1937_WANFL_season

1937 WAFL season
1937 WAFL season
Teams	8
Premiers	East Fremantle; 18th premiership
Minor premiers	Claremont; 1st minor premiership
Sandover Medallist	Frank Jenkins (South Fremantle)
Bernie Naylor Medallist	George Doig (East Fremantle)
Matches played	88
	← 1936 1938 →

1937 WANFL season

Australian rules football season

The 1937 WANFL season was the 53rd season of the Western Australian National Football League. The season saw numerous notable highlights, including:

Five players^[a] kicked 100 goals, a number equalled in the major leagues of VFL/AFL, VFA/VFL, or SANFL, only in the 1939 VFA season.^[b]
Frank "Scranno" Jenkins won the Sandover Medal in his debut season of senior football with a record high under the 3-2-1 voting system of 34 votes.
In the second round, East Fremantle broke their own 21-year-old record for the highest score in league history.
East Perth drew three games in one season, a feat equalled in major Australian Rules Leagues only by VFA club Moorabbin in 1958 and West Perth in 1960. The Royals could easily have drawn a fourth game but for crowd acclamation preventing umpires from hearing the bell against Subiaco on Foundation Day.^[1] No senior Australian Rules team at any level is known to have tied four matches in a season, but Geelong’s Under-19s did so in 1971.^[2]
Swan Districts, with Ted Holdsworth kicking at least six goals in each of the first ten games, reached their first finals series in only their fourth WANFL season. Holdsworth was to reach his 100 goals in two fewer games than George Doig took in his 152-goal 1934 season,^[3] but concussion and a broken hand^[4] eliminated the prospect of a new record.

Quick Facts Teams, Premiers ...

Claremont, following on from their maiden finals campaign in 1936, won their first minor premiership, but were again beaten in the grand final, leading them to recruit returning West Perth coach Johnny Leonard (who led them to a hat-trick of premierships). East Fremantle, after three unsuccessful finals series, recovered to win their Eighteenth WANFL premiership, whilst Subiaco in falling from third after the 1936 home-and-away season to their first wooden spoon since 1916 with only three victories after the opening round, began thirty years as an almost perennial cellar-dweller.

Off the field, a minor dispute with the Perth City Council over the use of Leederville and Perth Ovals caused a delay in making the fixture list;^[5] however unlike what was to happen in 1940 when those grounds were off limits to the WANFL all season the dispute was quickly resolved by a return to the £750 rental fee.^[6]

