The 1983 WAFL season was the 99th season of the West Australian Football League in its various incarnations. The season opened on 31 March and concluded on 17 September with the 1983 WAFL Grand Final contested between Claremont and Swan Districts.
South Fremantle, after a disappointing 1982, and Claremont dominated the competition for most of the year before Swans – after a slow start due to numerous injuries with four losses from eight matches – came home very strongly for a second premiership win in a row. East Perth, with a new coach and required to play fourteen men new to league football, missed the finals for only the second time in eighteen seasons and indeed only the fifth since their dynasty between 1956 and 1961,[1] though a reserves premiership after a drawn preliminary final was partial compensation.
The continuing fall in WAFL attendances despite the growth of Perth's metropolitan population,[2] loss of many star players to the VFL, and resultant financial difficulties for all clubs, led the government of Brian Burke to undergo a review of the WAFL's needs, especially club finances and ground leases, but future seasons did not prove the move successful. In an effort to update their images East Fremantle adopted the moniker "Sharks" and West Perth the "Falcons", and despite considerable scepticism both clubs have retained these nicknames to the present. The blue and whites dominated the pre-season[3] and recovered from a very bad start in the home-and-away rounds to reach fourth position in the last round, but were out of their depths against the top three – who lost only three matches to the remaining five teams all season. The Sharks did win the experimental "Emu Export" lightning carnival held at Subiaco Oval on May 14 and 15, which was regarded by the WAFL as a major flop and never repeated.[4]
For the first time the WAFL allowed six home-and-away matches to be played on Sunday and televised direct to Perth viewers, but attendances at these matches were about half what would have happened otherwise[5] and the WAFL abandoned this for the 1984 season.
Traditional rivals West and East Perth meet in the first WAFL match to be direct telecast to local areas.
On a hot 35.9 °C (96.6 °F) day, Claremont’s new-look centreline, incorporating former forward Malaxos, runs over Swans in a convincing reversal of the Grand Final.[7]
Subiaco produce surprising form for three quarters against an East Fremantle team that dominated the pre-season – the Lions’ rotation of four ruckmen in the hot conditions works to their advantage and they lead by fifty-six points at three-quarter time.[3]
Swan Districts steal a high-scoring game from the Royals after having been behind by 21, 29 and 25 points at each change.
Led by brilliant Aboriginal wingman Greg Kelly, Subiaco surpass their 1982 winning tally after two games against a Perth team that wastes the strong breeze in the first and third quarters.[9]
Although East Fremantle – led by first-game centre half-forward Ray Sterrett – stay with Swan Districts for a half, the Swans, despite losing Peter Sartori with a finger injury, completely dominate the second half for a third crushing loss by the pre-season pacesetters.[11]
South Fremantle burst the Subiaco "bubble" despite losing in the key forward positions all match, as interchange Chris Stasinowsky kicks an astonishing 11.3 (69) after coming on in a forward pocket midway through the second quarter.[12]
After being two points down early in the third quarter, South Fremantle kick the next nine goals for a win the makes a mockery of East Fremantle’s new image.[13]
Swan Districts play so poorly, scoring only 3.7 (25) to 14.15 (99) after the seventeen-minute mark of the second quarter, that coach John Todd withdraws the $7200 payment for the match.[14]
Young, tall and hard-working ruckman Laurie Keene nearly leads Subiaco to a huge upset over unbeaten Claremont, but lack of speed in the forward line proves too much of a stumbling block.[15]
South Fremantle kick 12.4 (76) to 3.4 (22) after scores were level at three-quarter time to stay unbeaten in Bruce Monteath’s 100th match for them. Monteath kicks four of their final-quarter goal spree.[17]
Although Ralph finished with 11.6 (72), it is Claremont’s solid, risk-free defence that wins the kudos for a fine victory over the new-look West Perth in perfect weather for high scoring.[18]
A superb opening quarter in front of a packed crowd turns an eagerly-awaited match into a procession. South Fremantle centreman Brad Hardie has 29 kicks and scores 5.5 (35).[19]
Allen Daniels proves the barrier to a huge upset by winless Perth, with six kicks in fifteen minutes of the final quarter after the Demons come within four points.[20]
A record Claremont Oval crowd[22] sees claremoent win the battle of the unbeaten teams owing to some imaginative coaching from Graham Moss. The scoreline is misleading as South Fremantle were never within thirteen points between early in the first quarter and time-on in the last.[23]
After a "basketball-like" first quarter with sixteen goals scored,[24] East Perth – led by the unstoppable Ironmonger – take complete control for a record score against East Fremantle.[25]
East Fremantle take their first title since 1979 in an experimental series regarded as a flop, with the crowd in dry weather less than half that observed in damp conditions the preceding day.[4]
Peter Dawson, aged twenty-four, and sixteen-year-old Richard Dennis emerge as a top wing duo as fierce tackling aids East Perth to dominate both the centreline and the Falcons.[27]
Warren Ralph’s 10.4 (64) wins a superb-quality Sunday game against a depleted Swan Districts team, led by strongman Ron Boucher, who picks off the "man of the match awards" but cannot by himself contain the Tigers.[28]
The "old firm" of Stephen Michael and Noel Carter – the latter now playing in the centre – drives South Fremantle to victory and top position with seven of the last nine goals after West Perth draw close.[30]
East Fremantle via sheer enthusiasm and pressure outplay the previously unbeaten Tigers in every department to issue a strong challenge to West Perth, East Perth and Swan Districts for a place in the four.[31]
In their first victory for the season, Perth kick their highest-ever score against Subiaco.[32]
The move of Graeme Comerford from full-forward to centre half-forward, where he kicks 7.1 (43) against State star Murray Rance, would have brought the Falcons a crucial victory but for very poor kicking in front of goal.[33]
In the first one-point result in WAFL for three seasons,[34] East Fremantle, with seventeen fit players, just fail to hold off the pacesetters. Second-game future St. Kilda star Nicky Winmar kicks three decisive last-quarter goals.[35]
East Perth produce a fine display against Claremont – avoiding the fadeouts that had plagued their previous games against the top three.[37]
Swan Districts kick a club record score against East Fremantle[38] with a completely dominant first half as their centreline of Leon Baker, Mike Smith and Phil Narkle completely dominates what the ABC called, in analogy with a partial solar eclipse in Perth, a "total eclipse of the Sharks".[39]
South Fremantle’s thrashing of Subiaco leads the Lions to sack coach Peter Daniel after only eleven games.[40] Replacement Brian Fairclough lasts only ten games himself.
