The 1995 WAFL season was the 111th season of the West Australian Football League in its various incarnations. Already depleted in strength by the rise of the West Coast Eagles, the WAFL suffered a further blow to its popularity and standard when the AFL, to counter the Eagles’ dominance of the early 1990s with a champion defence and vast player depth, introduced the Fremantle Dockers as a second Western Australian club.
The introduction of Fremantle into the AFL meant that the national league was competing with the WAFL on every weekend, and this led to an acceleration of the long-term decline in WAFL attendances. Crowds declined by forty-six percent compared to 1994 figures,[1] and the resultant financial problems led to many proposals to improve the competition's appeal, ultimately leading to the abortive renaming ‘Westar Rules’ and the introduction of a ninth club, Mandurah-basedPeel Thunder, who have proved perennially un-competitive on-field. The WAFL's proposed move of perennial tailender Perth to the Perth Hills was voted down by the Demons’ board on 11 July, when that body's members voted 115 to 83 to remain at Lathlain Park, largely because of the unaffordability of WAFL-standard facilities in Gosnells.[2]
1995 saw the abandonment of another abortive experiment, that of allowing a fifth team in the finals, although the “double-header” introduced with the final five in 1991 was retained for the first week of finals.
Under former star player Gary Buckenara, Subiaco dominated the home-and-away season losing only two matches, but were narrowly beaten in the second semi-final and thrashed in the Grand Final by West Perth – now firmly established at Joondalup – due to an outstanding performance from Darren Harris. Subiaco were spearheaded by full-forward Jason Heatley, who after several years of very poor records from full-forwards, produced a century of goals in a WAFL home-and-away season for the first time since Mick Rea ten seasons beforehand. The Falcons, who had not won a title since 1975 apart from a Colts premiership in 1990, won the pre-season ‘Emu Export Cup’ as well as the premiership.[3]
In contrast, Swan Districts, under new coach Graham Melrose after John Todd returned to South Fremantle and having lost several key players including David Ogg, Kevin Caton and Paul Gow to country clubs,[4] lost their first fifteen games and would not return to the finals until 2004. A plan to install lights at Bassendean for $160,000 was abandoned by the local council because it was thought there would be too much competition with sports such as basketball and soccer,[5] whilst longtime president Bill Walker resigned under the duress of major financial problems.[6]
In a rough match marred by the report of the fiery Karl Langdon (who was found not guilty[8]), new Subiaco coach Buckenara makes a masterstroke of using the fiery forward at the centre bounces to successfully unsettle Swan Districts, who do not goal until less than a minute before the half-time siren.[9]
Defying pre-season predictions of a wooden spoon,[4] East Perth are led by a debutant Dean Grainger to hold off a determined Demon charge at the finish.[10]
Subiaco claim a brilliant comeback victory from twenty points down against the breeze with superb work from centre half-forward Andrew Donnelly and an amazing fifty-metre goal from Glenelg recruit Hamish Stuart.[11]
With Fremantle-listed forward Chris Groom kicking eight goals, West Perth race away from their traditional rivals as the tired Royals cannot pressure the Falcon running brigade.[12]
Subiaco play two games at West Perth’s former home of Leederville Oval due to redevelopment at Subiaco.
Peter Sumich in only his second WAFL game for six seasons, plays for the Bulldogs at centre half-back, but Lions’ rookie Rob Hansen kicks winning goal after siren.[13]
Claremont captain-coach Daniel Panizza breaks Ken Caporn’s club record of 273 league games, but has to watch his first win as a senior coach due to injury and the Tigers struggle to hold out Swans.[14]
Despite excellent form from nomadic ex-Geelong reserves rover Scott Loving, East Perth are swamped by an eleven-goal last quarter blitz that makes coach Robert Solin call the club’s form “unacceptable”.
East Perth inflict Subiaco’s first defeat despite shocking inaccuracy as their midfield mans up brilliantly to shut down the dangerous Lion attack.[17]
Former Claremont centreman Rob Malone’s handball devastates the unbeaten Sharks and provides West perths best win of the first half of the season.[19]
Heatley kicks 10.5 (65) for the Lions, figures he was to better a few weeks later, in the last WAFL/Westar Rules game at Leederville Oval until East Perth was forced to move there by the redevelopment of Perth Oval for the Perth Glory.