Home-and-away season

References

[1]
‘League Football – Swan Districts in Front; Claremont Beaten; Lower Sides Improve’; The West Australian, 8 June 1937, p. 16
[2]
See VFL Football Record, 1971 First Semi-Final (4 September 1971)
[3]
‘League Football – Position Altered: Claremont Leads; West Perth’s Setback’; The West Australian; 12 July 1937, p. 12
[4]
‘Holdsworth’s Hand Broken: May Not Play Again This Year’; The West Australian; 25 August 1937, p. 7
[5]
‘Problem of Grounds – Meeting of Perth City Council Today’; The West Australian, 26 April 1937, p. 7
[6]
See Potter, Harry; ‘Many Injuries but Few Were Serious’; The Daily News; 27 April 1937, p. 6
[7]
‘An Exciting Tie – Claremont’s Early Superiority’; The West Australian, 26 April 1937, p. 7
[8]
‘A Triumph for Team-Work – East Fremantle Wins Well’; The West Australian, 26 April 1937, p. 7
[9]
‘Strong Finishing Effort; Tyson Kicks 11 Goals’; The West Australian, 26 April 1937, p. 7
[10]
‘Subiaco Better Balanced: Chances Missed by Swan Districts’; The West Australian, 26 April 1937, p. 7
[11]
‘Clase Contest at Leederville’; The West Australian, 4 May 1937, p. 15
[12]
“East Fremantle’s Big Score”; in The West Australian, 4 May 1937, p. 15
[13]
‘Claremont Wins Well’; The West Australian, 4 May 1937, p. 15
[14]
‘Changed Subiaco Side Overwhelmed’; The West Australian, 4 May 1937, p. 15
[15]
‘West Perth’s Close Call – Subiaco Goes Down Fighting’; The West Australian, 4 May 1937, p. 15
[16]
‘Condition Tells: Swan Districts Successful’; The West Australian, 4 May 1937, p. 15
[17]
‘Last Quarter Recovery: East Fremantle Outplays Claremont’; The West Australian, 4 May 1937, p. 15
[18]
‘A Runaway Victory – East Perth’s Fine Teamwork’; The West Australian, 4 May 1937, p. 15
[19]
"WAFL Footy Facts: Most Points by One Team in First Quarter". Archived from the original on 4 November 2013. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
[20]
‘A Brilliant Victory – Swan Districts’ Achievement’; The West Australian, 10 May 1937, p.
[21]
‘Fast and Willing – Exciting Tie at Perth Oval’; The West Australian, 10 May 1937, p.
[22]
‘Claremont’s Steadiness; Challenge by South Fremantle’; The West Australian, 10 May 1937, p.
[23]
‘Perth Greatly Improved – Good Form against Subiaco’; The West Australian, 10 May 1937, p.
[24]
WAFL Footy Facts: Least Consecutive Games Between Successive Draws Archived April 15, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
[25]
‘Superiority in Attack: Hopkins Kicks Seven Goals’; The West Australian, 13 May 1937, p. 14
[26]
‘Won in Last Half-Minute – Desperate Effort by West Perth’; The West Australian, 17 May 1937, p. 7
[27]
‘South Fremantle’s First Win: Perth Badly Beaten’; The West Australian, 17 May 1937, p. 7
[28]
‘Pace and Stamina Prevail: Swan Districts’ Third Success’; The West Australian, 17 May 1937, p. 7
[29]
"WAFL Footy Facts: South Fremantle Consecutive Games Lost". Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
[30]
‘Swan Districts’ Recovery – Perth’s Disastrous Lapse’; The West Australian, 24 May 1937, p. 15
[31]
‘Victory for East Perth: South Fremantle Fades Away’; The West Australian, 24 May 1937, p. 15
[32]
‘Claremont’s Strong Finish: West Perth Overwhelmed’; The West Australian, 24 May 1937, p. 15
[33]
‘Subiaco Overshadowed: East Fremantle’s Impressive Play’; The West Australian, 24 May 1937, p. 15
[34]
‘Determined Teamwork – Victory for South Fremantle’; The West Australian, 31 May 1937, p. 7
[35]
‘Won with the Last Kick: Swan Districts Again Succeed’; The West Australian, 31 May 1937, p. 7
[36]
‘East Perth Well-Balanced – Marked Superiority in Second Half’; The West Australian, 31 May 1937, p. 7
[37]
‘Perth Outclassed – Claremont’s Fine Form’; The West Australian, 31 May 1937, p. 7
[38]
Claremont’s Biggest Wins
[39]
‘Superior in Attack: West Perth’s 14-Point Victory’; The West Australian; 7 June 1937, p. 5
[40]
‘Claremont’s Good Form: Convincing Win from East Perth’; The West Australian; 7 June 1937, p. 5
[41]
‘Subiaco Outclassed: Swan Districts too Strong’; The West Australian; 7 June 1937, p. 5
[42]
‘Perth’s Improvement: East Fremantle Hard-Pressed’; The West Australian; 7 June 1937, p. 5
[43]
‘South Fremantle’s Success – Late Rally by East Fremantle’; The West Australian, 8 June 1937, p. 16
[44]
‘Strenuous to the End; Thrilling Game at Bassendean’; The West Australian, 8 June 1937, p. 16
[45]
‘Excitement at Subiaco: East Perth Scrapes Home by a Point’; The West Australian, 8 June 1937, p. 16
[46]
‘West Perth Wins – Perth’s Gallant Fight’; The West Australian, 8 June 1937, p. 16
[47]
‘Control of Key Positions – East Fremantle’s Improvement’; The West Australian, 14 June 1937, p. 17
[48]
‘A Stirring Finish: South Fremantle Narrowly Beaten’; The West Australian, 14 June 1937, p. 17
[49]
‘Subiaco Outclassed: West Perth Wins Easily’; The West Australian, 14 June 1937, p. 17
[50]
‘Perth’s Strong Rally: East Perth Loses by Five Points’; The West Australian, 14 June 1937, p. 17
[51]
"WAFL Footy Facts: Swan Districts Consecutive Games Won". Archived from the original on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
[52]
‘Swan Districts Beaten: East Fremantle’s Good Showing’; The West Australian, 21 June 1937, p. 7
[53]
‘More Efficient in Attack – East Perth Overcomes West Perth’; The West Australian, 21 June 1937, p. 7
[54]
‘Claremont’s Convincing Form – South Fremantle Fades Away’; The West Australian, 21 June 1937, p. 7
[55]
‘Subiaco’s Determined Finish – Seven Points Clear of Perth’; The West Australian, 21 June 1937, p. 7
[56]
‘Claremont Outclassed: Subiaco’s Improved Display’; The West Australian, 28 June 1937, p. 8
[57]
‘Three Goals to Spare – East Perth’s Third Term Rally’; The West Australian, 28 June 1937, p. 8
[58]
‘Victory for Perth – Good Kicking in Bad Conditions’; The West Australian, 28 June 1937, p. 8
[59]
‘East Fremantle’s Recovery: West Perth Fails in Last Quarter’; The West Australian, 28 June 1937, p. 8
[60]
Perth Regional Office (009034) June 1937 rainfall
[61]
‘Forward Below Form – East Fremantle Defeats Subiaco’; The West Australian, 5 July 1937, p. 8
[62]
‘Pace and Ruggedness – South Fremantle Wins Easily’; The West Australian, 5 July 1937, p. 8
[63]
‘Claremont Well Tested – Strong Challenge by West Perth’; The West Australian, 5 July 1937, p. 8
[64]
‘Perth’s Close Call – Fight Back by Swan Districts’; The West Australian, 5 July 1937, p. 8
[65]
‘Swan Districts Succeed: Determined Rally in Third Term’; The West Australian, 12 July 1937, p. 12
[66]
‘Subiaco’s Superiority; Vain Rally by South Fremantle’; The West Australian, 12 July 1937, p. 12
[67]
‘East Fremantle Beaten – Rough Game against East Perth’; The West Australian, 12 July 1937, p. 12
[68]
‘Last Point Wins Match: Claremont’s Hard Tussle with Perth’; The West Australian, 12 July 1937, p. 12
[69]
‘West Perth Untroubled: Poor Kicking by South Fremantle’; The West Australian, 19 July 1937, p. 7
[70]
‘System and Pace Tell – Claremont too Good for East Perth’; The West Australian, 19 July 1937, p. 7
[71]
‘East Fremantle Vigorous; Perth Fail To finish On’; The West Australian, 19 July 1937, p. 7
[72]
‘Swan Districts Win – Hard Game at Bassendean’; The West Australian, 19 July 1937, p. 7
[73]
‘Successful Teamwork – East Fremantle’s 29-Point Margin’; The West Australian, 26 July 1937, p. 14
[74]
‘Accurate Shooting: West Perth’s Early Superiority’; The West Australian, 26 July 1937, p. 14
[75]
‘East Perth Rallies: Strong Challenge by Subiaco’; The West Australian, 26 July 1937, p. 14
[76]
‘An Overwhelming Finish: Claremont Wins Brilliantly’; The West Australian, 26 July 1937, p. 14
[77]
‘Suby Trounced: Outclassed by Wests’; The Sunday Times,; 1 August 1937, p. 2
[78]
‘Straight Shooting Wins Day for Royals’; The Sunday Times,; 1 August 1937, p. 2
[79]
‘Claremont Conquered: East Fremantle’s Strong Finish’; The Sunday Times,; 1 August 1937, p. 2
[80]
‘Swans’ Close Call: Three-Point Win over South’; The Sunday Times,; 1 August 1937, p. 2
[81]
‘Record Goalkicking’; in The Sunday Times; 1 August 1937, p. 2
[82]
‘An Exciting Finish – East Perth’s Vain Rally’; The West Australian, 23 August 1937, p. 6
[83]
‘Perth Defeat Subiaco – Gook Establishes New Club Record’; The West Australian, 23 August 1937, p. 6
[84]
‘Swan Districts’ Success – East Fremantle Beaten Easily’; The West Australian, 23 August 1937, p. 6
[85]
‘Victory for Claremont: South Fremantle Overwhelmed’; The West Australian, 23 August 1937, p. 6
[86]
‘Strenuous Last Quarter; East Fremantle Saves Game’; The West Australian, 30 August 1937, p. 16
[87]
‘East Perth Finishes Well: Swan Districts Badly Beaten’; The West Australian, 30 August 1937, p. 16
[88]
‘Claremont Avenged: Subiaco’s Improved Showing’; The West Australian, 30 August 1937, p. 16
[89]
‘Perth’s 107-Points Victory: South Fremantle Overwhelmed’; The West Australian, 30 August 1937, p. 16
[90]
Perth: Biggest Wins
[91]
‘Fierce Play: Big List of Casualties’; The West Australian, 6 September 1937, p. 7
[92]
‘Superior Teamwork – Claremont’s Third-Quarter Brilliance’; The West Australian, 6 September 1937, p. 7
[93]
‘Subiaco’s Great Fight – East Fremantle Hard-Pressed’; The West Australian, 6 September 1937, p. 7
[94]
‘Swan Districts’ Success: Perth Beaten in Hard Game’; The West Australian, 6 September 1937, p. 7
[95]
‘Perth’s Last Effort – Close Finish with Claremont’; The West Australian, 13 September 1937, p. 16
[96]
‘West Perth Overwhelmed – Swan Districts Win Again’; The West Australian, 13 September 1937, p. 16
[97]
‘Third Tie of Season – East Fremantle’s Fine Recovery’; The West Australian, 13 September 1937, p. 16
[98]
‘Lowest Teams Opposed – South Fremantle Successful’; The West Australian, 13 September 1937, p. 16
[99]
‘Football Semi-Final – East Perth’s Success; Swan Districts Eliminated’; The West Australian; 20 September 1937, p. 13
[100]
‘Football Semi-Final – Claremont Superior; East Fremantle’s Defeat’; The West Australian, 27 September 1937, p. 17
[101]
‘Football Final – East Fremantle Triumphs: Superior Play in Second Half’; The West Australian; 4 October 1937, p. 14
[102]
‘Football Premiership – East Fremantle’s Win; Game Fight by Claremont’; The West Australian, 11 October 1937, p. 17