Rain and gloom late in the match seem to produce a lapse among the Perth players, who miss a rare win in a match where for three quarters East Fremantle were lucky to stay in striking distance.[42]
The reigning premiers achieve their best and most important victory of the season in slippery,[43] windy conditions as their pressure disorganises the dangerous Bulldog forwards.[44]
Clinton Brown, with ten goals in difficult conditions – one via a superb "wrong-side" shot from the boundary – leads Subiaco to their first win since 2 April, and leaves East Perth in the four only by percentage.[45]
In the "best and toughest" match so far in 1983, South Fremantle gain a starling last-minute win over a depleted and inaccurate Claremont team.[46]
A thrilling contest filled with desperation and toughness leaves East Perth a game and 21.5 percent clear in fourth position as East Fremantle’s inaccuracy during a dominant third quarter proves critical.[47]
West Perth coach Dennis Cometti is left ruing a fourth straight loss that leaves his team two games out of the four. Subiaco’s spearheads – a major weakness in recent seasons – win for them as Clint Brown and Brain McFaull boot nine goals between them whereas the Falcons lack a dominant player in attack.[48]
West Perth, who fail to goal after the fifteen-minute mark of the second quarter as future Collingwood star Michael Christian uses "spoiling" tactics to devastating effect,[50] are virtually out of the running with their tenth defeat in twelve matches.
The Falcons are the first WAFL team goalless for a half of football since East Fremantle in the second and third quarters in the penultimate round of 1981, and the first goalless in the second half since Swan Districts against East Perth in Round 19 of 1975.
Western Australia win the title of Australian football champions and leave Victoria winless for the first time via a stirring comeback win led by seven-goal Hawthorn star Buckenara.
After ruckman Baden Harper adjusts his back brace, Claremont become unstoppable in a game thought by critics as tough for them to win, scoring 20.7 (127) after half-time despite rain in the final quarter.[53]
Swan Districts win their ninth consecutive match with a relentless display into a northerly gale during the first quarter and three brilliant long goals after the Sharks looked like holding them out during most of the second stanza.[54]
Claremont’s remarkable tally of 166 handballs – 21 from Wayne Blackwell – bewilders East Perth in the very windy conditions and shows severe weaknesses in the Royals’ running game.[55]
Swan Districts record their tenth consecutive victory against an inspired West Perth in Les Fong’s two hundredth match. The Falcons match the pacesetters for three quarters before Swans’ greater class decides.[57]
Warren Ralph kicks sixteen goals, two behinds – the most goals in a WA(N)FL match since Bernie Naylor’s record 23-goal haul in 1953 against Subiaco[58] – for Claremont as the Tigers just fail to break their record for the highest WAFL first quarter and match scores.[59]
Perth produce their first win against a team other than Subiaco since the corresponding round of 1981 by beating East Perth at that club’s own game of strength and persistence. Cousins, Yorgey and Cam Shepard dominate for the Demons.[60]
East Perth president Mal Atwell protests at Mal Brown’s spitting on an East Perth member after an incident during the opening quarter between Bulldog Stephen Michael and Royal David Morgan.[62]
Subiaco, thrashed by Swans, kick the lowest score in the WAFL since 1980, and in fact the lowest by any visiting team at Bassendean until Peel kicked 4.6 (30) in Round 12 of 2003.[63]
An influenza epidemic depletes Swan Districts and the Bulldogs finish their home season unbeaten despite having one goal and fourteen behinds on the board at one stage of the second quarter – they compensated with eight straight goals into the wind during the final stanza.[64]
Despite being without skipper Alexander, Kevin Taylor and Rod Lester-Smith, East Fremantle gained a third and most critical win over West Perth to set up a last-round "mini-elimination final" with perennial finalists East Perth.[65]
Skill and enthusiasm – compared by football writers with a similar win against West Perth in the final round of 1961 – allow East Fremantle to enter the top four for the first time in 1983. Shane Ellis is unbeatable for the Sharks in defence.[66]
Claremont’s greater speed ensures a comfortable win in the second semi-final preview and createst sizeable worries for a South Fremantle team that previously felt itself coasting towards a premiership.[67]
East Perth fails to qualify for the finals for the first time since 1974 and only the second since 1965. In the process East Fremantle break their first run of ten consecutive losses against one opponent since 1909 and only their second ever.[68]
East Fremantle, who finished six games behind the top three and were without Kevin Taylor and first-year future West Coast star Michael Brennan,[70] were never in the hunt after kicking into the breeze upon winning the toss in what turned out a "forgettable" match.
South’s inaccuracy – going from 4.2 (26) to 4.14 (38) during the second quarter – ruins a superb comeback in wet[72] and windy conditions after half-time.
The Bulldogs reduced a sixty-six point deficit to ten points before Claremont steady. South had more possession but wasted chances despite Bruce Monteath kicking 6.7 (43) in a superb display at full-forward.
Swan Districts produced a flawless team display to thrash a South Fremantle team whose lack of pace tells under the pressure on a warm day. It was the Swans’ first-ever finals win over South Fremantle.
