Australian, 26 July 1976, p. 67
^Christian, Geoff; ‘West Perth Are Dangers Again’; The West Australian, 2 August 1976, p. 58
^Hopkins, Colin; ‘East Fremantle Put It All Together’; The West Australian, 2 August 1976, p. 58
^Hopkins, Colin; ‘South Flaws Soon Exposed by Perth’; The West Australian, 9 August 1976, p. 79
^Perth Regional Office (009034) August 1976 rainfall
^Christian, Geoff; ‘Perth Are Just Cherry-Ripe for the Finals’; The West Australian, 16 August 1976, p. 51
^Hopkins, Colin; ‘South Can Take Heart’; The West Australian, 16 August 1976, p. 50
^Wright, Frank; ‘Casey Clicks in the Wet’; The West Australian, 16 August 1976, p. 51
^‘West Perth to Protest on On-Off Player’; The West Australian, 23 August 1976, p. 72
^. Archived from the original on 4 November 2013. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
^‘Three on Charges’; The West Australian, 23 August 1976, p. 47
^Christian, Geoff; ‘East Perth Take the Steam out of Perth’; The West Australian, 30 August 1976, p. 75
^Christian, Geoff; ‘Herbert, Rosbender Were the Unsung Heroes’; The West Australian, 6 September 1976, p. 71
^Christian, Geoff; ‘Two Mottoes Tell the Story of East Perth’; The West Australian, 13 September 1976, p. 55
^Hopkins, Colin; ‘Beard Throws It Back to His Players’; The West Australian, 20 September 1976, p. 56
^Christian, Geoff; ‘It Was All Over By Quarter-Time’; The West Australian, 20 September 1976, p. 70
^‘Perth's Defence Didn't Give One Centimetre’; in The West Australian; 27 September 1976; p. 75
External linksedit
Official WAFL website
January 01, 1970
1976, wanfl, season, 92nd, season, western, australian, national, football, league, various, incarnations, 1976, wafl, seasonteams8premiersperth6th, premiershipminor, premierseast, perth14th, minor, premiershipsandover, medallistpeter, spencer, east, perth, be. The 1976 WANFL season was the 92nd season of the Western Australian National Football League in its various incarnations 1976 WAFL seasonTeams8PremiersPerth6th premiershipMinor premiersEast Perth14th minor premiershipSandover MedallistPeter Spencer East Perth Bernie Naylor MedallistNorm Uncle Claremont Matches played88 19751977 After a half decade in which the fortunes of all WANFL clubs with the exception of East Perth fluctuated severely 1975 and 1976 saw a return to more stability with Perth establishing themselves along with East Perth and South Fremantle as the top three of the league Claremont six games clear on the bottom in 1975 began with seven wins from ten matches but won only once more whilst 1975 premiers West Perth had a disastrous start with injuries but recovered in June and July to clearly re establish themselves as one of the top bracket Under coach Ken Armstrong the Demons won their first premiership since Mal Atwell s great team from 1968 remarkably not one 1968 premiership player appeared eight years later 1 At the other end of the ladder 1950s cellar dwellers Subiaco and Swan Districts returned to that position with the Lions winning only two of their first nineteen games as they lost with no adequate replacements all but twelve of their 1973 senior players to either the VFL retirement or with Mick Malone 2 cricket commitments 3 The scoring in 1976 increased to a record average score of 108 05 points per team per game beating the previous record of 101 21 from 1970 a figure to be exceeded in each of the next eleven seasons From the eighth home and away round the WANFL followed the VFL in introducing a second field umpire a move instantly regarded as a success 4 Another innovation in this case five years ahead of the VFL was playing two games on Sunday afternoons for the first time Although rated a success it was not repeated until 1982 Contents 1 Home and away season 1 1 Round 1 1 2 Round 2 1 3 Round 3 Easter weekend 1 4 Round 4 1 5 Round 5 1 6 Round 6 1 7 Round 7 1 8 Round 8 1 