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[1] [1]
‘League Football – Swan Districts in Front; Claremont Beaten; Lower Sides Improve’; The West Australian, 8 June 1937, p. 16

[2] [2]
See VFL Football Record, 1971 First Semi-Final (4 September 1971)

[3] [3]
‘League Football – Position Altered: Claremont Leads; West Perth’s Setback’; The West Australian; 12 July 1937, p. 12

[hand-4] [4]
‘Holdsworth’s Hand Broken: May Not Play Again This Year’; The West Australian; 25 August 1937, p. 7

[5] [5]
‘Problem of Grounds – Meeting of Perth City Council Today’; The West Australian, 26 April 1937, p. 7

[6] [6]
See Potter, Harry; ‘Many Injuries but Few Were Serious’; The Daily News; 27 April 1937, p. 6

[7] [7]
‘An Exciting Tie – Claremont’s Early Superiority’; The West Australian, 26 April 1937, p. 7

[8] [8]
‘A Triumph for Team-Work – East Fremantle Wins Well’; The West Australian, 26 April 1937, p. 7

[9] [9]
‘Strong Finishing Effort; Tyson Kicks 11 Goals’; The West Australian, 26 April 1937, p. 7

[10] [10]
‘Subiaco Better Balanced: Chances Missed by Swan Districts’; The West Australian, 26 April 1937, p. 7

[11] [11]
‘Clase Contest at Leederville’; The West Australian, 4 May 1937, p. 15

[big-12] [12]
“East Fremantle’s Big Score”; in The West Australian, 4 May 1937, p. 15

[13] [13]
‘Claremont Wins Well’; The West Australian, 4 May 1937, p. 15

[14] [14]
‘Changed Subiaco Side Overwhelmed’; The West Australian, 4 May 1937, p. 15

[15] [15]
‘West Perth’s Close Call – Subiaco Goes Down Fighting’; The West Australian, 4 May 1937, p. 15

[16] [16]
‘Condition Tells: Swan Districts Successful’; The West Australian, 4 May 1937, p. 15

[17] [17]
‘Last Quarter Recovery: East Fremantle Outplays Claremont’; The West Australian, 4 May 1937, p. 15

[18] [18]
‘A Runaway Victory – East Perth’s Fine Teamwork’; The West Australian, 4 May 1937, p. 15

[19] [19]
"WAFL Footy Facts: Most Points by One Team in First Quarter". Archived from the original on 4 November 2013. Retrieved 19 October 2013.

[20] [20]
‘A Brilliant Victory – Swan Districts’ Achievement’; The West Australian, 10 May 1937, p.

[21] [21]
‘Fast and Willing – Exciting Tie at Perth Oval’; The West Australian, 10 May 1937, p.

[22] [22]
‘Claremont’s Steadiness; Challenge by South Fremantle’; The West Australian, 10 May 1937, p.

[23] [23]
‘Perth Greatly Improved – Good Form against Subiaco’; The West Australian, 10 May 1937, p.

[24] [24]
WAFL Footy Facts: Least Consecutive Games Between Successive Draws Archived April 15, 2014, at the Wayback Machine

[25] [25]
‘Superiority in Attack: Hopkins Kicks Seven Goals’; The West Australian, 13 May 1937, p. 14

[26] [26]
‘Won in Last Half-Minute – Desperate Effort by West Perth’; The West Australian, 17 May 1937, p. 7

[27] [27]
‘South Fremantle’s First Win: Perth Badly Beaten’; The West Australian, 17 May 1937, p. 7

[28] [28]
‘Pace and Stamina Prevail: Swan Districts’ Third Success’; The West Australian, 17 May 1937, p. 7

[29] [29]
"WAFL Footy Facts: South Fremantle Consecutive Games Lost". Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2013.

