1940_WANFL_season

1940 WAFL season
1940 WAFL season
Teams	8
Premiers	Claremont; 3rd premiership
Minor premiers	Claremont; 3rd minor premiership
Sandover Medallist	“Checker” O‘Keefe (West Perth)
Bernie Naylor Medallist	George Moloney (Claremont)
Matches played	84
	← 1939 1941 →

1940 WANFL season

Australian rules football season

The 1940 WANFL season was the 56th season of the various incarnations of the Western Australian National Football League. It saw Claremont win its third consecutive premiership, but its last before returning to the status of cellar-dweller it occupied during its first decade in the WA(N)FL – between 1943 and 1978 Claremont played finals only five times for one premiership. South Fremantle, after a lean period in the middle 1930s, displaced perennial power clubs East Fremantle and East Perth as the Tigers’ Grand Final opponent, and established some of the basis, in spite of three disastrous wartime under-age seasons, for the club's fabled dynasty after the war.

Quick Facts Teams, Premiers ...

The season was severely affected by World War II, which claimed numerous players from all clubs and limited the availability of others, and also a dispute with the Perth City Council over charges for the rental of Leederville and Perth Ovals,^[1] which were not resolved fully before the season.^[2] Consequently, East Perth and West Perth were forced to play home games at either the WACA or Subiaco Oval; however this did not affect their performance and the Cardinals, with young players like Bill Baker, “Spike” Pola and “Pops” Heal coming of age, improved from one win in 1939 to eleven this season – and would have done better but for appendicitis ending Ted Tyson’s football after June.

Swan Districts, affected by the retirement of early stalwarts Jim Ditchburn and George Krepp, the loss early in the season of Jack Murray, and the recruitment of numerous players to the services,^[3] suffered despite the return of champion spearhead Holdsworth who was third in the goalkicking with 73 its first wooden spoon with only two wins. More surprisingly Perth – who had looked the previous season to be emerging from twenty years in the doldrums – could not replace captain-coach Austin Robertson and lost all but one of its final thirteen games for its worst record since 1923.^[4]

Notable highlights included the first double-century score in Perth senior football and two record comebacks over the final three quarters.