9 Round 9 1 10 Round 10 1 11 Round 11 1 12 Round 12 1 13 Round 13 1 14 Round 14 1 15 Round 15 1 16 Round 16 1 17 Round 17 1 18 Round 18 1 19 Round 19 1 20 Round 20 1 21 Round 21 2 Ladder 3 Finals 3 1 First semi final 3 2 Second semi final 3 3 Preliminary final 3 4 Grand Final 4 References 5 External linksHome and away season editRound 1 edit Round 1 Saturday 3 April South Fremantle 18 19 127 def Swan Districts 13 15 93 Fremantle Oval crowd 13197 Saturday 3 April West Perth 11 12 78 def by East Perth 25 13 163 Leederville Oval crowd 15996 Saturday 3 April Perth 12 15 87 def by Claremont 14 6 90 Lathlain Park crowd 10106 Saturday 3 April Subiaco 10 14 74 def by East Fremantle 17 17 119 Subiaco Oval crowd 8433 1975 premiers West Perth s depleted side offers no answer to the Royal midfield whilst 17 year old full back Geoff Hendriks conceded nine goals to Archie Duda 5 who missed 1975 with cartilage problems 6 With Norm Uncle kicking seven goals and contrasting with inaccuracy by the Demons 1975 wooden spooners Claremont win a thriller otherwise dominated by several Victorian imports 7 Round 2 edit Round 2 Saturday 10 April Swan Districts 17 15 117 def West Perth 17 13 115 Bassendean Oval crowd 10118 Saturday 10 April East Perth 13 16 94 def South Fremantle 12 16 88 Perth Oval crowd 15710 Saturday 10 April Claremont 21 15 141 def Subiaco 8 5 53 Claremont Oval crowd 8187 Saturday 10 April East Fremantle 19 15 129 def Perth 15 12 102 East Fremantle Oval crowd 8588 Subiaco unable to retain any of their early 1970s stars 3 are demolished after half time when Claremont move future Collingwood defender Kevin Worthington to centre half forward and score 13 10 88 to 2 1 13 8 Victorian recruits Stuart Magee and Gordon Casey compensate for the loss of several stars from 1975 as Swans hold on after being thirty two points ahead at half time in a 1975 second semi final replay 9 Round 3 Easter weekend edit Round 3 Saturday 17 April West Perth 15 10 100 def by South Fremantle 21 19 145 Leederville Oval crowd 16014 Saturday 17 April Perth 16 19 115 def Subiaco 10 17 77 Lathlain Park crowd 7208 Monday 19 April East Perth 27 16 178 def Swan Districts 13 12 90 Perth Oval crowd 17149 10 Monday 19 April East Fremantle 16 10 106 def by Claremont 16 11 107 East Fremantle Oval crowd 13060 South Fremantle take revenge for their humiliating 1975 Grand Final defeat with a nine goal burst in fifteen minutes of the third quarter after the Cardinals took the lead 11 Claremont equal their 1975 win tally after an amazing comeback from 6 6 42 to 13 5 83 down early in the third quarter East Fremantle fail to goal in the final forty five minutes 12 Round 4 edit Round 4 Monday 26 April Subiaco 12 14 86 def by West Perth 18 16 124 Subiaco Oval crowd 7028 Monday 26 April South Fremantle 14 16 100 def by Perth 17 15 117 Fremantle Oval crowd 11010 Monday 26 April Claremont 16 19 115 def East Perth 15 7 97 Claremont Oval crowd 14967 Monday 26 April Swan Districts 15 14 104 def by East Fremantle 19 16 130 Bassendean Oval crowd 9740 Owing to an interstate game this WANFL round was played on the Monday following Anzac Day Claremont s size strength and stamina allows the Tigers to outlast East Perth and exceed their 1975 win tally in a month 13 With the return of 1973 leading goalkicker Phil Smith after playing 1974 at Woodville and missing 1975 due to injury 14 West Perth easily win the battle of the only winless clubs Round 5 edit Round 5 Saturday 1 May South Fremantle 29 22 196 def Subiaco 7 6 48 Fremantle Oval crowd 6578 Saturday 1 May Perth 11 10 76 def West Perth 10 14 74 Lathlain Park crowd 8587 Saturday 1 May Claremont 16 16 112 def by Swan Districts 17 11 113 Claremont Oval crowd 9776 Saturday 1 May East Perth 13 11 89 def East Fremantle 12 12 84 Perth Oval crowd 10175 Subiaco record the biggest loss in the WANFL since they themselves lost to