[30] [30]
‘Swan Districts’ Recovery – Perth’s Disastrous Lapse’; The West Australian, 24 May 1937, p. 15

[31] [31]
‘Victory for East Perth: South Fremantle Fades Away’; The West Australian, 24 May 1937, p. 15

[32] [32]
‘Claremont’s Strong Finish: West Perth Overwhelmed’; The West Australian, 24 May 1937, p. 15

[33] [33]
‘Subiaco Overshadowed: East Fremantle’s Impressive Play’; The West Australian, 24 May 1937, p. 15

[34] [34]
‘Determined Teamwork – Victory for South Fremantle’; The West Australian, 31 May 1937, p. 7

[35] [35]
‘Won with the Last Kick: Swan Districts Again Succeed’; The West Australian, 31 May 1937, p. 7

[36] [36]
‘East Perth Well-Balanced – Marked Superiority in Second Half’; The West Australian, 31 May 1937, p. 7

[37] [37]
‘Perth Outclassed – Claremont’s Fine Form’; The West Australian, 31 May 1937, p. 7

[38] [38]
Claremont’s Biggest Wins

[39] [39]
‘Superior in Attack: West Perth’s 14-Point Victory’; The West Australian; 7 June 1937, p. 5

[40] [40]
‘Claremont’s Good Form: Convincing Win from East Perth’; The West Australian; 7 June 1937, p. 5

[41] [41]
‘Subiaco Outclassed: Swan Districts too Strong’; The West Australian; 7 June 1937, p. 5

[42] [42]
‘Perth’s Improvement: East Fremantle Hard-Pressed’; The West Australian; 7 June 1937, p. 5

[43] [43]
‘South Fremantle’s Success – Late Rally by East Fremantle’; The West Australian, 8 June 1937, p. 16

[44] [44]
‘Strenuous to the End; Thrilling Game at Bassendean’; The West Australian, 8 June 1937, p. 16

[45] [45]
‘Excitement at Subiaco: East Perth Scrapes Home by a Point’; The West Australian, 8 June 1937, p. 16

[46] [46]
‘West Perth Wins – Perth’s Gallant Fight’; The West Australian, 8 June 1937, p. 16

[47] [47]
‘Control of Key Positions – East Fremantle’s Improvement’; The West Australian, 14 June 1937, p. 17

[48] [48]
‘A Stirring Finish: South Fremantle Narrowly Beaten’; The West Australian, 14 June 1937, p. 17

[49] [49]
‘Subiaco Outclassed: West Perth Wins Easily’; The West Australian, 14 June 1937, p. 17

[50] [50]
‘Perth’s Strong Rally: East Perth Loses by Five Points’; The West Australian, 14 June 1937, p. 17

[51] [51]
"WAFL Footy Facts: Swan Districts Consecutive Games Won". Archived from the original on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 19 October 2013.

[52] [52]
‘Swan Districts Beaten: East Fremantle’s Good Showing’; The West Australian, 21 June 1937, p. 7

[53] [53]
‘More Efficient in Attack – East Perth Overcomes West Perth’; The West Australian, 21 June 1937, p. 7

[54] [54]
‘Claremont’s Convincing Form – South Fremantle Fades Away’; The West Australian, 21 June 1937, p. 7

[55] [55]
‘Subiaco’s Determined Finish – Seven Points Clear of Perth’; The West Australian, 21 June 1937, p. 7

[56] [56]
‘Claremont Outclassed: Subiaco’s Improved Display’; The West Australian, 28 June 1937, p. 8

[57] [57]
‘Three Goals to Spare – East Perth’s Third Term Rally’; The West Australian, 28 June 1937, p. 8

[58] [58]
‘Victory for Perth – Good Kicking in Bad Conditions’; The West Australian, 28 June 1937, p. 8

[59] [59]
‘East Fremantle’s Recovery: West Perth Fails in Last Quarter’; The West Australian, 28 June 1937, p. 8

[60] [60]
Perth Regional Office (009034) June 1937 rainfall

[61] [61]
‘Forward Below Form – East Fremantle Defeats Subiaco’; The West Australian, 5 July 1937, p. 8

[62] [62]
‘Pace and Ruggedness – South Fremantle Wins Easily’; The West Australian, 5 July 1937, p. 8

[63] [63]
‘Claremont Well Tested – Strong Challenge by West Perth’; The West Australian, 5 July 1937, p. 8

[64] [64]
‘Perth’s Close Call – Fight Back by Swan Districts’; The West Australian, 5 July 1937, p. 8

[65] [65]
‘Swan Districts Succeed: Determined Rally in Third Term’; The West Australian, 12 July 1937, p. 12

[66] [66]
‘Subiaco’s Superiority; Vain Rally by South Fremantle’; The West Australian, 12 July 1937, p. 12

[67] [67]
‘East Fremantle Beaten – Rough Game against East Perth’; The West Australian, 12 July 1937, p. 12

[68] [68]
‘Last Point Wins Match: Claremont’s Hard Tussle with Perth’; The West Australian, 12 July 1937, p. 12

[69] [69]
‘West Perth Untroubled: Poor Kicking by South Fremantle’; The West Australian, 19 July 1937, p. 7

[70] [70]
‘System and Pace Tell – Claremont too Good for East Perth’; The West Australian, 19 July 1937, p. 7

[71] [71]
‘East Fremantle Vigorous; Perth Fail To finish On’; The West Australian, 19 July 1937, p. 7

[72] [72]
‘Swan Districts Win – Hard Game at Bassendean’; The West Australian, 19 July 1937, p. 7

[73] [73]
‘Successful Teamwork – East Fremantle’s 29-Point Margin’; The West Australian, 26 July 1937, p. 14