^Young, Doug; ‘Lions’ Rally Predictable’; The West Australian, 20 June 1983, p. 57
^Wainwright, Robert; ‘Perth’s Lapse Proves Costly’; The West Australian, 13 June 1983, p. 57
^See Perth Regional Office (009034) June 1983 rainfall
^Wainwright, Robert; ‘Swans Knock South off the Rails’; The West Australian, 27 June 1983, p. 60
^Wright, Steve; ‘Subiaco’s Taste of Glory’; The West Australian, 27 June 1983, p. 60
^Christian, Geoff; ‘South Snatch All the Spoils’; The West Australian, 4 July 1983, p. 64
^Wright, Steve; ‘There’s Nothing Between Easts’; The West Australian, 4 July 1983, p. 65
^Young, Doug; ‘Close, Yet So Far’; The West Australian, 4 July 1983, p. 65
^Young, Doug; ‘Taylor Worthy of a Medal’; The West Australian, 11 July 1983, p. 93
^Wainwright, Robert; ‘Falcons’ Fans Go into Mourning’; The West Australian, 11 July 1983, p. 92
^Christian, Geoff; ‘WA Football’s Day to Remember’; The West Australian, 13 July 1983, p. 112
^Christian, Geoff; ‘Low-Key South Do Just Enough’; The West Australian, 18 July 1983, pp. 68, 64
^Wright, Steve; ‘Claremont Find Their Sparkle’; The West Australian, 18 July 1983, p. 65
^Christian, Geoff; ‘Swans Simply Too Resolute’; The West Australian, 25 July 1983, p. 64
^Wainwright, Robert; ‘Claremont Make Handball Tell’; The West Australian, 25 July 1983, p. 64
^Wright, Steve; ‘Claremont Were Simply Brilliant’; The West Australian, 1 August 1983, p. 64
^Christian, Geoff; ‘Swans Rally Tames Spirited Falcons’; The West Australian, 1 August 1983, pp. 68, 65
^‘Best Since Naylor’; The West Australian, 1 August 1983, p. 64
^. Archived from the original on 22 September 2013. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
^Wainwright, Robert; ‘Perth Fans Relish Taste of Victory’; The West Australian, 1 August 1983, p. 64
^Young, Doug; ‘Subiaco at Rock Bottom’; The West Australian, 8 August 1983, p. 73
^Christian, Geoff; ‘Spitting Incident: Royals Want an Apology’; The West Australian, 8 August 1983, p. 76
^WAFL Footy Facts: Bassendean Oval September 21, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
^Christian, Geoff; ‘Carter, Matera Show the Way’; The West Australian, 15 August 1983, p. 76
^Young, Doug; ‘Fields Shines in the Centre’; The West Australian, 15 August 1983, p. 76
^Christian, Geoff; ‘East Fremantle Spirit Lives On’; The West Australian, 22 August 1983, p. 80
^Casellas, Ken; ‘Claremont Spirit Lives On’; The West Australian, 22 August 1983, p. 80
^WAFL Footy Facts: East Fremantle – Most Consecutive Losses v Each Opponent
^Christian, Geoff; ‘Real Battle Starts This Week’; The West Australian, 29 August 1983, pp. 72, 68
^Christian, Geoff; ‘Sharks Can Look to Rosy Future’; The West Australian, 29 August 1983, p. 69
^Christian, Geoff; ‘Moss Sets the Standard for Stirring Victory’; The West Australian, 5 September 1983, p. 80
^Perth Regional Office (009034) September 1983 rainfall
^Christian, Geoff; ‘Swans Get into Top Gear’; The West Australian, 12 September 1983, p. 88
^Christian, Geoff; ‘Swans Get It Right’; The West Australian, 19 September 1983, pp. 76, 72
External links
Official WAFL website
January 07, 2023
1983, wafl, season, 99th, season, west, australian, football, league, various, incarnations, season, opened, march, concluded, september, with, 1983, wafl, grand, final, contested, between, claremont, swan, districts, teams8premiersswan, districts, premiership. The 1983 WAFL season was the 99th season of the West Australian Football League in its various incarnations The season opened on 31 March and concluded on 17 September with the 1983 WAFL Grand Final contested between Claremont and Swan Districts 1983 WAFL seasonTeams8PremiersSwan Districts 5th premiership Minor premiersSouth Fremantle 9th minor premiership Matches played88Sandover MedallistJohn Ironmonger East Perth Bryan Cousins Perth a Bernie Naylor MedallistWarren Ralph Claremont 19821984 South Fremantle after a disappointing 1982 and Claremont dominated the competition for most of the year before Swans after a slow start due to numerous injuries with four losses from eight matches came home very strongly for a second premiership win in a row East Perth with a new coach and required to play fourteen men new to league football missed the finals for only the second time in eighteen seasons and indeed only the fifth since their dynasty between 1956 and 1961 1 though a reserves premiership after a drawn preliminary final was partial compensation The continuing fall in WAFL attendances despite the growth of Perth s metropolitan population 2 loss of many star players to the VFL and resultant financial difficulties for all clubs led the government of Brian Burke to undergo a review of the WAFL s needs especially club finances and ground leases but future seasons did not prove the move successful In an effort to update their images East Fremantle adopted the moniker Sharks and West Perth the Falcons and despite considerable scepticism both clubs have retained these nicknames to the present The blue and whites dominated the pre season 3 and recovered from a very bad start in the home and away rounds to reach fourth position in the last round but were out of their depths against the top three who lost only three matches to the remaining five teams all season The Sharks did win the experimental Emu Export lightning carnival held at Subiaco Oval on May 14 and 15 which was regarded by the WAFL as a major flop and never repeated 4 For the first time the WAFL allowed six home and away matches to be played on Sunday and televised direct to Perth viewers but attendances at these matches were about half what would have happened otherwise 5 and the WAFL abandoned this for the 1984 season Contents 1 Home and away season 1 1 Round 1 1 2 Round 2 Easter weekend 1 3 Round 3 1 4 Round 4 1 5 Round 5 1 6 Round 6 1 7 Round 7 1 8 Emu Export Lightning