South Fremantle in 1953 15 despite Ray Bauskis kicking 6 10 46 16 Round 6 edit Round 6 Saturday 8 May Swan Districts 21 10 136 def Perth 13 9 87 Bassendean Oval crowd 11360 Saturday 8 May Subiaco 9 10 64 def by East Perth 15 19 109 Subiaco Oval crowd 6792 Saturday 8 May East Fremantle 18 13 121 def by South Fremantle 21 10 136 East Fremantle Oval crowd 14976 Sunday 9 May West Perth 13 12 90 def by Claremont 15 20 110 Leederville Oval crowd 12047 Round 7 edit Round 7 Saturday 15 May Subiaco 11 11 77 def by Swan Districts 12 14 86 Subiaco Oval crowd 5833 Saturday 15 May Perth 17 18 120 def East Perth 16 7 103 Lathlain Park crowd 8176 Saturday 15 May South Fremantle 24 22 166 def Claremont 10 8 68 Fremantle Oval crowd 13096 Saturday 15 May West Perth 19 10 124 def East Fremantle 16 12 108 Leederville Oval crowd 6513 Claremont s bubble bursts as minus Mal Brown and Barry Price on a partially soft ground they cannot match South Fremantle s skilled and speedy following division in which Eddie Bauskis is dominant 17 Round 8 edit Round 8 Saturday 22 May Swan Districts 18 10 118 def by South Fremantle 25 21 171 Bassendean Oval crowd 11870 Saturday 22 May East Perth 20 13 133 def West Perth 15 15 105 Perth Oval crowd 12092 Saturday 22 May Claremont 15 9 99 def by Perth 21 12 138 Claremont Oval crowd 8585 Saturday 22 May East Fremantle 19 21 135 def Subiaco 9 8 62 East Fremantle Oval crowd 5880 Perth kick twenty of the last 26 goals after being down 1 2 8 to 9 5 59 as flag stars to be Wiley and Rosbender come to dominate The last quarter Perth took thirty marks to ten and had 72 kicks to the Tigers 46 18 Round 9 edit Round 9 Saturday 29 May West Perth 20 22 142 def Swan Districts 11 15 81 Leederville Oval crowd 6770 Saturday 29 May South Fremantle 16 14 110 def by East Perth 27 14 176 Fremantle Oval crowd 10385 Saturday 29 May Subiaco 9 12 66 def by Claremont 19 12 126 Subiaco Oval crowd 4875 Saturday 29 May Perth 27 12 174 def East Fremantle 11 21 87 Lathlain Park crowd 6089 The return to form of Bill Valli discarded at the end of 1975 awakens West Perth second last on the ladder after Phil smith injures a knee again 19 With their win over a disappointing East Fremantle Perth move two games clear inside the four despite having several key players in the reserves Injury plagued Chester McKean dominated the ruck 20 Round 10 edit Round 10 Saturday 5 June South Fremantle 21 10 136 def West Perth 15 14 104 Fremantle Oval crowd 10127 Saturday 5 June Swan Districts 20 9 129 def East Perth 23 15 153 Bassendean Oval crowd 10680 Saturday 5 June Subiaco 16 8 104 def Perth 14 12 96 Subiaco Oval crowd 5565 Saturday 5 June Claremont 24 13 157 def East Fremantle 8 21 69 Claremont Oval crowd 7682 Despite losing the last three quarters and being without full forward Gary Fathers Subiaco win their first game for 1976 against the eventual premiers 21 With Norm Uncle kicking eight and veterans Bennett and Hayes back in form Claremont suggest they will be a strong double chance candidate despite not displace South Fremantle from second 22 Round 11 edit Round 11 Sunday 13 June East Perth 27 18 180 def Claremont 11 13 79 Perth Oval crowd 16785 Saturday 19 June West Perth 14 17 101 def Subiaco 4 6 30 Leederville Oval crowd 5346 Saturday 19 June Perth 20 14 134 def South Fremantle 12 15 87 Lathlain Park crowd 8418 Saturday 19 June East Fremantle 24 11 155 def Swan Districts 16 19 115 East Fremantle Oval crowd 5900 Owing to National Football League matches against VFL and SANFL clubs there were no WANFL games on Saturday 12 June In front of Claremont s second biggest home and away crowd to that point 23 East Perth boosted by the move of full back John Daniel to attack crush the Tigers and stamp themselves as strong premiership favourites On the first wet day of the season 24 and despite West Perth still disappointing apart from seven goal