[74] [74]
‘Accurate Shooting: West Perth’s Early Superiority’; The West Australian, 26 July 1937, p. 14

[75] [75]
‘East Perth Rallies: Strong Challenge by Subiaco’; The West Australian, 26 July 1937, p. 14

[76] [76]
‘An Overwhelming Finish: Claremont Wins Brilliantly’; The West Australian, 26 July 1937, p. 14

[77] [77]
‘Suby Trounced: Outclassed by Wests’; The Sunday Times,; 1 August 1937, p. 2

[78] [78]
‘Straight Shooting Wins Day for Royals’; The Sunday Times,; 1 August 1937, p. 2

[79] [79]
‘Claremont Conquered: East Fremantle’s Strong Finish’; The Sunday Times,; 1 August 1937, p. 2

[80] [80]
‘Swans’ Close Call: Three-Point Win over South’; The Sunday Times,; 1 August 1937, p. 2

[81] [81]
‘Record Goalkicking’; in The Sunday Times; 1 August 1937, p. 2

[82] [82]
‘An Exciting Finish – East Perth’s Vain Rally’; The West Australian, 23 August 1937, p. 6

[83] [83]
‘Perth Defeat Subiaco – Gook Establishes New Club Record’; The West Australian, 23 August 1937, p. 6

[84] [84]
‘Swan Districts’ Success – East Fremantle Beaten Easily’; The West Australian, 23 August 1937, p. 6

[85] [85]
‘Victory for Claremont: South Fremantle Overwhelmed’; The West Australian, 23 August 1937, p. 6

[86] [86]
‘Strenuous Last Quarter; East Fremantle Saves Game’; The West Australian, 30 August 1937, p. 16

[87] [87]
‘East Perth Finishes Well: Swan Districts Badly Beaten’; The West Australian, 30 August 1937, p. 16

[88] [88]
‘Claremont Avenged: Subiaco’s Improved Showing’; The West Australian, 30 August 1937, p. 16

[89] [89]
‘Perth’s 107-Points Victory: South Fremantle Overwhelmed’; The West Australian, 30 August 1937, p. 16

[90] [90]
Perth: Biggest Wins

[91] [91]
‘Fierce Play: Big List of Casualties’; The West Australian, 6 September 1937, p. 7

[92] [92]
‘Superior Teamwork – Claremont’s Third-Quarter Brilliance’; The West Australian, 6 September 1937, p. 7

[93] [93]
‘Subiaco’s Great Fight – East Fremantle Hard-Pressed’; The West Australian, 6 September 1937, p. 7

[94] [94]
‘Swan Districts’ Success: Perth Beaten in Hard Game’; The West Australian, 6 September 1937, p. 7

[95] [95]
‘Perth’s Last Effort – Close Finish with Claremont’; The West Australian, 13 September 1937, p. 16

[96] [96]
‘West Perth Overwhelmed – Swan Districts Win Again’; The West Australian, 13 September 1937, p. 16

[97] [97]
‘Third Tie of Season – East Fremantle’s Fine Recovery’; The West Australian, 13 September 1937, p. 16

[98] [98]
‘Lowest Teams Opposed – South Fremantle Successful’; The West Australian, 13 September 1937, p. 16

[99] [99]
‘Football Semi-Final – East Perth’s Success; Swan Districts Eliminated’; The West Australian; 20 September 1937, p. 13

[100] [100]
‘Football Semi-Final – Claremont Superior; East Fremantle’s Defeat’; The West Australian, 27 September 1937, p. 17

[101] [101]
‘Football Final – East Fremantle Triumphs: Superior Play in Second Half’; The West Australian; 4 October 1937, p. 14

[102] [102]
‘Football Premiership – East Fremantle’s Win; Game Fight by Claremont’; The West Australian, 11 October 1937, p. 17

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	Round 1
Saturday, 24 April (2:45 pm)	East Perth 14.13 (97)	drew with	Claremont 13.19 (97)	Perth Oval	^[7]
Saturday, 24 April (2:45 pm)	Perth 10.12 (72)	def. by	East Fremantle 15.17 (107)	WACA	^[8]
Saturday, 24 April (2:45 pm)	South Fremantle 14.15 (99)	def. by	West Perth 19.8 (122)	Fremantle Oval	^[9]
Saturday, 24 April (2:45 pm)	Subiaco 16.11 (107)	def.	Swan Districts 11.17 (83)	Subiaco Oval	^[10]
East Perth come back from twenty-nine points down at half-time for the first WANFL draw since Round 20, 1934 when the Royals drew with Subiaco.


	Round 2
Saturday, 1 May (2:45 pm)	West Perth 10.19 (79)	def.	Perth 9.11 (65)	Leederville Oval	^[11]
Saturday, 1 May (2:45 pm)	East Fremantle 28.23 (191)	def.	South Fremantle 16.14 (110)	Fremantle Oval	^[12]
Saturday, 1 May (2:45 pm)	Claremont 18.14 (122)	def.	Swan Districts 13.8 (86)	Claremont Oval	^[13]
Saturday, 1 May (2:45 pm)	East Perth 20.15 (135)	def.	Subiaco 7.7 (49)	Perth Oval	^[14]
East Fremantle kick the highest score to that point in WANFL history, beating their own record of 27.22 (184) against the defunct Midland Junction from 1916. George Doig kicks a phenomenal 13.12 (90).