Cup 1 8 1 First round 1 8 2 Second round 1 8 3 Final 1 9 Round 8 1 10 Round 9 1 11 Round 10 Foundation Day 1 12 Round 11 1 13 Round 12 1 14 Round 13 1 15 Round 14 1 16 Round 15 1 17 State of Origin match 1 18 Round 16 1 19 Round 17 1 20 Round 18 1 21 Round 19 1 22 Round 20 1 23 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 Notes 5 References 6 External linksHome and away season EditRound 1 Edit Round 1Saturday 26 March Perth 12 11 83 def by South Fremantle 19 22 136 Lathlain Park crowd 6798 Saturday 26 March Swan Districts 20 8 128 def by Claremont 26 12 168 Bassendean Oval crowd 12452 Saturday 26 March East Fremantle 15 13 103 def by Subiaco 22 16 148 East Fremantle Oval crowd 6129 Sunday 27 March West Perth 18 26 134 def East Perth 17 13 115 Leederville Oval crowd 13860 6 Traditional rivals West and East Perth meet in the first WAFL match to be direct telecast to local areas On a hot 35 9 C 96 6 F day Claremont s new look centreline incorporating former forward Malaxos runs over Swans in a convincing reversal of the Grand Final 7 Subiaco produce surprising form for three quarters against an East Fremantle team that dominated the pre season the Lions rotation of four ruckmen in the hot conditions works to their advantage and they lead by fifty six points at three quarter time 3 Round 2 Easter weekend Edit Round 2Saturday 2 April South Fremantle 18 11 119 def West Perth 16 8 104 Fremantle Oval crowd 13077 Saturday 2 April Subiaco 20 18 138 def Perth 11 14 80 Subiaco Oval crowd 6818 Monday 4 April East Perth 22 9 141 def by Swan Districts 23 20 158 Perth Oval crowd 14160 8 Monday 4 April Claremont 27 15 177 def East Fremantle 13 5 83 Claremont Oval crowd 7474 Swan Districts steal a high scoring game from the Royals after having been behind by 21 29 and 25 points at each change Led by brilliant Aboriginal wingman Greg Kelly Subiaco surpass their 1982 winning tally after two games against a Perth team that wastes the strong breeze in the first and third quarters 9 Round 3 Edit Round 3Saturday 9 April Subiaco 9 19 73 def by South Fremantle 27 22 184 Subiaco Oval crowd 12653 Saturday 9 April West Perth 22 24 156 def Perth 14 10 94 Leederville Oval crowd 7874 Saturday 9 April East Perth 13 8 86 def by Claremont 23 22 160 Perth Oval crowd 10970 10 Saturday 9 April East Fremantle 9 9 63 def by Swan Districts 18 24 132 East Fremantle Oval crowd 5827 Although East Fremantle led by first game centre half forward Ray Sterrett stay with Swan Districts for a half the Swans despite losing Peter Sartori with a finger injury completely dominate the second half for a third crushing loss by the pre season pacesetters 11 South Fremantle burst the Subiaco bubble despite losing in the key forward positions all match as interchange Chris Stasinowsky kicks an astonishing 11 3 69 after coming on in a forward pocket midway through the second quarter 12 Round 4 Edit Round 4Saturday 16 April West Perth 20 18 138 def Swan Districts 10 13 73 Subiaco Oval crowd 14850 Saturday 16 April Perth 13 15 93 def by East Perth 18 19 127 Lathlain Park crowd 5527 Saturday 16 April Claremont 17 15 117 def Subiaco 15 10 100 Claremont Oval crowd 6695 Sunday 17 April South Fremantle 24 16 160 def East Fremantle 14 9 93 Fremantle Oval crowd 9972 After being two points down early in the third quarter South Fremantle kick the next nine goals for a win the makes a mockery of East Fremantle s new image 13 Swan Districts play so poorly scoring only 3 7 25 to 14 15 99 after the seventeen minute mark of the second quarter that coach John Todd withdraws the 7200 payment for the match 14 Young tall and hard working ruckman Laurie Keene nearly leads Subiaco to a huge upset over unbeaten Claremont but lack of speed in the forward line proves too much of a stumbling block 15 Round 5 Edit Round 5Saturday 23 April Swan Districts 21 18 144 def Subiaco 17 8 110 Bassendean Oval crowd 8820 Saturday 23 April East Perth 19 14 128 def by South Fremantle 28 14 182 Perth Oval crowd 9027 Saturday 23 April West Perth 11 8 74 def by Claremont 22 15 147 Subiaco Oval crowd 15784 Saturday 23 April East Fremantle 19 22 136 def Perth 10 11 71 East Fremantle Oval crowd 4973 16 South Fremantle kick 12 4 76 to 3 4 22 after scores were level at three quarter time to stay unbeaten in Bruce Monteath s 100th match for them Monteath kicks four of their final quarter goal spree 17 Although Ralph finished with 11 6 72 it is Claremont s solid risk free defence that wins the kudos for a fine victory over the new look West Perth in perfect weather for high scoring 18 Round 6 Edit Round 6Saturday 30 April South Fremantle 24 22 166 def Swan Districts 13 18 96 Fremantle Oval crowd 14126 Saturday 30 April Subiaco 12 17 89 def by East Perth 19 13 127 Subiaco Oval crowd 7520 Saturday 30 April Perth 15 14 104 def by Claremont 17 18 120 Lathlain Park crowd 4027 Saturday 30 April West Perth 19 15 129 def by East Fremantle 19 19 133 Leederville Oval crowd 6839 A superb opening quarter in front of a packed crowd turns an eagerly awaited match into a procession South Fremantle centreman Brad Hardie has 29 kicks and scores 5 5 35 19 Allen Daniels proves the barrier to a huge upset by winless Perth with six kicks in fifteen minutes of the final quarter after the Demons come within four points 20 Round 7 Edit Round 7Saturday 7 May West Perth 17 18 120 def Subiaco 9 19 73 Leederville Oval crowd 6480 Saturday 7 May Swan Districts 17 25 127 def Perth 15 13 103 Bassendean Oval crowd 6127 21 Saturday 7 May Claremont 17 10 112 def South Fremantle 15 16 106 Claremont Oval crowd 18268 Saturday 7 May East Perth 31 18 204 def East Fremantle 18 12 120 Subiaco Oval crowd 6813 A record Claremont Oval crowd 22 sees claremoent win the battle of the unbeaten teams owing to some imaginative coaching from Graham Moss The scoreline is misleading