full forward Northcott 25 Subiaco are the last WA N FL team goalless in the second and third quarters until East Fremantle against Claremont in the second last round of 1981 Perth blanket Brian Ciccosto and Maurice Rioli to kick 10 4 64 to 0 5 5 during the third quarter and stand only percentage behind the Bulldogs in the quest for second position 26 Round 12 edit Round 12 Saturday 26 June Subiaco 11 11 77 def by South Fremantle 13 12 90 Subiaco Oval crowd 5519 Saturday 26 June West Perth 20 13 133 def Perth 9 13 67 Leederville Oval crowd 8674 Saturday 26 June Swan Districts 24 13 157 def Claremont 21 13 139 Bassendean Oval crowd 8015 Saturday 26 June East Fremantle 22 17 149 def East Perth 17 10 112 East Fremantle Oval crowd 8487 Ian Logan and veterans Whinnen and Dempsey return to their 1975 form to lift West Perth to sixth and suggest they still can defend their premiership 27 During the third quarter Perth players were robbed of cash watches and jewellery by a thief 28 Claremont equal the 1970 record for the highest losing score in WANFL history 29 in a shootout dominated by full forwards Mark Olsen with nine goals and Norm Uncle with ten including five in as many minutes during the third quarter 30 Round 13 edit Round 13 Saturday 3 July Perth 22 19 151 def Swan Districts 9 9 63 Lathlain Park crowd 9564 Saturday 3 July East Perth 25 22 172 def Subiaco 9 5 59 Perth Oval crowd 6825 Saturday 3 July Claremont 13 12 90 def by West Perth 22 15 147 Claremont Oval crowd 8865 Saturday 3 July South Fremantle 18 16 124 def East Fremantle 10 12 72 Fremantle Oval crowd 12817 Unexpected moves notable Maurice Rioli to a back pocket allow South of overcome being jumped by Old Easts for an easy derby win to keep second position 31 With the decline of early season stars Barry Price centre and Greg Bennet rover Claremont look certain to lose their finals place as West Perth retain their 1975 form 32 Round 14 edit Round 14 Saturday 10 July Swan Districts 15 24 114 def Subiaco 11 7 73 Bassendean Oval crowd 5354 Saturday 10 July Perth 15 15 105 def East Perth 10 9 69 Perth Oval crowd 12313 Saturday 10 July Claremont 11 11 77 def by South Fremantle 12 20 92 Claremont Oval crowd 8837 Saturday 10 July East Fremantle 9 7 61 def by West Perth 9 11 65 East Fremantle Oval crowd 8370 On a windy day Perth thrash the Royals flattered by the score with a superb display in defence led by young full back Brian Cook 33 Mel Whinnen s dominance and East Fremantle s repeated use of the dead side on a windswept ground ensure the Cardinals enter the four for the first time in 1976 in the process blacking East Fremantle s only chance to do so 34 A magnificent goal by Swans Garry Sidebottom after the black and whites looked like kicking themselves out of the contest at 5 16 46 pushed Swan Districts to an easy win over the cellar dwelling Lions 35 Round 15 edit Round 15 Saturday 17 July South Fremantle 19 21 135 def Swan Districts 9 16 70 Fremantle Oval crowd 9670 Saturday 17 July West Perth 17 14 116 def by East Perth 23 11 149 Leederville Oval crowd 13826 Saturday 17 July Perth 27 7 169 def Claremont 20 13 133 Lathlain Park crowd 7292 Saturday 17 July Subiaco 20 22 142 def East Fremantle 12 13 85 Subiaco Oval crowd 4237 Perth s direct play and the roving of Wiley seven goals ensures they defeat an improved Claremont in a high scoring game that was close for over a half 36 Given an incentive of 3 000 to win three games in the third series Subiaco with rovers Vin Catoggio in his third WANFL game Graeme Schultz ex Essendon and Neil Randall dominant thrash finals hopeful East Fremantle despite spearhead Fathers kicking 3 6 24 37 Swan Districts do not goal until the 14 minute mark of the third quarter becoming the last WA N FL team goalless at half time until West Perth at Claremont Oval in the sixteenth round of 1989 as future Collingwood star Stan