Home-and-away season

References

[1]
‘Football: City Council Grounds for Practice’; The West Australian, 12 March 1940, p. 9
[2]
‘New Move in Oval Dispute’; The Daily News, 28 March 1940, p. 11
[3]
Barnett, Peter; ‘It’s Only 17 Years since Swan Districts Entered the Game: The Youngest League Team’; Western Mail, 14 June 1951, p. 23
[4]
“Follower” (pseudonymous author); ‘Football – Team Performances: Rises and Falls’; The West Australian, 15 October 1940, p. 4
[5]
‘A Fine Recovery: Strong Finish by West Perth’; The West Australian, 29 April 1940, p. 5
[6]
‘Claremont in Form: Swan Districts Well Beaten’; The West Australian, 29 April 1940, p. 5
[7]
‘Superior Teamwork: East Perth’s 33-point Victory’; The West Australian, 29 April 1940, p. 5
[8]
‘Goal-Front Accuracy: South Fremantle’s Success’; The West Australian, 29 April 1940, p. 5
[9]
‘West Perth Impress: Easy Victory Over Subiaco’: The West Australian; 6 May 1940; p. 14
[10]
‘Claremont Too Strong: East Fremantle Soundly Beaten’: The West Australian; 6 May 1940; p. 14
[11]
‘Brilliant Third Quarter: South Fremantle’s Hollow Win’: The West Australian; 6 May 1940; p. 14
[12]
‘East Perth Wins – Protest Lodged by Perth’; The West Australian, 8 May 1940, p. 14
[13]
‘Whittle Eligible: Perth Protest Dismissed’; The West Australian, 11 May 1940, p. 11
[14]
‘Swan Districts Fades Out: East Fremantle’s First Success’; The West Australian, 13 May 1940, p. 8
[15]
‘Stirring Last Quarter: Claremont Narrowly Defeated’; The West Australian, 13 May 1940, p. 8
[16]
‘A Muddling Game: Subiaco Loses to Perth’; The West Australian, 13 May 1940, p. 8
[17]
‘East Perth’s Strong Finish: 31-point Win over West Perth’; The West Australian, 13 May 1940, p. 8
[18]
‘Superior Forward Play: West Perth Successful’; The West Australian, 20 May 1940, p. 11
[19]
‘Ahead in Every Quarter: Claremont Easily Beats Subiaco’; The West Australian, 20 May 1940, p. 11
[20]
‘A Desultory Game: East Perth’s Easy Win’; The West Australian, 20 May 1940, p. 11
[21]
‘Brilliant High Marking: Perth Overwhelms South Fremantle’; The West Australian, 20 May 1940, p. 11
[22]
‘East Perth Impress: Too Good for South Fremantle’; The West Australian, 27 May 1940, p. 9
[23]
‘Won by a Point: Claremont’s Unsuccessful Effort’; The West Australian, 27 May 1940, p. 9
[24]
‘Another Perth Victory: Swan Districts’ Vain Struggle’; The West Australian, 27 May 1940, p. 9
[25]
‘G. Doig in Form: 12 Goals Against Subiaco’; The West Australian, 27 May 1940, p. 9
[26]
‘Subiaco’s First Win: Big Margin Over Swan Districts’; The West Australian, 3 June 1940, p. 6
[27]
‘58 Points in Last Quarter: South Fremantle’s Great Finish’; The West Australian, 3 June 1940, p. 6
[28]
‘Claremont’s Superiority: Good Victory Over East Perth’; The West Australian, 3 June 1940, p. 6
[29]
‘East Fremantle’s Success: Perth Finishes with 17 Men’; The West Australian, 3 June 1940, p. 6
[30]
‘A Fine Recovery: South Fremantle’s Success’; The West Australian, 10 June 1940, p. 9
[31]
‘Nine Goals to Tyson: West Perth Held in First Half’; The West Australian, 10 June 1940, p. 9
[32]
‘Claremont Impressive: Perth Beaten by Ten Goals’; The West Australian, 10 June 1940, p. 9
[33]
‘East Fremantle Brilliant: East Perth Easily Outpointed’; The West Australian, 10 June 1940, p. 9
[34]
"WAFL Footy Facts: Won From First Quarter Deficit". Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2013.
[35]
‘Fourth Successive Reverse: Perth Easily Beaten by East Perth’; The West Australian, 17 June 1940, p. 13
[36]
‘An Exciting Finish: East Fremantle’s Narrow Win’; The West Australian, 17 June 1940, p. 13
[37]
‘Won by Ten Goals: Subiaco No Match for West Perth’; The West Australian, 17 June 1940, p. 13
[38]
‘A Comfortable Victory: South Fremantle’s Big Score’; The West Australian, 17 June 1940, p. 13
[39]
‘Claremont’s Hard Fight: Swan Districts’ Good Display’; The West Australian, 24 June 1940, p. 14
[40]
‘West Perth Wins Easily: Perth Defeated by 79 Points’; The West Australian, 24 June 1940, p. 14
[41]
‘Exciting Last Quarter: East Fremantle’s Late Rally’; The West Australian, 24 June 1940, p. 14
[42]
‘Failure in Second Half: Subiaco Beaten by East Perth’; The West Australian, 24 June 1940, p. 14
[43]
‘Prominent Footballer Undergoes Operation’; Kalgoorlie Miner, 6 July 1940, p. 4
[44]
‘Last Quarter Rally: East Fremantle Wins Comfortably’; The West Australian, 1 July 1940, p. 3
[45]
‘Superior Marking: East Perth’s Good Recovery’; The West Australian, 1 July 1940, p. 3
[46]
‘Subiaco’s Second Victory: Perth Badly Beaten’; The West Australian, 1 July 1940, p. 3
[47]
‘Claremont in Fine Form: South Fremantle Outplayed’; The West Australian, 1 July 1940, p. 3
[48]
‘Easy Victory for Claremont: G. Moloney Kicks 13 Goals’; The West Australian, 8 July 1940, p. 14
[49]
‘East Fremantle Untroubled: West Perth Weak in Attack’; The West Australian, 8 July 1940, p. 14
[50]
‘Swan Districts Outclassed: East Perth’s 66-Point Win’; The West Australian, 8 July 1940, p. 14
[51]
‘Low-Scoring Game: Perth Presses South Fremantle’; The West Australian, 8 July 1940, p. 14
[52]