	Round 3
Monday, 3 May (2:45 pm)	Subiaco 10.13 (73)	def. by	West Perth 12.7 (79)	Subiaco Oval	^[15]
Monday, 3 May (2:45 pm)	Swan Districts 13.17 (95)	def.	South Fremantle 11.15 (81)	Bassendean Oval	^[16]
Monday, 3 May (2:45 pm)	Claremont 14.9 (93)	def. by	East Fremantle 16.16 (112)	Claremont Oval	^[17]
Monday, 3 May (2:45 pm)	Perth 11.10 (76)	def. by	East Perth 25.27 (177)	WACA	^[18]
East Perth set a WANFL record for best first quarter score with 10.11 (71). This was not beaten in open-age competition until Round 12 of 1955.^[19]


	Round 4
Saturday, 8 May (2:45 pm)	Swan Districts 15.12 (102)	def.	East Fremantle 14.12 (96)	Bassendean Oval	^[20]
Saturday, 8 May (2:45 pm)	East Perth 8.3 (51)	drew with	West Perth 7.9 (51)	Perth Oval	^[21]
Saturday, 8 May (2:45 pm)	South Fremantle 12.12 (84)	def. by	Claremont 15.10 (100)	Fremantle Oval	^[22]
Saturday, 8 May (2:45 pm)	Perth 15.12 (102)	def.	Subiaco 13.12 (90)	WACA	^[23]
East Perth’s two draws in four matches is the second-closest pair of draws by any club in WAFL history, behind West Perth’s two consecutive drawn games in 1960.^[24]


	Round 5
Wednesday, 12 May (2:45 pm)	Subiaco 10.6 (66)	def. by	Claremont 12.13 (85)	Subiaco Oval	^[25]
Saturday, 15 May (2:45 pm)	West Perth 12.11 (83)	def.	East Fremantle 11.14 (80)	Leederville Oval	^[26]
Saturday, 15 May (2:45 pm)	South Fremantle 17.17 (119)	def.	Perth 11.10 (76)	Fremantle Oval	^[27]
Saturday, 15 May (2:45 pm)	Swan Districts 12.9 (81)	def.	East Perth 11.7 (73)	Bassendean Oval	^[28]
The Claremont v Subiaco match was played on a public holiday for the coronation of King George VI. West Perth stay undefeated via a goal by Bunting after he was interfered with by the man on the mark. Holdsworth kicks ten of Swan Districts’ twelve goals in heavy rain to stay ahead on the goalkicking. South Fremantle end their longest losing streak in open-age competition until 1987, having last won in the twelfth game of 1936.^[29]

1937_WANFL_season

1937 WANFL season

Home-and-away season

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3 (Labour Day)

Round 4

Round 5 (Coronation Day)

Round 6

Round 7

Round 8

Round 9 (Foundation Day)

Round 10

Round 11

Round 12

Round 13

Round 14

Round 15

Round 16

Round 17

Round 18

Round 19

Round 20

Round 21

Ladder

Finals

First semi-final

Second semi-final

Preliminary final

Grand final

Notes

References

External links

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1937 WAFL season
Teams	8
Premiers	East Fremantle 18th premiership
Minor premiers	Claremont 1st minor premiership
Sandover Medallist	Frank Jenkins (South Fremantle)
Bernie Naylor Medallist	George Doig (East Fremantle)
Matches played	88
← 1936 1938 →


	Round 6
Saturday, 22 May (2:45 pm)	Perth 11.15 (81)	def. by	Swan Districts 14.14 (98)	WACA	^[30]
Saturday, 22 May (2:45 pm)	East Perth 15.13 (103)	def.	South Fremantle 10.7 (67)	Perth Oval	^[31]
Saturday, 22 May (2:45 pm)	West Perth 11.8 (74)	def. by	Claremont 15.14 (104)	Leederville Oval	^[32]
Saturday, 22 May (2:45 pm)	East Fremantle 21.12 (138)	def.	Subiaco 12.20 (92)	Fremantle Oval	^[33]
Claremont end West Perth’s unbeaten run under 1934 and 1935 premiership coach Leonard with a 5.5 (35) to 0.2 (2) last quarter. Swan Districts recover from seven goals behind early in the second quarter to defeat Perth, with Holdsworth maintaining his average of eight goals a game.


	Round 7
Saturday, 29 May (2:45 pm)	South Fremantle 17.14 (116)	def.	Subiaco 11.9 (75)	Fremantle Oval	^[34]
Saturday, 29 May (2:45 pm)	Swan Districts 11.14 (80)	def.	West Perth 11.11 (77)	Bassendean Oval	^[35]
Saturday, 29 May (2:45 pm)	East Perth 18.11 (119)	def.	East Fremantle 10.8 (68)	Perth Oval	^[36]
Saturday, 29 May (2:45 pm)	Claremont 25.18 (168)	def.	Perth 8.10 (58)	Claremont Oval	^[37]
Swan Districts win a fifth successive close match to move into the top four. Frank Hopkins kicks ten goals as Claremont record easily their biggest win in their twelve-year WA(N)FL history,^[38] beating 68 points against the Demons from the previous season.


	Round 8
Saturday, 5 June (2:45 pm)	West Perth 12.17 (89)	def.	South Fremantle 10.15 (75)	Leederville Oval	^[39]
Saturday, 5 June (2:45 pm)	Claremont 15.19 (109)	def.	East Perth 15.11 (101)	Claremont Oval	^[40]
Saturday, 5 June (2:45 pm)	Swan Districts 16.16 (112)	def.	Subiaco 7.10 (52)	Bassendean Oval	^[41]
Saturday, 5 June (2:45 pm)	East Fremantle 16.26 (122)	def.	Perth 18.11 (119)	Fremantle Oval	^[42]


	Round 9
Monday, 7 June (2:45 pm)	South Fremantle 16.15 (111)	def.	East Fremantle 14.17 (101)	Fremantle Oval	^[43]
Monday, 7 June (2:45 pm)	Swan Districts 14.12 (96)	def.	Claremont 12.17 (89)	Bassendean Oval	^[44]
Monday, 7 June (2:45 pm)	Subiaco 16.11 (107)	def. by	East Perth 16.12 (108)	Subiaco Oval	^[45]
Monday, 7 June (2:45 pm)	Perth 12.12 (84)	def. by	West Perth 14.11 (95)	WACA	^[46]
Swans move to the top with their seventh consecutive victory. East Perth gather the winning point after the noises of a pro-Subiaco crowd prevent any of the umpires from hearing the bell.