Magro dominates the packs 38 Round 16 edit Round 16 Saturday 24 July Swan Districts 17 17 119 def by West Perth 25 11 161 Bassendean Oval crowd 7013 Saturday 24 July East Perth 19 12 126 def South Fremantle 15 8 98 Perth Oval crowd 13286 Saturday 24 July Claremont 19 15 129 def Subiaco 12 13 85 Claremont Oval crowd 5090 Saturday 24 July East Fremantle 25 17 167 def Perth 14 14 98 East Fremantle Oval crowd 5819 West Perth s impressive win over Swan Districts goes a long way towards sealing the four the loser of the game between Claremont and East Fremantle became sure to drop out of the running 39 In Tom Grljusich s 300th game of senior football the Bulldogs struggle gamely after being outscored with the wind in the opening quarter despite a superb lone hand in a depleted ruck by Stephen Michael 40 Round 17 edit Round 17 Saturday 31 July West Perth 18 17 125 def South Fremantle 15 16 106 Leederville Oval crowd 12660 Saturday 31 July East Perth 24 23 167 def Swan Districts 11 13 79 Perth Oval crowd 7567 Saturday 31 July Perth 20 19 139 def Subiaco 11 12 78 Lathlain Park crowd 5438 Saturday 31 July East Fremantle 24 21 165 def Claremont 14 7 91 East Fremantle Oval crowd 8475 Without Mel Whinnen West Perth nonetheless produce an impressive win led by the revitalised Bill Valli to give a look ominously similar to that before their devastating displays in the 1975 finals 41 East Fremantle show what might have been as they exploit superbly Claremont s roving weakness and end the Tigers finals hopes 42 Round 18 edit Round 18 Saturday 7 August Subiaco 7 11 53 def by West Perth 23 24 162 Subiaco Oval crowd 4525 Saturday 7 August South Fremantle 13 17 95 def by Perth 21 15 141 Fremantle Oval crowd 8072 Saturday 7 August Claremont 10 12 72 def by East Perth 18 12 120 Claremont Oval crowd 5285 Saturday 7 August Swan Districts 6 17 53 def by East Fremantle 25 18 168 Bassendean Oval crowd 4220 Perth take second position with a convincing win over an injury depleted South Fremantle as Robert Wiley finally confirms himself Western Australia s best rover since Cable with six goals and superb work on the ball 43 Round 19 edit Round 19 Saturday 14 August South Fremantle 8 21 69 def Subiaco 9 6 60 Fremantle Oval crowd 4098 Saturday 14 August Perth 15 15 105 def West Perth 7 7 49 Lathlain Park crowd 7209 Saturday 14 August Claremont 6 14 50 def by Swan Districts 6 16 52 Claremont Oval crowd 3142 Saturday 14 August East Perth 16 18 114 def East Fremantle 9 12 66 Perth Oval crowd 5616 On Perth s wettest football day since the infamous Swim Through Perth of May 1956 44 Perth produce a vintage display holding West Perth to 1 7 13 in the final three quarters whilst Murray Couper given a roving commission kicks 6 4 40 himself 45 Subiaco s stubborn backline and a five goal burst in ten minutes nearly steals the game from an inaccurate South Fremantle looking to get several key players into full fitness for the finals 46 Claremont lose despite dominating the play as Victorian recruit Gordon Casey plays his best game for Swans and Tiger defender Kim Craig kicks a rare misdirected pass for the first of two winning behinds 47 Round 20 edit Round 20 Saturday 21 August Swan Districts 10 13 73 def by Perth 19 12 126 Bassendean Oval crowd 6973 Saturday 21 August Subiaco 20 11 131 def East Perth 17 10 112 Subiaco Oval crowd 5642 Saturday 21 August West Perth 20 21 141 def Claremont 13 18 96 Leederville Oval crowd 7816 Saturday 21 August East Fremantle 12 15 87 def by South Fremantle 29 15 189 East Fremantle Oval crowd 12703 Claremont coach Mal Brown illegally brought back John Colreavy when Jeff Murray was injured in a collision with Norm Uncle which led to the introduction of the interchange rule despite a West Perth protest 48 In Colin Williams record 252nd match for the club Subiaco win an amazing match with a record 19 3 117 kicked in the