as South Fremantle were never within thirteen points between early in the first quarter and time on in the last 23 After a basketball like first quarter with sixteen goals scored 24 East Perth led by the unstoppable Ironmonger take complete control for a record score against East Fremantle 25 Emu Export Lightning Cup Edit First round Edit Winning team Winning team score Losing team Losing team score Ground Crowd DateEast Fremantle 11 5 71 East Perth 0 5 5 Subiaco Oval 7950 Saturday 14 MayPerth 4 3 27 Subiaco 1 5 11 Subiaco Oval 7950 Saturday 14 MayEast Perth 7 3 45 West Perth 6 5 41 Subiaco Oval 7950 Saturday 14 MayEast Fremantle 9 6 60 Claremont 5 5 35 Subiaco Oval 7950 Saturday 14 MaySouth Fremantle 8 5 53 Perth 5 0 30 Subiaco Oval 7950 Saturday 14 MaySwan Districts 8 7 55 Subiaco 6 2 38 Subiaco Oval 7950 Saturday 14 MayClaremont 8 4 52 West Perth 3 6 24 Subiaco Oval 7950 Saturday 14 MaySwan Districts 6 8 44 South Fremantle 1 7 13 Subiaco Oval 7950 Saturday 14 MaySecond round Edit Winning team Winning team score Losing team Losing team score Ground Crowd DateSouth Fremantle 6 5 41 Subiaco 5 2 32 Subiaco Oval 3870 Sunday 15 MayClaremont 12 6 78 East Perth 4 3 27 Subiaco Oval 3870 Sunday 15 MayEast Fremantle 5 9 39 West Perth 6 2 38 Subiaco Oval 3870 Sunday 15 MaySwan Districts 2 12 24 Perth 2 7 19 Subiaco Oval 3870 Sunday 15 MayFinal Edit Emu Export Loans Lightning Premiership FinalSunday 15 May East Fremantle 9 10 64 def Swan Districts 6 14 50 Subiaco Oval crowd 3870 East Fremantle take their first title since 1979 in an experimental series regarded as a flop with the crowd in dry weather less than half that observed in damp conditions the preceding day 4 Round 8 Edit Round 8Saturday 21 May South Fremantle 26 18 174 def Perth 12 18 90 Fremantle Oval crowd 6536 Saturday 21 May East Perth 19 18 132 def West Perth 10 9 69 Perth Oval crowd 13343 Saturday 21 May Subiaco 18 10 118 def by East Fremantle 19 18 132 Subiaco Oval crowd 5027 26 Sunday 22 May Claremont 24 17 161 def Swan Districts 18 19 127 Claremont Oval crowd 6597 Peter Dawson aged twenty four and sixteen year old Richard Dennis emerge as a top wing duo as fierce tackling aids East Perth to dominate both the centreline and the Falcons 27 Warren Ralph s 10 4 64 wins a superb quality Sunday game against a depleted Swan Districts team led by strongman Ron Boucher who picks off the man of the match awards but cannot by himself contain the Tigers 28 Round 9 Edit Round 9Saturday 28 May South Fremantle 22 16 148 def West Perth 16 16 112 Subiaco Oval crowd 11420 Saturday 28 May Swan Districts 26 20 176 def East Perth 19 16 130 Bassendean Oval crowd 13127 Saturday 28 May Perth 29 15 189 def Subiaco 19 7 121 Lathlain Park crowd 4130 29 Saturday 28 May East Fremantle 24 18 162 def Claremont 19 15 129 East Fremantle Oval crowd 6813 The old firm of Stephen Michael and Noel Carter the latter now playing in the centre drives South Fremantle to victory and top position with seven of the last nine goals after West Perth draw close 30 East Fremantle via sheer enthusiasm and pressure outplay the previously unbeaten Tigers in every department to issue a strong challenge to West Perth East Perth and Swan Districts for a place in the four 31 In their first victory for the season Perth kick their highest ever score against Subiaco 32 Round 10 Foundation Day Edit Round 10Monday 6 June West Perth 15 21 111 def by Swan Districts 16 18 114 Leederville Oval crowd 11728 Monday 6 June East Perth 22 21 153 def Perth 10 12 72 Perth Oval crowd 5840 Monday 6 June Subiaco 14 15 99 def by Claremont 24 10 154 Subiaco Oval crowd 4791 Monday 6 June East Fremantle 19 13 127 def by South Fremantle 18 20 128 East Fremantle Oval crowd 17560 The move of Graeme Comerford from full forward to centre half forward where he kicks 7 1 43 against State star Murray Rance would have brought the Falcons a crucial victory but for very poor kicking in front of goal 33 In the first one point result in WAFL for three seasons 34 East Fremantle with seventeen fit players just fail to hold off the pacesetters Second game future St Kilda star Nicky Winmar kicks three decisive last quarter goals 35 Round 11 Edit Round 11Saturday 11 June South Fremantle 26 29 185 def Subiaco 9 4 58 Fremantle Oval crowd 5950 Saturday 11 June Perth 21 14 140 def by West Perth 27 11 173 Subiaco Oval crowd 5009 36 Saturday 11 June Claremont 13 9 87 def by East Perth 18 16 124 Claremont Oval crowd 9837 Saturday 11 June Swan Districts 30 15 195 def East Fremantle 15 11 101 Bassendean Oval crowd 10960 East Perth produce a fine display against Claremont avoiding the fadeouts that had plagued their previous games against the top three 37 Swan Districts kick a club record score against East Fremantle 38 with a completely dominant first half as their centreline of Leon Baker Mike Smith and Phil Narkle completely dominates what the ABC called in analogy with a partial solar eclipse in Perth a total eclipse of the Sharks 39 South Fremantle s thrashing of Subiaco leads the Lions to sack coach Peter Daniel after only eleven games 40 Replacement Brian Fairclough lasts only ten games himself Round 12 Edit Round 12Saturday 18 June Subiaco 12 19 91 def by Swan Districts 13 25 103 Subiaco Oval crowd 4423 41 Saturday 18 June West Perth 9 14 68 def by Claremont 18 16 124 Leederville Oval crowd 8275 Saturday 18 June Perth 18 16 124 def by East Fremantle 18 23 131 Lathlain Park crowd 3670 Sunday 19 June South Fremantle 16 23 119 def East Perth 11 14 80 Fremantle Oval crowd 6583 Rain and gloom late in the match seem to produce a lapse among the Perth players who miss a rare win in a match where for three quarters East Fremantle were lucky to stay in striking distance 42 Round 13 Edit Round 13Saturday 25 June Swan Districts 18 19 127 def South Fremantle 10 15 75 Bassendean