"WAFL Footy Facts: Biggest Wins with Less Scoring Shots". Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2013.
[53]
‘First Win for the Season: Swan Districts’ Determination’; The West Australian, 15 July 1940, p. 13
[54]
‘A Remarkable Recovery: South Fremantle’s Fine Effort’; The West Australian, 15 July 1940, p. 13
[55]
‘Interesting Play: Claremont Too Strong for West Perth’; The West Australian, 15 July 1940, p. 13
[56]
‘An Exciting Finish: Subiaco and East Fremantle Draw’; The West Australian, 15 July 1940, p. 13
[57]
"WAFL Footy Facts: Swan Districts – Wins with Less Scoring Shots". Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2013.
[58]
"WAFL Footy Facts: Subiaco Oval". Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2013.
[59]
‘System Triumphs: East Fremantle Beats Perth’; The West Australian, 22 July 1940, p. 12
[60]
‘Swan Districts’ Success: Subiaco Soundly Defeated’; The West Australian, 22 July 1940, p. 12
[61]
‘South Fremantle Wins Again: West Perth Shows Spirit’; The West Australian, 22 July 1940, p. 12
[62]
‘Hard Game at Claremont: East Perth Attack Fails’; The West Australian, 22 July 1940, p. 12
[63]
‘League Football: Claremont Beats Perth – Only Ten Points to Spare’; The West Australian, 22 April 1940, p. 7
[64]
‘West Perth’s Recovery: Hard Tussle at the W.A.C.A. Ground’; The West Australian, 29 July 1940, p. 9
[65]
‘Sharpe Reversal of Form: Subiaco Administers a Drubbing’; The West Australian, 29 July 1940, p. 9
[66]
‘An Even Game: East Fremantle’s Teamwork’; The West Australian, 29 July 1940, p. 9
[67]
See Indian Ocean Climate Initiative: Stage 3: Summary for Policymakers
[68]
"WAFL Footy Facts: South Fremantle – More Behinds than Goals". Archived from the original on 26 December 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2013.
[69]
‘League Football: East Perth’s Lead – Perth Loses by 19 Points’; The West Australian, 4 June 1940, p. 3
[70]
‘East Fremantle Superior: Claremont Team Outplayed’; The West Australian, 12 August 1940, p. 9
[71]
‘West Perth’s Easy Win: Subiaco Fails in Third Quarter’; The West Australian, 12 August 1940, p. 9
[72]
‘An Eleven-GoalMargin: Swan Districts’ Misfortune’; The West Australian, 12 August 1940, p. 9
[73]
‘West Perth Defeated – Perth’s Determined Effort’; The West Australian, 19 August 1940, p. 9
[74]
‘Claremont’s Record Score: Nineteen Goals to G. Moloney’; The West Australian, 19 August 1940, p. 9
[75]
‘South Fremantle superior: Straight-Ahead Play and Teamwork’; The West Australian, 19 August 1940, p. 9
[76]
‘East Perth’s Narrow Win: Subiaco Beaten by Four Points’; The West Australian, 19 August 1940, p. 9
[77]
Swan Districts: Highest Scores Conceded
[78]
"West Australian Football League: Biggest Wins". Archived from the original on 26 December 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2013.
[79]
‘League Football: Eventful Matches – Leading Teams Worried’; The West Australian, 19 August 1940, p. 9
[80]
‘East Perth Wins – West Perth Well Beaten’; The West Australian, 26 August 1940, p. 12
[81]
‘Subiaco Fights on – Narrow Victory Over Perth’; The West Australian, 26 August 1940, p. 12
[82]
‘A Five-Point Victory: Claremont Recovers Well’; The West Australian, 26 August 1940, p. 12
[83]
‘Scrambling Play: East Fremantle Leads Throughout’; The West Australian, 26 August 1940, p. 12
[84]
‘South Fremantle Wins – Hard Game Against Perth’; The West Australian, 2 September 1940, p. 9
[85]
‘East Perth’s Narrow Escape: Strenuous Effort by Swan Districts’; The West Australian, 2 September 1940, p. 9
[86]
‘West Perth Beaten: East Fremantle’s Late Rally’; The West Australian, 2 September 1940, p. 9
[87]
‘Claremotn Hard Pressed: Subiaco Again Plays Well’; The West Australian, 2 September 1940, p. 9
[88]
‘Subiaco Wins Easily: Swan Districts Overwhelmed’; The West Australian, 9 September 1940, p. 2
[89]
‘South Fremantle Fails: Strong Finish by West Perth’; The West Australian, 9 September 1940, p. 2
[90]
‘Claremont’s Superiority: East Perth Loses in the Ruck’; The West Australian, 9 September 1940, p. 2
[91]
‘Nearly Beaten – East Fremantle Scrapes Home’; The West Australian, 9 September 1940, p. 2
[92]
‘Claremont Wins Easily – Perth Well Beaten in Second Half’; The West Australian, 16 September 1940, p. 3
[93]
‘East Fremantle's Success: East Perth Fails in Attack’; The West Australian, 16 September 1940, p. 3
[94]
‘South Fremantle’s Big Score – Depleted Subiaco Team Defeated’; The West Australian, 16 September 1940, p. 3
[95]
‘Swan Districts Routed – 88-Point Win for West Perth’; The West Australian, 16 September 1940, p. 3
[96]
‘Football Semi-Final: An Exciting Finish – East Fremantle’s Success’; The West Australian, 23 September 1940, p. 11
[97]
‘Football Semi-Final: South Fremantle Triumphs – Hard Fight by Claremont’; The West Australian, 30 September 1940, p. 9
[98]
‘Football Final: Claremont’s Brilliance – Astonishing Second-Half Rally’; The West Australian, 7 October 1940, p. 9
[99]
‘Football Premiership: Claremont’s Victory: Superior Forward Play’; The West Australian, 14 October 1940, p. 9