third quarter 49 before Subiaco s defence holds East Perth goalless in the last and overpowers the top of the ladder Royals Subiaco runner Darryl Foster was reported for abusive language 50 Round 21 edit Round 21 Saturday 28 August Subiaco 16 13 109 def Swan Districts 13 13 91 Subiaco Oval crowd 3817 Saturday 28 August Perth 10 7 67 def by East Perth 11 14 80 Lathlain Park crowd 9568 Saturday 28 August South Fremantle 15 26 116 def Claremont 7 12 54 Fremantle Oval crowd 5962 Saturday 28 August West Perth 13 12 90 def East Fremantle 8 14 62 Leederville Oval crowd 4828 A brilliant display by Sandover Medallist Spencer in wet conditions silences Perth s on ball brigade to place the Demons in an uncomfortable position against West Perth in the first semi 51 Ladder edit1976 ladder Pos Team Pld W L D PF PA PP Pts 1 East Perth 21 16 5 0 2696 2004 134 5 64 2 South Fremantle 21 14 7 0 2576 2062 124 9 56 3 Perth P 21 14 7 0 2414 2026 119 2 56 4 West Perth 21 12 9 0 2346 2093 112 1 48 5 East Fremantle 21 9 12 0 2325 2322 100 1 36 6 Claremont 21 8 13 0 2135 2409 88 6 32 7 Swan Districts 21 7 14 0 2053 2726 75 3 28 8 Subiaco 21 4 17 0 1608 2511 64 0 16Source WAFL Footy FactsRules for classification 1 points 2 percentage 3 number of points for P PremiersFinals editFirst semi final edit First semi final Saturday 4 September Perth 20 18 138 def West Perth 13 4 82 Subiaco Oval crowd 23 091 Young ruckmen Dean Herbert and Wim Rosbender revitalised Perth to a remarkable comeback from 34 points down halfway through the third quarter to kick 16 7 103 to 2 1 13 for the remainder of the match 52 Second semi final edit Second semi final Saturday 11 September East Perth 20 18 138 def South Fremantle 15 15 105 Subiaco Oval crowd 31 147 East Perth win well despite playing the last three quarters with sixteen fit players 53 which leads to angry criticism by Bulldog coach Colin Beard about his team s last two finals efforts 54 Preliminary final edit Preliminary final Saturday 18 September South Fremantle 10 21 81 def by Perth 20 19 139 Subiaco Oval crowd 23 137 A decision to give Perth first use of the wind backfires as an inaccurate South Fremantle are never in the match and coach Beard said he was ready to give up despite the club s confidence in him 55 Grand Final edit 1976 WANFL Grand Final Saturday 25 September East Perth def by Perth Subiaco Oval crowd 45 823 2 0 12 4 2 26 9 3 57 11 3 69 Q1Q2Q3 Final 3 5 23 6 10 46 10 12 72 13 14 92 Umpires Ross Capes Ron Powell Simpson Medal Mal Day Perth Duda 4 Quatermaine 3 Levetzke Hamilton Daniel Verstegen Goals Couper 4 Gibellini 3 Mitsopoulos 2 Hargrave Farrant Herbert Wiley Smith Hamilton Webster McGinnty Quartermaine Spencer Webster Best Day Gibellini Herbert Rosbender Watt Wiley Will Couper In a dour game in windy conditions Perth via a superb defence 56 comfortably account for a Royal team only kept in the game by accuracy References edit East Alan 2004 From Redlegs to Demons A History of the Perth Football Club pp 122 148 Malone Decides to Hang Up His Boots The West Australian 26 April 1976 p 58 a b Spillman Ken Diehards The Story of the Subiaco Football Club 1946 2000 pp 178 185 ISBN 0 9578185 0 5 Thumbs Up for Two Umpires The West Australian 24 May 1976 p 46 Christian Geoff East Perth the Masters The West Australian 5 April 1976 p 55 Duda s Knee Goes Again The West Australian 20 April 1976 p 55 East Alan Claremont Put Value into Their Dollars The West Australian 5 April 1976 p 55 Hopkins Colin Worthington a Success Story Too The West Australian 12 April 1976 p 78 East Alan It Pays to Dig Deep at Swans The West Australian 12 April 1976 p 56 East Alan East Perth Warp It All Up with One Burst The West Australian 20 April 1976 pp 79 Christian Geoff South Explode to Victory in 15 Minutes The West Australian 19 April 1976 p 51 Christian Geoff Claremont Grab Victory in Last Gasp The West