	Round 10
Saturday, 12 June (2:45 pm)	East Fremantle 20.20 (140)	def.	Claremont 16.14 (110)	Fremantle Oval	^[47]
Saturday, 12 June (2:45 pm)	Swan Districts 14.11 (95)	def.	South Fremantle 14.9 (93)	Bassendean Oval	^[48]
Saturday, 12 June (2:45 pm)	West Perth 17.13 (115)	def.	Subiaco 4.14 (38)	Leederville Oval	^[49]
Saturday, 12 June (2:45 pm)	East Perth 11.11 (77)	def. by	Perth 11.16 (82)	Perth Oval	^[50]
Swan Districts win their eighth game on end, a feat they were not to surpass until 1979/1980, with Holdsworth maintaining his remarkable average of 7.9 goals per game.^[51] Regaining several key players from injury and with George Doig kicking ten, East Fremantle displace Claremont from top place and stay in contention for the top four.


	Round 11
Saturday, 19 June (2:45 pm)	East Fremantle 18.18 (126)	def.	Swan Districts 14.15 (99)	Fremantle Oval	^[52]
Saturday, 19 June (2:45 pm)	West Perth 11.14 (80)	def. by	East Perth 15.8 (98)	Leederville Oval	^[53]
Saturday, 19 June (2:45 pm)	Claremont 22.13 (145)	def.	South Fremantle 15.10 (100)	Claremont Oval	^[54]
Saturday, 19 June (2:45 pm)	Subiaco 10.14 (74)	def.	Perth 9.13 (67)	Subiaco Oval	^[55]
8.7 (55) in the second quarter allows Old Easts to end Swan Districts’ winning streak, though East Perth’s win over the Cardinals ensures Swans remain on top.


	Round 12
Saturday, 26 June (2:45 pm)	Claremont 8.11 (59)	def. by	Subiaco 14.7 (91)	Claremont Oval	^[56]
Saturday, 26 June (2:45 pm)	East Perth 10.9 (69)	def.	Swan Districts 7.9 (51)	Perth Oval	^[57]
Saturday, 26 June (2:45 pm)	Perth 17.21 (123)	def.	South Fremantle 7.8 (50)	WACA	^[58]
Saturday, 26 June (2:45 pm)	East Fremantle 14.12 (96)	def.	West Perth 11.9 (75)	Fremantle Oval	^[59]
With Crow holding Holdsworth to one goal one on a ground waterlogged by 159.8 millimetres (6.29 in) of rain over the past week,^[60] East Perth knocks Swans from the top.


	Round 13
Saturday, 3 July (2:45 pm)	Subiaco 12.13 (85)	def. by	East Fremantle 15.13 (103)	Subiaco Oval	^[61]
Saturday, 3 July (2:45 pm)	South Fremantle 17.17 (119)	def.	East Perth 11.16 (82)	Fremantle Oval	^[62]
Saturday, 3 July (2:45 pm)	Claremont 15.9 (99)	def.	West Perth 12.16 (88)	Claremont Oval	^[63]
Saturday, 3 July (2:45 pm)	Swan Districts 13.11 (89)	def. by	Perth 14.8 (92)	Bassendean Oval	^[64]
Holdsworth, on 94 goals, misses a simple shot and lowly Perth record a surprise win that sends East Fremantle to top place.


	Round 14
Saturday, 10 July (2:45 pm)	West Perth 12.12 (84)	def. by	Swan Districts 14.7 (91)	Leederville Oval	^[65]
Saturday, 10 July (2:45 pm)	Subiaco 12.9 (81)	def.	South Fremantle 7.15 (57)	Subiaco Oval	^[66]
Saturday, 10 July (2:45 pm)	East Fremantle 13.14 (92)	def. by	East Perth 14.28 (112)	Fremantle Oval	^[67]
Saturday, 10 July (2:45 pm)	Perth 14.17 (101)	def. by	Claremont 14.18 (102)	WACA	^[68]
Holdsworth kicks his 100th goal as Swan Districts relegate the Cardinals to six points out of the four. Reeves snaps the winning point on the bell and Claremont gain two points to move half a game ahead of Old Easts, the Royals and the Swans.

1937 ladder
Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	D	PF	PA	PP	Pts
1	Claremont	21	15	5	1	2225	1887	117.9	62
2	East Fremantle (P)	21	14	6	1	2306	2054	112.3	58
3	Swan Districts	21	14	7	0	1907	1850	103.1	56
4	East Perth	21	12	6	3	2119	1759	120.5	54
5	West Perth	21	11	9	1	1894	1763	107.4	46
6	Perth	21	6	15	0	1912	2123	90.1	24
7	South Fremantle	21	5	16	0	1831	2272	80.6	20
8	Subiaco	21	4	17	0	1585	2071	76.5	16


	1937 WANFL Grand Final
Saturday, 9 October (2:45 pm)	Claremont	def. by	East Fremantle	Subiaco Oval (crowd: 16,460)	^[102]
	3.1 (19) 7.2 (44) 12.8 (80) 13.9 (87)	Q1 Q2 Q3 Final	4.0 (24) 8.5 (53) 10.9 (69) 14.13 (97)	Umpires: George Owens


Hopkins 5, Boys 3, Compton 2, Hooper, Lawn		Goals	George Doig 5, Truscott 3, Martiensen 3, McGlinn 2, Wendt
Reeves (best on ground), Hopkins, Batt, Clarke (until injured), Syd Moloney, Boys		Best	Seubert, McGlinn, Clark, Kingsbury, Hutchinson, Fordham, Briggs
Clarke (knee)		Injuries


In one of the best grand finals seen for some years, East Fremantle gain the upper hand in the last quarter and eventually overcome a dogged Claremont defence.


	Round 15
Saturday, 17 July (2:45 pm)	South Fremantle 9.10 (64)	def. by	West Perth 14.9 (93)	Fremantle Oval	^[69]
Saturday, 17 July (2:45 pm)	East Perth 12.10 (82)	def. by	Claremont 15.14 (104)	Perth Oval	^[70]
Saturday, 17 July (2:45 pm)	Perth 13.14 (92)	def. by	East Fremantle 16.13 (109)	WACA	^[71]
Saturday, 17 July (2:45 pm)	Swan Districts 11.13 (79)	def.	Subiaco 7.14 (56)	Bassendean Oval	^[72]
Ted Holdsworth, decisively beaten by Lou Daily, suffers concussion late in the third quarter, which keeps him out of the WA State team.