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[59] [N 1]
As of 2023, Perth have never drawn any senior WA(N)FL match with either Subiaco or South Fremantle.

[1] [1]
‘Football: City Council Grounds for Practice’; The West Australian, 12 March 1940, p. 9

[2] [2]
‘New Move in Oval Dispute’; The Daily News, 28 March 1940, p. 11

[3] [3]
Barnett, Peter; ‘It’s Only 17 Years since Swan Districts Entered the Game: The Youngest League Team’; Western Mail, 14 June 1951, p. 23

[4] [4]
“Follower” (pseudonymous author); ‘Football – Team Performances: Rises and Falls’; The West Australian, 15 October 1940, p. 4

[5] [5]
‘A Fine Recovery: Strong Finish by West Perth’; The West Australian, 29 April 1940, p. 5

[6] [6]
‘Claremont in Form: Swan Districts Well Beaten’; The West Australian, 29 April 1940, p. 5

[7] [7]
‘Superior Teamwork: East Perth’s 33-point Victory’; The West Australian, 29 April 1940, p. 5

[8] [8]
‘Goal-Front Accuracy: South Fremantle’s Success’; The West Australian, 29 April 1940, p. 5

[9] [9]
‘West Perth Impress: Easy Victory Over Subiaco’: The West Australian; 6 May 1940; p. 14

[10] [10]
‘Claremont Too Strong: East Fremantle Soundly Beaten’: The West Australian; 6 May 1940; p. 14

[11] [11]
‘Brilliant Third Quarter: South Fremantle’s Hollow Win’: The West Australian; 6 May 1940; p. 14

[12] [12]
‘East Perth Wins – Protest Lodged by Perth’; The West Australian, 8 May 1940, p. 14

[13] [13]
‘Whittle Eligible: Perth Protest Dismissed’; The West Australian, 11 May 1940, p. 11

[14] [14]
‘Swan Districts Fades Out: East Fremantle’s First Success’; The West Australian, 13 May 1940, p. 8

[15] [15]
‘Stirring Last Quarter: Claremont Narrowly Defeated’; The West Australian, 13 May 1940, p. 8

[16] [16]
‘A Muddling Game: Subiaco Loses to Perth’; The West Australian, 13 May 1940, p. 8

[17] [17]
‘East Perth’s Strong Finish: 31-point Win over West Perth’; The West Australian, 13 May 1940, p. 8

[18] [18]
‘Superior Forward Play: West Perth Successful’; The West Australian, 20 May 1940, p. 11

[19] [19]
‘Ahead in Every Quarter: Claremont Easily Beats Subiaco’; The West Australian, 20 May 1940, p. 11

[20] [20]
‘A Desultory Game: East Perth’s Easy Win’; The West Australian, 20 May 1940, p. 11

[21] [21]
‘Brilliant High Marking: Perth Overwhelms South Fremantle’; The West Australian, 20 May 1940, p. 11

[22] [22]
‘East Perth Impress: Too Good for South Fremantle’; The West Australian, 27 May 1940, p. 9

[23] [23]
‘Won by a Point: Claremont’s Unsuccessful Effort’; The West Australian, 27 May 1940, p. 9

[24] [24]
‘Another Perth Victory: Swan Districts’ Vain Struggle’; The West Australian, 27 May 1940, p. 9

[25] [25]
‘G. Doig in Form: 12 Goals Against Subiaco’; The West Australian, 27 May 1940, p. 9

[26] [26]
‘Subiaco’s First Win: Big Margin Over Swan Districts’; The West Australian, 3 June 1940, p. 6

[27] [27]
‘58 Points in Last Quarter: South Fremantle’s Great Finish’; The West Australian, 3 June 1940, p. 6

[28] [28]
‘Claremont’s Superiority: Good Victory Over East Perth’; The West Australian, 3 June 1940, p. 6

[29] [29]
‘East Fremantle’s Success: Perth Finishes with 17 Men’; The West Australian, 3 June 1940, p. 6

[30] [30]
‘A Fine Recovery: South Fremantle’s Success’; The West Australian, 10 June 1940, p. 9

[31] [31]
‘Nine Goals to Tyson: West Perth Held in First Half’; The West Australian, 10 June 1940, p. 9

[32] [32]
‘Claremont Impressive: Perth Beaten by Ten Goals’; The West Australian, 10 June 1940, p. 9

[33] [33]
‘East Fremantle Brilliant: East Perth Easily Outpointed’; The West Australian, 10 June 1940, p. 9

[WAFL-34] [34]
"WAFL Footy Facts: Won From First Quarter Deficit". Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2013.

[35] [35]
‘Fourth Successive Reverse: Perth Easily Beaten by East Perth’; The West Australian, 17 June 1940, p. 13

[36] [36]
‘An Exciting Finish: East Fremantle’s Narrow Win’; The West Australian, 17 June 1940, p. 13

[37] [37]
‘Won by Ten Goals: Subiaco No Match for West Perth’; The West Australian, 17 June 1940, p. 13

[38] [38]
‘A Comfortable Victory: South Fremantle’s Big Score’; The West Australian, 17 June 1940, p. 13

[39] [39]
‘Claremont’s Hard Fight: Swan Districts’ Good Display’; The West Australian, 24 June 1940, p. 14

[40] [40]
‘West Perth Wins Easily: Perth Defeated by 79 Points’; The West Australian, 24 June 1940, p. 14