Oval crowd 14760 Saturday 25 June Subiaco 20 7 127 def East Perth 15 11 101 Subiaco Oval crowd 4633 Saturday 25 June Claremont 22 16 148 def Perth 15 10 100 Claremont Oval crowd 3771 Saturday 25 June East Fremantle 16 8 104 def West Perth 15 11 101 East Fremantle Oval crowd 5810 The reigning premiers achieve their best and most important victory of the season in slippery 43 windy conditions as their pressure disorganises the dangerous Bulldog forwards 44 Clinton Brown with ten goals in difficult conditions one via a superb wrong side shot from the boundary leads Subiaco to their first win since 2 April and leaves East Perth in the four only by percentage 45 Round 14 Edit Round 14Saturday 2 July Subiaco 17 10 112 def West Perth 15 18 108 Subiaco Oval crowd 7060 Saturday 2 July Perth 17 14 116 def by Swan Districts 23 15 153 Lathlain Park crowd 5697 Saturday 2 July South Fremantle 17 12 114 def Claremont 16 13 109 Fremantle Oval crowd 13975 Saturday 2 July East Perth 17 16 118 def East Fremantle 15 20 110 Perth Oval crowd 8137 In the best and toughest match so far in 1983 South Fremantle gain a starling last minute win over a depleted and inaccurate Claremont team 46 A thrilling contest filled with desperation and toughness leaves East Perth a game and 21 5 percent clear in fourth position as East Fremantle s inaccuracy during a dominant third quarter proves critical 47 West Perth coach Dennis Cometti is left ruing a fourth straight loss that leaves his team two games out of the four Subiaco s spearheads a major weakness in recent seasons win for them as Clint Brown and Brain McFaull boot nine goals between them whereas the Falcons lack a dominant player in attack 48 Round 15 Edit Round 15Saturday 9 July Perth 12 12 84 def by South Fremantle 12 16 88 Lathlain Park crowd 4359 Saturday 9 July West Perth 6 12 48 def by East Perth 17 12 114 Leederville Oval crowd 7332 Saturday 9 July Swan Districts 14 10 94 def Claremont 8 16 64 Bassendean Oval crowd 10183 Saturday 9 July East Fremantle 19 26 140 def Subiaco 8 11 59 East Fremantle Oval crowd 4414 49 West Perth who fail to goal after the fifteen minute mark of the second quarter as future Collingwood star Michael Christian uses spoiling tactics to devastating effect 50 are virtually out of the running with their tenth defeat in twelve matches The Falcons are the first WAFL team goalless for a half of football since East Fremantle in the second and third quarters in the penultimate round of 1981 and the first goalless in the second half since Swan Districts against East Perth in Round 19 of 1975 State of Origin match Edit Western Australia vs VictoriaTuesday 12 July Western Australia def Victoria Subiaco Oval crowd 44 213 51 5 6 36 6 13 49 11 19 85 16 22 118 Q1Q2Q3 Final 5 4 34 10 9 69 13 15 93 16 19 115 Umpires Michael Ball Kevin Smith Simpson Medal Maurice RioliBuckenara 7 1Taylor 2 4Ralph 2 2Sidebottom 1 3Johnson 1 1Richardson Blackwell Michael 1 0Buhagiar 0 4Rioli 0 2Rance Panizza Bosustow 0 1 Goals 3 2 Wallace3 1 Lee2 1 Knights Madden1 1 Weightman Daniher1 0 Johnston Royal Watson Flower0 2 Tuck0 1 Raines Cunningham Greene ConlanWestern Australia win the title of Australian football champions and leave Victoria winless for the first time via a stirring comeback win led by seven goal Hawthorn star Buckenara Round 16 Edit Round 16Saturday 16 July East Perth 14 15 99 def by Swan Districts 20 26 146 Perth Oval crowd 13931 Saturday 16 July Subiaco 13 10 88 def by Perth 19 20 134 Subiaco Oval crowd 3903 Saturday 16 July Claremont 26 22 178 def East Fremantle 12 9 81 Claremont Oval crowd 7963 Sunday 17 July South Fremantle 16 17 113 def West Perth 13 13 91 Fremantle Oval crowd 8010 52 After ruckman Baden Harper adjusts his back brace Claremont become unstoppable in a game thought by critics as tough for them to win scoring 20 7 127 after half time despite rain in the final quarter 53 Round 17 Edit Round 17Saturday 23 July Subiaco 14 15 99 def by South Fremantle 27 18 180 Subiaco Oval crowd 4727 Saturday 23 July West Perth 12 14 86 def Perth 11 17 83 Leederville Oval crowd 4935 Saturday 23 July East Perth 8 7 55 def by Claremont 20 19 139 Perth Oval crowd 9436 Saturday 23 July East Fremantle 8 8 56 def by Swan Districts 13 22 100 East Fremantle Oval crowd 7810 Swan Districts win their ninth consecutive match with a relentless display into a northerly gale during the first quarter and three brilliant long goals after the Sharks looked like holding them out during most of the second stanza 54 Claremont s remarkable tally of 166 handballs 21 from Wayne Blackwell bewilders East Perth in the very windy conditions and shows severe weaknesses in the Royals running game 55 Round 18 Edit Round 18Saturday 30 July Perth 21 16 142 def East Perth 17 9 111 Lathlain Park crowd 5237 Saturday 30 July Claremont 37 19 241 def Subiaco 11 9 75 Claremont Oval crowd 4210 56 Saturday 30 July South Fremantle 21 22 148 def East Fremantle 11 10 76 Fremantle Oval crowd 12730 Sunday 31 July Swan Districts 18 19 127 def West Perth 15 14 104 Bassendean Oval crowd 9211 Swan Districts record their tenth consecutive victory against an inspired West Perth in Les Fong s two hundredth match The Falcons match the pacesetters for three quarters before Swans greater class decides 57 Warren Ralph kicks sixteen goals two behinds the most goals in a WA N FL match since Bernie Naylor s record 23 goal haul in 1953 against Subiaco 58 for Claremont as the Tigers just fail to break their record for the highest WAFL first quarter and match scores 59 Perth produce their first win against a team other than Subiaco since the corresponding round of 1981 by beating East Perth at that club s own game of strength and persistence Cousins Yorgey and Cam Shepard dominate for the Demons 60 Round 19 Edit Round 19Saturday 6 August Swan Districts 26 