The presence of Eagle squad members Tony Godden and Jarrad Schofield gives Subiaco the class needed to crush the Falcons and return to top position. Schofield’s blocks and knock-ons consistently win the Lions crucial possessions.[20]
Former soccer and lacrosse junior Gavin Milentis reveals remarkable poise and exciting natural skills as the Tigers narrowly seize a seesawing battle.[21]
Future AFL regular Chad Rintoul stars for East Fremantle in his first WAFL game[22]
Despite losing Kingsley Hunter to a broken collarbone, Claremont easily defeat West Perth as Chris Gerreyn takes over in attack and Matthew Gauci shuts out the Falcon forwards.[24]
Chris Gerreyn kicks a goal after the siren for Claremont’s sixth consecutive victory – while all eighteen Sharks yell to put him off balance.[26]
Jason Heatley kicks 14 goals 6 behinds, the best figures ever in a match between Subiaco and Swan Districts, from 26 kicks and fourteen marks, as he seems to quash the doubted over his physique not being solid enough for a full-forward.[27]
David Glascott’s talent-spotting works wonders with former East Perth rover Dean Bertram, whose overlooked pace and skill ambushed the winless Swans. Bertram was discarded by the Royals and watched the opening game from the Lathlain Park grandstand.[28]
West Perth pay its respect to former champions Whinnen and Dempsey with a fine display into a strong breeze that restricts East Perth to three behinds in the last quarter.[29]
Despite the report of defender Denis Repacholi – who also had his jaw shattered – East Fremantle, with Lockyer kicking nine, snatch an unlikely Derby win after being behind for all of the second half.[30]
Despite ending a worrying slump, West Perth lose five key players to injury, have Todd Curley and Brendon Fewster reported (both were cleared) and face the top four in their next four matches.[33]
Former West Coast Eagle defender Andrew Lockyer kicks fourteen goals at full-forward for the Sharks, beating both Bob Johnson's thirteen goals at East Fremantle Oval against East Perth in 1965 and George Doig’s thirteen against Perth[a] in 1934.[34]
The toughness of former high school rugby league star Geoff Valentine and the brilliance of claremoent discard Brendan Barrows leads the Falcons to a confidence-boosting victory.[35]
A surprise decision to star former century goalkicker John Hutton at full-back pays off – he plays well in defence and kicks five goals from the eighteen-minute mark of the last quarter when returned to full-forward.[36]
On 1 July, there was a break from WAFL games for an interstate game with Queensland.
In heavy rain[37] and winds reaching 80 kilometres per hour (50 mph), Chris Gerreyn kicks Claremont’s only goal from a free kick after twelve minutes.[38]
It is the first single goal score in the WAFL since East Perth in 1956,[39] and the first of fewer than three since Swan Districts in 1968. The previous time a WAFL team did not goal after quarter-time was Subiaco against East Fremantle in 1954.
In the worst conditions in the WAFL for several seasons, Subiaco replicate previous strong finishes to kick eight of the final nine goals and move an amazing four wins clear at the top.[40]
West Perth coach John Dimmer’s skill in using AFL-listed Ashley Blurton in defence leads the Falcons to end Subiaco’s nine-match winning run in the tough conditions. West Perth shut down the Lions’ key forward targets and control the ball well in attack.[41]
In appalling conditions with heavy rain and darkness so complete Bassendean’s inadequate training lights are turned on, Swan Districts remain winless after again failing to play the full four quarters.[42]
South Fremantle, although lacking seven regular players, kick three goals in four minutes of time-on of the last quarter to end West Perth’s impressive winning sequence.[45]
John Porter produces a brilliant display on East Fremantle goal machine Andrew Lockyer making only one mistake – for the Sharks’ sole second half goal – in tough conditions.[46]
Swan Districts avoid a winless season in a comeback win after defender Todd Hawes is rushed to hospital with a bleeding larynx.[47]
West Perth, goalless at quarter-time, kick nine and eleven in their two quarters with the breeze to annihilate the Demons. Paul Mifka, who began at full-back, was moved to a half forward flank and kicked ten goals.[49]
A depleted Claremont team fails against a strengthened Bulldog outfit eager to obtain the double chance – in the process placing its finals hopes in severe jeopardy.[51]
Incredibly accurate kicking in wet conditions[52] allows Subiaco to hold off East Perth and end the Royals’ finals hopes, after being nineteen points behind early in the final quarter.[53]
A commanding win with eleven of twelve goals in a period of the second and third quarters claims second position for West Perth and confirm critical opinion of them as Subiaco’s biggest premiership rival.[55]
An innovative ploy by coach Panizza of using three wingmen helps Claremont narrowly stay in the running for the finals as their accuracy holds off a determined East Perth.[56]
Jason Heatley reached 100 goals with six during the first quarter, but tears a muscle in his left leg to place him in doubt for the finals.[57]
In a shootout reminiscent of the 1980s, West Perth kick 11.2 (68) in the last quarter but fail to knock off the Lions.
South Fremantle, after losing to bottom side Swan Districts, suffer a second embarrassing loss – they were fifty-eight points behind before kicking six of their final seven goals of the match – as their reliance in attack on Sumich and Dorotich has them undone upon their failure.[59]
A collision between Brendon Logan and Tiger defender Matthew Gauci seems to put Claremont off their game – West Perth kick six goals in ten minutes to turn a close match into a rout.[60]
Perth achieve an amazing win to send outgoing coach David Glascott out on a high, kicking 7.6 (48) to 1.1 (7) after having only four goals in three quarters.[61]
Nathan O‘Connor, in the extremely unfamiliar role of a “tagger”, shuts out dangerous East Fremantle midfielder Craig Treleven and sets up many Lion goals to prove the decisive factor in a close victory.[64]
Langdon for striking Curley Miller for using insulting gestures towards umpire.