[41] [41]
‘Exciting Last Quarter: East Fremantle’s Late Rally’; The West Australian, 24 June 1940, p. 14

[42] [42]
‘Failure in Second Half: Subiaco Beaten by East Perth’; The West Australian, 24 June 1940, p. 14

[43] [43]
‘Prominent Footballer Undergoes Operation’; Kalgoorlie Miner, 6 July 1940, p. 4

[44] [44]
‘Last Quarter Rally: East Fremantle Wins Comfortably’; The West Australian, 1 July 1940, p. 3

[45] [45]
‘Superior Marking: East Perth’s Good Recovery’; The West Australian, 1 July 1940, p. 3

[46] [46]
‘Subiaco’s Second Victory: Perth Badly Beaten’; The West Australian, 1 July 1940, p. 3

[47] [47]
‘Claremont in Fine Form: South Fremantle Outplayed’; The West Australian, 1 July 1940, p. 3

[48] [48]
‘Easy Victory for Claremont: G. Moloney Kicks 13 Goals’; The West Australian, 8 July 1940, p. 14

[49] [49]
‘East Fremantle Untroubled: West Perth Weak in Attack’; The West Australian, 8 July 1940, p. 14

[50] [50]
‘Swan Districts Outclassed: East Perth’s 66-Point Win’; The West Australian, 8 July 1940, p. 14

[51] [51]
‘Low-Scoring Game: Perth Presses South Fremantle’; The West Australian, 8 July 1940, p. 14

[52] [52]
"WAFL Footy Facts: Biggest Wins with Less Scoring Shots". Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2013.

[53] [53]
‘First Win for the Season: Swan Districts’ Determination’; The West Australian, 15 July 1940, p. 13

[54] [54]
‘A Remarkable Recovery: South Fremantle’s Fine Effort’; The West Australian, 15 July 1940, p. 13

[55] [55]
‘Interesting Play: Claremont Too Strong for West Perth’; The West Australian, 15 July 1940, p. 13

[56] [56]
‘An Exciting Finish: Subiaco and East Fremantle Draw’; The West Australian, 15 July 1940, p. 13

[57] [57]
"WAFL Footy Facts: Swan Districts – Wins with Less Scoring Shots". Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2013.

[58] [58]
"WAFL Footy Facts: Subiaco Oval". Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2013.

[60] [59]
‘System Triumphs: East Fremantle Beats Perth’; The West Australian, 22 July 1940, p. 12

[61] [60]
‘Swan Districts’ Success: Subiaco Soundly Defeated’; The West Australian, 22 July 1940, p. 12

[62] [61]
‘South Fremantle Wins Again: West Perth Shows Spirit’; The West Australian, 22 July 1940, p. 12

[63] [62]
‘Hard Game at Claremont: East Perth Attack Fails’; The West Australian, 22 July 1940, p. 12

[64] [63]
‘League Football: Claremont Beats Perth – Only Ten Points to Spare’; The West Australian, 22 April 1940, p. 7

[65] [64]
‘West Perth’s Recovery: Hard Tussle at the W.A.C.A. Ground’; The West Australian, 29 July 1940, p. 9

[66] [65]
‘Sharpe Reversal of Form: Subiaco Administers a Drubbing’; The West Australian, 29 July 1940, p. 9

[even-67] [66]
‘An Even Game: East Fremantle’s Teamwork’; The West Australian, 29 July 1940, p. 9

[68] [67]
See Indian Ocean Climate Initiative: Stage 3: Summary for Policymakers

[69] [68]
"WAFL Footy Facts: South Fremantle – More Behinds than Goals". Archived from the original on 26 December 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2013.

[70] [69]
‘League Football: East Perth’s Lead – Perth Loses by 19 Points’; The West Australian, 4 June 1940, p. 3

[71] [70]
‘East Fremantle Superior: Claremont Team Outplayed’; The West Australian, 12 August 1940, p. 9

[72] [71]
‘West Perth’s Easy Win: Subiaco Fails in Third Quarter’; The West Australian, 12 August 1940, p. 9

[73] [72]
‘An Eleven-GoalMargin: Swan Districts’ Misfortune’; The West Australian, 12 August 1940, p. 9

[74] [73]
‘West Perth Defeated – Perth’s Determined Effort’; The West Australian, 19 August 1940, p. 9

[75] [74]
‘Claremont’s Record Score: Nineteen Goals to G. Moloney’; The West Australian, 19 August 1940, p. 9

[76] [75]
‘South Fremantle superior: Straight-Ahead Play and Teamwork’; The West Australian, 19 August 1940, p. 9

[77] [76]
‘East Perth’s Narrow Win: Subiaco Beaten by Four Points’; The West Australian, 19 August 1940, p. 9

[78] [77]
Swan Districts: Highest Scores Conceded

[79] [78]
"West Australian Football League: Biggest Wins". Archived from the original on 26 December 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2013.