	Round 16
Saturday, 24 July (2:45 pm)	East Fremantle 20.13 (133)	def.	South Fremantle 14.20 (104)	Fremantle Oval	^[73]
Saturday, 24 July (2:45 pm)	West Perth 18.6 (114)	def.	Perth 14.11 (95)	Leederville Oval	^[74]
Saturday, 24 July (2:45 pm)	Subiaco 10.8 (68)	def. by	East Perth 11.15 (81)	Subiaco Oval	^[75]
Saturday, 24 July (2:45 pm)	Swan Districts 9.13 (67)	def. by	Claremont 14.15 (99)	Bassendean Oval	^[76]
Claremont run away from Swans – minus Holdsworth – in the last quarter to stay on top, whilst with Tyson kicking 10.0 West Perth remain with a chance of displacing the black and whites.


	Round 17
Saturday, 31 July (2:45 pm)	West Perth 22.18 (150)	def.	Subiaco 6.12 (48)	Leederville Oval	^[77]
Saturday, 31 July (2:45 pm)	Perth 13.18 (96)	def. by	East Perth 19.11 (125)	WACA	^[78]
Saturday, 31 July (2:45 pm)	Claremont 12.16 (88)	def. by	East Fremantle 15.16 (106)	Claremont Oval	^[79]
Saturday, 31 July (2:45 pm)	South Fremantle 11.12 (78)	def. by	Swan Districts 11.15 (81)	Fremantle Oval	^[80]
Following this round, WANFL football was suspended for two weeks to accommodate the 1937 Perth Carnival. Ted Tyson’s twelve goals means that for the first time three players pass 100 for the season.^[81]


	Round 18
Saturday, 21 August (2:45 pm)	West Perth 11.11 (77)	def.	East Perth 10.14 (74)	Leederville Oval	^[82]
Saturday, 21 August (2:45 pm)	Subiaco 12.10 (82)	def. by	Perth 14.16 (100)	Subiaco Oval	^[83]
Saturday, 21 August (2:45 pm)	East Fremantle 12.15 (87)	def. by	Swan Districts 16.18 (114)	Fremantle Oval	^[84]
Saturday, 21 August (2:45 pm)	Claremont 17.17 (119)	def.	South Fremantle 8.14 (62)	Claremont Oval	^[85]
Swans record an unexpected win over East Fremantle in what would prove Holdsworth’s last match for the season.^[4] Despite failing to score in the last quarter, West Perth displace East Perth from the four.


	Round 19
Saturday, 28 August (2:45 pm)	East Fremantle 14.9 (93)	def.	West Perth 12.11 (83)	Fremantle Oval	^[86]
Saturday, 28 August (2:45 pm)	East Perth 17.19 (121)	def.	Swan Districts 12.5 (77)	Perth Oval	^[87]
Saturday, 28 August (2:45 pm)	Claremont 16.15 (111)	def.	Subiaco 11.16 (82)	Claremont Oval	^[88]
Saturday, 28 August (2:45 pm)	Perth 23.18 (156)	def.	South Fremantle 6.13 (49)	WACA	^[89]
East Perth produce a critical win to regain a place in the four. Perth’s crushing win ensures the South Fremantle v Subiaco match will determine the wooden-spooner. It was Perth’s biggest win over any opponent for twenty-one years and their biggest to that point over South Fremantle.^[90]


	Round 20
Saturday, 4 September (2:45 pm)	South Fremantle 14.15 (99)	def. by	East Perth 19.11 (125)	Fremantle Oval	^[91]
Saturday, 4 September (2:45 pm)	Claremont 18.9 (117)	def.	West Perth 14.15 (99)	Claremont Oval	^[92]
Saturday, 4 September (2:45 pm)	Subiaco 12.10 (82)	def. by	East Fremantle 12.25 (97)	Subiaco Oval	^[93]
Saturday, 4 September (2:45 pm)	Swan Districts 14.8 (92)	def.	Perth 11.14 (80)	Bassendean Oval	^[94]
West Perth’s loss, and East Perth’s win in a vicious match with eight players injured, seals the four with a round to play.


	Round 21
Saturday, 11 September (2:45 pm)	Perth 13.17 (95)	def. by	Claremont 15.15 (105)	WACA	^[95]
Saturday, 11 September (2:45 pm)	Swan Districts 22.7 (139)	def.	West Perth 12.15 (87)	Bassendean Oval	^[96]
Saturday, 11 September (2:45 pm)	East Perth 17.7 (109)	drew with	East Fremantle 15.19 (109)	Perth Oval	^[97]
Saturday, 11 September (2:45 pm)	South Fremantle 14.10 (94)	def.	Subiaco 11.21 (87)	Fremantle Oval	^[98]
East Fremantle’s comeback to force a draw ensures they retain the double chance: East Perth’s better percentage would have put them second had the Royals won. Subiaco’s 1.13 (19) to 7.4 (46) in the second and third quarters consigns it to a first wooden spoon in twenty-one seasons.


	First semi-final
Saturday, 18 September (2:45 pm)	Swan Districts 11.7 (73)	def. by	East Perth 13.9 (87)	Subiaco Oval (crowd: 11,000)
East Perth win a disappointing game in wet and windy conditions to eliminate Swan Districts in their first WANFL final.^[99]


	Second semi-final
Saturday, 25 September (2:45 pm)	Claremont 13.10 (88)	def.	East Fremantle 10.14 (74)	Subiaco Oval (crowd: 12,000)
An excellent last quarter into the breeze ensures Claremont reaches its second successive grand final.^[100]


	Preliminary final
Saturday, 2 October (2:45 pm)	East Fremantle 11.12 (78)	def.	East Perth 6.19 (55)	Subiaco Oval (crowd: 12,000)
East Fremantle’s impressive defence and clever centreline, with McGlinn dominant, ensures a rematch with Claremont.^[101]