22 178 def Subiaco 5 8 38 Bassendean Oval crowd 3980 61 Saturday 6 August East Perth 15 11 101 def by South Fremantle 24 11 155 Perth Oval crowd 8818 Saturday 6 August Claremont 26 13 169 def West Perth 16 13 109 Claremont Oval crowd 6858 Saturday 6 August East Fremantle 21 20 146 def Perth 15 21 111 East Fremantle Oval crowd 5052 East Perth president Mal Atwell protests at Mal Brown s spitting on an East Perth member after an incident during the opening quarter between Bulldog Stephen Michael and Royal David Morgan 62 Subiaco thrashed by Swans kick the lowest score in the WAFL since 1980 and in fact the lowest by any visiting team at Bassendean until Peel kicked 4 6 30 in Round 12 of 2003 63 Round 20 Edit Round 20Saturday 13 August South Fremantle 18 25 133 def Swan Districts 11 23 89 Fremantle Oval crowd 15290 Saturday 13 August East Perth 22 18 150 def Subiaco 9 12 66 Perth Oval crowd 3257 Saturday 13 August Perth 8 15 63 def by Claremont 21 17 143 Lathlain Park crowd 3800 Saturday 13 August West Perth 11 13 79 def by East Fremantle 16 17 113 Leederville Oval crowd 6375 An influenza epidemic depletes Swan Districts and the Bulldogs finish their home season unbeaten despite having one goal and fourteen behinds on the board at one stage of the second quarter they compensated with eight straight goals into the wind during the final stanza 64 Despite being without skipper Alexander Kevin Taylor and Rod Lester Smith East Fremantle gained a third and most critical win over West Perth to set up a last round mini elimination final with perennial finalists East Perth 65 Round 21 Edit Round 21Saturday 20 August Subiaco 15 15 105 def by West Perth 16 20 116 Subiaco Oval crowd 3320 Saturday 20 August Swan Districts 25 21 171 def Perth 14 8 92 Bassendean Oval crowd 4217 Saturday 20 August Claremont 21 12 138 def South Fremantle 15 19 109 Claremont Oval crowd 13810 Saturday 20 August East Fremantle 19 16 130 def East Perth 12 9 81 East Fremantle Oval crowd 14924 Skill and enthusiasm compared by football writers with a similar win against West Perth in the final round of 1961 allow East Fremantle to enter the top four for the first time in 1983 Shane Ellis is unbeatable for the Sharks in defence 66 Claremont s greater speed ensures a comfortable win in the second semi final preview and createst sizeable worries for a South Fremantle team that previously felt itself coasting towards a premiership 67 East Perth fails to qualify for the finals for the first time since 1974 and only the second since 1965 In the process East Fremantle break their first run of ten consecutive losses against one opponent since 1909 and only their second ever 68 Ladder Edit1983 ladder Pos Team Pld W L D PF PA PP Pts1 South Fremantle 21 18 3 0 2922 2070 141 2 722 Claremont 21 17 4 0 2985 2061 144 8 683 Swan Districts P 21 16 5 0 2758 2260 122 0 644 East Fremantle 21 10 11 0 2340 2690 87 0 405 East Perth 21 9 12 0 2477 2522 98 2 366 West Perth 21 7 14 0 2230 2452 90 9 287 Subiaco 21 4 17 0 1987 2986 66 5 168 Perth 21 3 18 0 2168 2826 76 7 12Source WAFL Footy FactsRules for classification 1 points 2 percentage 3 number of points for P PremiersFinals EditFirst semi final Edit First semi finalSaturday 27 August Swan Districts 21 25 151 def East Fremantle 13 14 92 Subiaco Oval crowd 23 345 69 East Fremantle who finished six games behind the top three and were without Kevin Taylor and first year future West Coast star Michael Brennan 70 were never in the hunt after kicking into the breeze upon winning the toss in what turned out a forgettable match Second semi final Edit Second semi finalSaturday 3 September South Fremantle 14 26 110 def by Claremont 20 11 131 Subiaco Oval crowd 22 947 71 South s inaccuracy going from 4 2 26 to 4 14 38 during the second quarter ruins a superb comeback in wet 72 and windy conditions after half time The Bulldogs reduced a sixty six point deficit to ten points before Claremont steady South had more possession but wasted chances despite Bruce Monteath kicking 6 7 43 in a superb display at full forward Preliminary final Edit Preliminary finalSaturday 10 September South Fremantle 15 11 101 def by Swan Districts 26 19 175 Subiaco Oval crowd 33 585 73 Swan Districts produced a flawless team display to thrash a South Fremantle team whose lack of pace tells under the pressure on a warm day It was the Swans first ever finals win over South Fremantle Grand Final Edit Main article 1983 WAFL Grand Final 1983 WAFL Grand FinalSaturday 17 September Claremont def by Swan Districts Subiaco Oval crowd 47 760 74 1 5 11 5 7 37 9 8 62 12 11 83 Q1Q2Q3 Final 3 3 21 9 6 60 13 12 90 15 14 104 Umpires Mike Ball David Rowe Simpson Medal Brad Shine Swan Districts Ralph 3 Larry Kickett Burns Blackwell Brett Farmer Mitchell Malaxos Daniel Watson Pearce Goals Sartori 3 Baker 2 Shine 2 Holmes 2 Cransberg Langsford Skwrowski Smith Nowotny Phil NarkleMoss Aitken Michael O Connell Kickett Watson Reynolds Best Sartori Langsford Shine Rance Skwrowski Cransberg Solin Phil NarkleSwans produce another fine team effort to win their second consecutive premiership and send retiring veteran Stan Nowotny out on a high note Notes Edita Cousins lost on a countback but was awarded a retrospective Medal in 1997 References Edit Christian Geoff Alexander to Think It Over The West Australian 22 August 1983 pp 84 80 See Barker Anthony J Behind the Play A History of Football in Western Australia ISBN 0975242709 a b Young Doug Subiaco s Victory Looks Ominous The West Australian 28 March 1983 p 69 a b Christian Geoff No Say the Fans The West Australian 16 May 1983 pp 72 67 Christian Geoff Telecasts Should Be Reviewed The West Australian 20 June 1983 p 84 Christian Geoff Falcons Rally Under Pressure The West Australian 28 March 1983 pp 72 68 Christian Geoff Tigers Planning Pays Dividends The West