[80] [79]
‘League Football: Eventful Matches – Leading Teams Worried’; The West Australian, 19 August 1940, p. 9

[81] [80]
‘East Perth Wins – West Perth Well Beaten’; The West Australian, 26 August 1940, p. 12

[82] [81]
‘Subiaco Fights on – Narrow Victory Over Perth’; The West Australian, 26 August 1940, p. 12

[83] [82]
‘A Five-Point Victory: Claremont Recovers Well’; The West Australian, 26 August 1940, p. 12

[84] [83]
‘Scrambling Play: East Fremantle Leads Throughout’; The West Australian, 26 August 1940, p. 12

[85] [84]
‘South Fremantle Wins – Hard Game Against Perth’; The West Australian, 2 September 1940, p. 9

[86] [85]
‘East Perth’s Narrow Escape: Strenuous Effort by Swan Districts’; The West Australian, 2 September 1940, p. 9

[87] [86]
‘West Perth Beaten: East Fremantle’s Late Rally’; The West Australian, 2 September 1940, p. 9

[88] [87]
‘Claremotn Hard Pressed: Subiaco Again Plays Well’; The West Australian, 2 September 1940, p. 9

[89] [88]
‘Subiaco Wins Easily: Swan Districts Overwhelmed’; The West Australian, 9 September 1940, p. 2

[90] [89]
‘South Fremantle Fails: Strong Finish by West Perth’; The West Australian, 9 September 1940, p. 2

[91] [90]
‘Claremont’s Superiority: East Perth Loses in the Ruck’; The West Australian, 9 September 1940, p. 2

[92] [91]
‘Nearly Beaten – East Fremantle Scrapes Home’; The West Australian, 9 September 1940, p. 2

[93] [92]
‘Claremont Wins Easily – Perth Well Beaten in Second Half’; The West Australian, 16 September 1940, p. 3

[94] [93]
‘East Fremantle's Success: East Perth Fails in Attack’; The West Australian, 16 September 1940, p. 3

[95] [94]
‘South Fremantle’s Big Score – Depleted Subiaco Team Defeated’; The West Australian, 16 September 1940, p. 3

[96] [95]
‘Swan Districts Routed – 88-Point Win for West Perth’; The West Australian, 16 September 1940, p. 3

[97] [96]
‘Football Semi-Final: An Exciting Finish – East Fremantle’s Success’; The West Australian, 23 September 1940, p. 11

[98] [97]
‘Football Semi-Final: South Fremantle Triumphs – Hard Fight by Claremont’; The West Australian, 30 September 1940, p. 9

[99] [98]
‘Football Final: Claremont’s Brilliance – Astonishing Second-Half Rally’; The West Australian, 7 October 1940, p. 9

[100] [99]
‘Football Premiership: Claremont’s Victory: Superior Forward Play’; The West Australian, 14 October 1940, p. 9

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[49]

[50]

[51]

[52]

[53]

[54]

[55]

[56]

[57]

[58]

[note 1]

[59]

[60]

[61]

[62]

[63]

[64]

[65]

[66]

[67]

[68]

[69]

[70]

[71]

[72]

[73]

[74]

[75]

[76]

[77]

[78]

[79]

[80]

[81]

[82]

[83]

[84]

[85]

[86]

[87]

[88]

[89]

[90]

[91]

[92]

[93]

[94]

[95]

[96]

[97]

[98]

[99]


	Round 1
Saturday, 27 April (2:45 pm)	Perth 14.11 (95)	def. by	West Perth 15.10 (100)	WACA	^[5]
Saturday, 27 April (2:45 pm)	Claremont 18.11 (119)	def.	Swan Districts 10.9 (69)	Claremont Oval	^[6]
Saturday, 27 April (2:45 pm)	Subiaco 11.8 (74)	def. by	East Perth 15.17 (107)	Subiaco Oval	^[7]
Saturday, 27 April (2:45 pm)	South Fremantle 20.9 (129)	def.	East Fremantle 18.11 (119)	Fremantle Oval	^[8]
Aided by a late clearance for Keith Shea from Subiaco, South Fremantle win a thrilling high-scoring derby.


	Round 2
Saturday, 4 May (2:45 pm)	Subiaco 11.9 (75)	def. by	West Perth 17.14 (116)	Subiaco Oval	^[9]
Saturday, 4 May (2:45 pm)	East Fremantle 11.18 (84)	def. by	Claremont 17.15 (117)	Fremantle Oval	^[10]
Saturday, 4 May (2:45 pm)	Swan Districts 8.8 (56)	def. by	South Fremantle 18.19 (127)	Bassendean Oval	^[11]
Monday, 6 May (2:45 pm)	East Perth 15.10 (100)	def.	Perth 10.7 (67)	Subiaco Oval	^[12]
With Bill Baker providing support for Tyson in attack and improvement by young on-ballers such as Kingsbury and Rainoldi, the Cardinals exceeded their 1939 win tally after only two games. Perth lodged an unsuccessful protest over the eligibility of Alvan Whittle, who was ruled to have recently enough resided in East Perth’s district the following Saturday.^[13]