A ferocious West Perth side breaks a twenty year premiership drought in the most violent WAFL Grand Final since 1981,[65] with Harris having an amazing 40 possessions and fullback Mifka keeping Heatley to just one goal.[66]
Notes
a Perth were known as Victoria Park in the 1934 and 1935 seasons. b The WAFL, along with the AFL, introduced extra time for finals tied in regulation time for the 1991 season.
References
^Barker, Anthony J.; Behind the Play: A History of Football in Western Australia, p. 316. ISBN0975242709
^Lague, Steve; ‘Members Vote to Keep Perth at Lathlain’; The West Australian, 12 July 1995, p. 122
^Lewis, Ross; ‘Symmons Shows Class’; The West Australian, 3 April 1995, p. 75
^ abLague, Steve; ‘WAFL Back on Course’; in The West Australian, 6 April 1995, pp. 104-105
^Lewis, Ross; ‘Blackout for Swans’; in The West Australian, 21 April 1995, p. 77
^‘Swans Call for Help’; in The West Australian, 24 May 1995, p. 79
^Casellas, Ken; ‘Dumped Krummel Leads Way’; The West Australian, 10 April 1995, p. 91
^Lague, Steve; ‘Langdon Not Guilty’; The West Australian, 11 April 1995, p. 74
^Lewis, Ross ‘Report Staggers Lions’; in The West Australian, 10 April 1995, p. 91
^Acott, Kent; ‘Grainger Flat Out for Royals’; The West Australian, 10 April 1995, p. 91
^Lague, Steve; ‘Lions Claim Points in Dying Moments’; The West Australian, 17 April 1995, p. 63
^Lague, Steve; ‘Falcons Too Strong for Royals’; The West Australian, 18 April 1995, p. 83
^‘Hansen a Saviour on League Debut’; in The West Australian; 26 April 1995; p. 115
^Lague, Steve; ‘Panizza Has Reason for Double-Up Celebration’; The West Australian, 24 April 1995, p. 79
^Lague, Steve; ‘Groom Back to Best’; The West Australian, 1 May 1995, p. 73
^Reid, Russell; ‘Stockden Displays Class for Sharks’; The West Australian, 1 May 1995, p. 74
^Lewis, Ross; ‘Royals Rise to the Bait’; The West Australian, 1 May 1995, p. 74
^Lewis, Ross; ‘Dominant Donnelly Leads Lions’; The West Australian, 8 May 1995, p. 85
^Lague, Steve; ‘Malone Proves He Has What It Takes’; The West Australian, 8 May 1995, p. 85
^Lague, Steve; ‘Subiaco Make Good Use of Eagles’ Members’; The West Australian, 24 April 1995, p. 79
^Casellas, Ken; ‘Switch from Soccer a Successful Move’; The West Australian, 15 May 1995, p. 75
^Reid, Russell; ‘Rintoul Off to Flying Start’; The West Australian; 15 May 1995; p. 75
^McKenzie, Bryan; ‘Lackluster Royals Thrash Swans’; The West Australian, 22 May 1995, p. 67
^Lewis, Ross; ‘Panizza Punts Come Up Triumps’; The West Australian, 22 May 1995, p. 67
^Reid, Russell; ‘State Bid Spurs Pears’; The West Australian, 29 May 1995, p. 75
^Lague, Steve; ‘Gerreyn the Hero for Second Time’; The West Australian, 29 May 1995, p. 75
^Casellas, Ken; ‘Heatley Believes He Has What It Takes’; The West Australian, 29 May 1995, p. 75
^Lewis, Ross; ‘Rover Gives Perth Spark’; The West Australian, 5 June 1995, p. 79
^Lague, Steve; ‘West Perth Wins It for Past Stars’; The West Australian, 6 June 1995, p. 83
^Reid, Russell; ‘Micale Defends Repacholi’; The West Australian, 6 June 1995, p. 82
^Casellas, Ken; ‘Swans Teen a Star in the Making’; The West Australian, 12 June 1995, p. 83
^Lague, Steve; ‘Glascott Taunt Spurs Demons’; The West Australian; 12 June 1995; p. 83
^Acott, Kent; ‘Injuries Threaten to Wreck the Falcons’; The West Australian, 19 June 1995, p. 75
^Reid, Russell; ‘Sharks Savage on Perth’; The West Australian; 19 June 1995; p. 75
^Acott, Kent; ‘Return of Wing Steels Falcons’; The West Australian, 26 June 1995, p. 83
^Reid, Russell; ‘Tigers Surprise Key to Win over Royals’; The West Australian, 26 June 1995, p. 83