Australian 28 March 1983 p 68 Christian Geoff Royals Bring Out Best in Swans The West Australian 4 April 1983 pp 72 71 Christian Geoff Subiaco Are Ready for Next Challenge The West Australian 4 April 1983 p 64 Wainwright Robert Hurdle too High for East Perth The West Australian 11 April 1983 p 68 Young Doug The Signs Were There The West Australian 11 April 1983 p 68 Christian Geoff South Open the Floodgates The West Australian 11 April 1983 p 60 Christian Geoff South Sink the Sharks Move to Top The West Australian 18 April 1983 p 88 Casellas Ken No Pay for the Humbled Swans The West Australian 18 April 1983 p 88 Wright Steve So Near Yet So Far for Subiaco The West Australian 18 April 1983 p 88 Wright Steve Sharks Think Positively The West Australian 25 April 1983 p 54 Christian Geoff South Start and Finish Strongly The West Australian 25 April 1983 p 54 Casellas Ken Claremont Defence Earns Star Billing The West Australian 25 April 1983 p 54 Christian Geoff South s Early Blitz Sinks the Swans The West Australian 2 May 1983 p 64 Casellas Ken Daniels Repels Perth Challenge The West Australian 2 May 1983 p 64 Wright Steve Blackaby Makes Stylish Return The West Australian 9 May 1983 p 67 West Australian Football League Biggest Home and Away Crowds Archived from the original on 24 December 2013 Retrieved 31 December 2013 Christian Geoff Claremont Victory a Tactical Triumph The West Australian 9 May 1983 p 65 Wainwright Robert Magro Overcomes Series of Setbacks The West Australian 9 May 1983 p 66 WAFL Footy Facts East Perth v East Fremantle Archived from the original on 14 May 2014 Retrieved 3 June 2014 Wright Steve Early Blitz Sinks Lions The West Australian 23 May 1983 p 58 Casellas Ken East Perth Wingers Emerge as Stars The West Australian 23 May 1983 p 58 Christian Geoff Tigers in Thriller Ralph Is the Hero The West Australian 23 May 1983 pp 64 58 Wainwright Robert Perth s Forwards More Purposeful The West Australian 30 May 1983 p 65 Christian Geoff Michael Carter to the Fore Again The West Australian 30 May 1983 p 64 Wright Steve Aggressive Sharks Tame the Tigers The West Australian 30 May 1983 p 64 WAFL Footy Facts Perth v Subiaco Wainwright Robert Swans Swoop in a Thriller The West Australian 7 June 1983 p 91 WAFL Footy Facts All Teams 1 Point Winning Margins Archived from the original on 6 June 2014 Retrieved 4 June 2014 Christian Geoff Last kick Thriller in Derby The West Australian 7 June 1983 pp 92 90 Casellas Ken Duckworth Cuts Loose The West Australian 13 June 1983 p 56 Christian Geoff East Perth Will Be Hard to Shift The West Australian 13 June 1983 pp 61 56 WAFL Footy Facts Swan Districts v East Fremantle Archived from the original on 6 June 2014 Retrieved 4 June 2014 Wright Steve Shadow Cast Over Sharks The West Australian 13 June 1983 p 57 History Timeline Subiaco Football Club Young Doug Lions Rally Predictable The West Australian 20 June 1983 p 57 Wainwright Robert Perth s Lapse Proves Costly The West Australian 13 June 1983 p 57 See Perth Regional Office 009034 June 1983 rainfall Wainwright Robert Swans Knock South off the Rails The West Australian 27 June 1983 p 60 Wright Steve Subiaco s Taste of Glory The West Australian 27 June 1983 p 60 Christian Geoff South Snatch All the Spoils The West Australian 4 July 1983 p 64 Wright Steve There s Nothing Between Easts The West Australian 4 July 1983 p 65 Young Doug Close Yet So Far The West Australian 4 July 1983 p 65 Young Doug Taylor Worthy of a Medal The West Australian 11 July 1983 p 93 Wainwright Robert Falcons Fans Go into Mourning The West Australian 11 July 1983 p 92 Christian Geoff WA Football s Day to Remember The West Australian 13 July 1983 p 112 Christian Geoff Low Key South Do Just Enough The West Australian 18 July 1983 pp 68 64 Wright Steve Claremont Find Their Sparkle The West Australian 18 July 1983 p 65 Christian Geoff Swans Simply Too Resolute The West Australian 25 July 1983 p 64 Wainwright Robert Claremont Make Handball Tell The West Australian 25 July 1983 p 64 Wright Steve Claremont Were Simply Brilliant The West Australian 1 August 1983 p 64 Christian Geoff Swans Rally Tames Spirited Falcons The West Australian 1 August 1983 pp 68 65 Best Since Naylor The West Australian 1 August 1983 p 64 WAFL Footy Facts Claremont v Subiaco Round 18 1983 Archived from the original on 22 September 2013 Retrieved 26 August 2013 Wainwright Robert Perth Fans Relish Taste of Victory The West Australian 1 August 1983 p 64 Young Doug Subiaco at Rock Bottom The West Australian 8 August 1983 p 73 Christian Geoff Spitting Incident Royals Want an Apology The West Australian 8 August 1983 p 76 WAFL Footy Facts Bassendean Oval Archived September 21 2013 at the Wayback Machine Christian Geoff Carter Matera Show the Way The West Australian 15 August 1983 p 76 Young Doug Fields Shines in the Centre The West Australian 15 August 1983 p 76 Christian Geoff East Fremantle Spirit Lives On The West Australian 22 August 1983 p 80 Casellas Ken Claremont Spirit Lives On The West Australian 22 August 1983 p 80 WAFL Footy Facts East Fremantle Most Consecutive Losses v Each Opponent Christian Geoff Real Battle Starts This Week The West Australian 29 August 1983 pp 72 68 Christian Geoff Sharks Can Look to Rosy Future The West Australian 29 August 1983 p 69 Christian Geoff Moss Sets the Standard for Stirring Victory The West Australian 5 September 1983 p 80 Perth Regional Office 009034 September 1983 rainfall Christian Geoff Swans Get into Top Gear The West Australian 12 September 1983 p 88 Christian Geoff Swans Get It Right The West Australian 19 September 1983 pp 76 72External links EditOfficial WAFL website Australian Football WAFL Season 1983 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 1983 WAFL season amp oldid 1084483941, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