	Round 3
Saturday, 11 May (2:45 pm)	Swan Districts 9.10 (64)	def. by	East Fremantle 20.13 (133)	Bassendean Oval	^[14]
Saturday, 11 May (2:45 pm)	South Fremantle 9.24 (78)	def.	Claremont 9.16 (70)	Fremantle Oval	^[15]
Saturday, 11 May (2:45 pm)	Subiaco 12.12 (84)	def. by	Perth 14.15 (99)	Subiaco Oval	^[16]
Saturday, 11 May (2:45 pm)	West Perth 10.7 (67)	def. by	East Perth 13.14 (92)	WACA	^[17]
After kicking an amazing 3.22 (40) to three-quarter time in favourable conditions, South Fremantle kick 6.2 (38) to overpower the dual-premiership Tigers.


	Round 4
Saturday, 18 May (2:45 pm)	East Fremantle 11.14 (80)	def. by	West Perth 12.11 (83)	Fremantle Oval	^[18]
Saturday, 18 May (2:45 pm)	Claremont 19.20 (134)	def.	Subiaco 10.10 (70)	Claremont Oval	^[19]
Saturday, 18 May (2:45 pm)	East Perth 20.14 (134)	def.	Swan Districts 8.11 (59)	Subiaco Oval	^[20]
Saturday, 18 May (2:45 pm)	Perth 18.15 (123)	def.	South Fremantle 7.10 (52)	WACA	^[21]
8.7 (55) from Doug Oliphant and brilliant high-marking from Gook and Henfry give Perth a crushing victory (111 marks to 54) that proved a false dawn for the season. West Perth beat East Fremantle at Fremantle for the first time since 1929.


	Round 5
Saturday, 25 May (2:45 pm)	East Perth 14.14 (98)	def.	South Fremantle 10.16 (76)	Subiaco Oval	^[22]
Saturday, 25 May (2:45 pm)	Claremont 11.15 (81)	def. by	West Perth 12.10 (82)	WACA	^[23]
Saturday, 25 May (2:45 pm)	Swan Districts 7.13 (55)	def. by	Perth 11.12 (78)	Bassendean Oval	^[24]
Saturday, 25 May (2:45 pm)	East Fremantle 23.20 (158)	def.	Subiaco 14.3 (87)	Fremantle Oval	^[25]

1940_WANFL_season

1940 WANFL season

Home-and-away season

Round 1

Round 2 (Labour Day)

Round 3

Round 4

Round 5

Round 6

Round 7

Round 8

Round 9

Round 10

Round 11

Round 12

Round 13

Round 14

Round 15 (Foundation Day)

Round 16

Round 17

Round 18

Round 19

Round 20

Ladder

Finals

First semi-final

Second semi-final

Preliminary final

Grand Final

Notes

References

External links

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1940 WAFL season
Teams	8
Premiers	Claremont 3rd premiership
Minor premiers	Claremont 3rd minor premiership
Sandover Medallist	“Checker” O‘Keefe (West Perth)
Bernie Naylor Medallist	George Moloney (Claremont)
Matches played	84
← 1939 1941 →


	Round 6
Saturday, 1 June (2:45 pm)	Swan Districts 6.11 (47)	def. by	Subiaco 18.25 (133)	Bassendean Oval	^[26]
Saturday, 1 June (2:45 pm)	West Perth 13.11 (89)	def. by	South Fremantle 18.19 (127)	WACA	^[27]
Saturday, 1 June (2:45 pm)	East Perth 6.16 (52)	def. by	Claremont 13.18 (96)	Subiaco Oval	^[28]
Saturday, 1 June (2:45 pm)	East Fremantle 18.12 (120)	def.	Perth 13.12 (90)	Fremantle Oval	^[29]
With rover Truscott scoring ten goals, South Fremantle demoralise the improving Cardinals in the final quarter after being behind all afternoon, scoring 8.10 (58) to 1.0 (6).


	Round 7
Saturday, 8 June (2:45 pm)	South Fremantle 14.18 (102)	def.	Subiaco 13.9 (87)	Fremantle Oval	^[30]
Saturday, 8 June (2:45 pm)	Swan Districts 9.10 (64)	def. by	West Perth 16.10 (106)	Bassendean Oval	^[31]
Saturday, 8 June (2:45 pm)	Claremont 22.17 (149)	def.	Perth 12.17 (89)	Claremont Oval	^[32]
Saturday, 8 June (2:45 pm)	East Perth 9.14 (68)	def. by	East Fremantle 15.9 (99)	Subiaco Oval	^[33]
South Fremantle set a record by winning from a quarter-time deficit of 45 points, to be broken later in the season.^[34]


	Round 8
Saturday, 15 June (2:45 pm)	Perth 10.12 (72)	def. by	East Perth 12.17 (89)	WACA	^[35]
Saturday, 15 June (2:45 pm)	Claremont 12.6 (78)	def. by	East Fremantle 12.11 (83)	Claremont Oval	^[36]
Saturday, 15 June (2:45 pm)	Subiaco 5.7 (37)	def. by	West Perth 15.7 (97)	Subiaco Oval	^[37]
Saturday, 15 June (2:45 pm)	South Fremantle 22.27 (159)	def.	Swan Districts 11.11 (77)	Fremantle Oval	^[38]
A missed shot on the siren from an acute angle by Johnny Compton denies Claremont a draw after trailing all day.