Australian 20 April 1976 pp 56 55 Christian Geoff Claremont stand All Alone on Top The West Australian 27 April 1976 pp 76 74 Smith s Back The West Australian 26 April 1976 p 58 Subiaco Biggest Losses East Alan South Are Supreme Subiaco Pitiful The West Australian 3 May 1976 p 54 Christian Geoff A Day to Remember for South Fans The West Australian 17 May 1976 p 66 Christian Geoff Perth show How to Win a Game The West Australian 24 May 1976 p 47 Wright Frank Valli Comes in from the Cold The West Australian 31 May 1976 p 78 Hopkins Colin East Fremantle on the Skids The West Australian 31 May 1976 p 77 Christian Geoff Subiaco Put Dent in Perth s Confidence The West Australian 7 June 1976 p 47 Wright Frank Claremoent Shatter East F Tle The West Australian 7 June 1976 p 46 Claremont Biggest Home and Away Crowds Perth Regional Office 009034 June 1976 rainfall East Alan West Perth Still Have Long Way to Go The West Australian 21 June 1976 p 51 Christian Geoff Beware of Perth is the Warning The West Australian 21 June 1976 p 51 Christian Geoff More like the West Perth of 1975 The West Australian 28 June 1976 p 63 Perth Were Robbed The West Australian 28 June 1976 p 62 See West Australian Football League Highest Match Aggregate Scores Archived 25 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine Wright Frank Olsen Was the Key for Swans The West Australian 28 June 1976 p 62 Christian Geoff South Are Back in Business The West Australian 5 July 1976 p 59 Hopkins Colin Brown Has Few Tricks Left to Play The West Australian 5 July 1976 p 59 Christian Geoff Perth Leave East Perth Standing and Wondering The West Australian 12 July 1976 p 63 Hopkins Colin East Fremantle Can Blame Themselves The West Australian 12 July 1976 p 62 Wright Frank It Took One Long Goal The West Australian 12 July 1976 p 63 East Alan Fewer Kicks More Value the Story with Perth The West Australian 19 July 1976 p 78 Hopkins Colin Subiaco Given 3000 Spur The West Australian 19 July 1976 p 78 Wright Frank Magro the Key to South s Teamwork The West Australian 19 July 1976 p 79 Christian Geoff West Perth the Foes This Week The West Australian 26 July 1976 pp 66 68 Christian Geoff East Perth Steal March on South The West Australian 26 July 1976 p 67 Christian Geoff West Perth Are Dangers Again The West Australian 2 August 1976 p 58 Hopkins Colin East Fremantle Put It All Together The West Australian 2 August 1976 p 58 Hopkins Colin South Flaws Soon Exposed by Perth The West Australian 9 August 1976 p 79 Perth Regional Office 009034 August 1976 rainfall Christian Geoff Perth Are Just Cherry Ripe for the Finals The West Australian 16 August 1976 p 51 Hopkins Colin South Can Take Heart The West Australian 16 August 1976 p 50 Wright Frank Casey Clicks in the Wet The West Australian 16 August 1976 p 51 West Perth to Protest on On Off Player The West Australian 23 August 1976 p 72 WAFL Footy Facts Most Combined Points in Third Quarter Archived from the original on 4 November 2013 Retrieved 8 April 2014 Three on Charges The West Australian 23 August 1976 p 47 Christian Geoff East Perth Take the Steam out of Perth The West Australian 30 August 1976 p 75 Christian Geoff Herbert Rosbender Were the Unsung Heroes The West Australian 6 September 1976 p 71 Christian Geoff Two Mottoes Tell the Story of East Perth The West Australian 13 September 1976 p 55 Hopkins Colin Beard Throws It Back to His Players The West Australian 20 September 1976 p 56 Christian Geoff It Was All Over By Quarter Time The West Australian 20 September 1976 p 70 Perth s Defence Didn t Give One Centimetre in The West Australian 27 September 1976 p 75External links editOfficial WAFL website Western Australian National Football League WANFL 1976 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 1976 WANFL season amp oldid 1111482562, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