	Round 9
Saturday, 22 June (2:45 pm)	Swan Districts 14.14 (98)	def. by	Claremont 16.20 (116)	Bassendean Oval	^[39]
Saturday, 22 June (2:45 pm)	West Perth 20.17 (137)	def.	Perth 8.10 (58)	Subiaco Oval	^[40]
Saturday, 22 June (2:45 pm)	South Fremantle 14.18 (102)	def.	East Fremantle 13.11 (89)	Fremantle Oval	^[41]
Saturday, 22 June (2:45 pm)	East Perth 12.15 (87)	def.	Subiaco 6.15 (51)	WACA	^[42]
Despite Holdsworth kicking seven behinds from ten shots, Swan Districts play their best match for 1940 and are within five points of Claremont late in the last quarter. West Perth move to second with a crushing win over Perth, with Tyson kicking 9.5 in his last major performance before appendicitis ended his season.^[43]


	Round 10
Saturday, 29 June (2:45 pm)	East Fremantle 18.21 (129)	def.	Swan Districts 13.6 (84)	Fremantle Oval	^[44]
Saturday, 29 June (2:45 pm)	West Perth 11.4 (70)	def. by	East Perth 11.19 (85)	Subiaco Oval	^[45]
Saturday, 29 June (2:45 pm)	Perth 8.9 (57)	def. by	Subiaco 15.5 (95)	WACA	^[46]
Saturday, 29 June (2:45 pm)	Claremont 24.13 (157)	def.	South Fremantle 10.16 (76)	Claremont Oval	^[47]
Despite losing Reid and having key strongman Compton carrying an injury, Claremont produce a superlative display against South Fremantle, with Heusler and Sutherland detracting the play and O‘Neill dominant at centre half-back.


	Round 11
Saturday, 6 July (2:45 pm)	Subiaco 11.23 (89)	def. by	Claremont 20.9 (129)	Subiaco Oval	^[48]
Saturday, 6 July (2:45 pm)	West Perth 8.13 (61)	def. by	East Fremantle 20.11 (131)	WACA	^[49]
Saturday, 6 July (2:45 pm)	Swan Districts 9.8 (62)	def. by	East Perth 18.20 (128)	Bassendean Oval	^[50]
Saturday, 6 July (2:45 pm)	South Fremantle 12.17 (89)	def.	Perth 9.13 (67)	Fremantle Oval	^[51]
With George Moloney kicking thirteen goals, Claremont record the biggest win with fewer scoring shots in the WANFL until 1969.^[52]


	Round 12
Saturday, 13 July (2:45 pm)	Perth 10.22 (82)	def. by	Swan Districts 13.9 (87)	WACA	^[53]
Saturday, 13 July (2:45 pm)	South Fremantle 18.14 (122)	def.	East Perth 10.13 (73)	Fremantle Oval	^[54]
Saturday, 13 July (2:45 pm)	Claremont 17.13 (115)	def.	West Perth 14.12 (96)	Claremont Oval	^[55]
Saturday, 13 July (2:45 pm)	Subiaco 15.18 (108)	drew with	East Fremantle 16.12 (108)	Subiaco Oval	^[56]
In finally winning their first game for the year, Swan Districts record their greatest deficit in scoring shots for a winning match until the 1963 Preliminary Final.^[57] East Fremantle and Subiaco played the first draw since the 1938 Grand Final, and what proved the last-ever senior WA(N)FL home-and-away draw at Subiaco Oval.^[58] It is also the last time any pair of pre-1926 clubs have played a first drawn encounter.^{[note 1]}


	Round 13
Saturday, 20 July (2:45 pm)	Perth 12.7 (79)	def. by	East Fremantle 14.13 (97)	WACA	^[59]
Saturday, 20 July (2:45 pm)	Subiaco 11.13 (79)	def. by	Swan Districts 16.13 (109)	Subiaco Oval	^[60]
Saturday, 20 July (2:45 pm)	South Fremantle 18.15 (123)	def.	West Perth 12.12 (84)	Fremantle Oval	^[61]
Saturday, 20 July (2:45 pm)	Claremont 11.14 (80)	def.	East Perth 10.6 (66)	Claremont Oval	^[62]
With Holdsworth and Clem Rosewarne reaching their best form for the first time and combining for fourteen goals, Swan Districts win their second and last match for 1940.


	Round 14
Saturday, 20 April (2:45 pm)	Perth 10.11 (71)	def. by	Claremont 11.15 (81)	Subiaco Oval	^[63]
Saturday, 27 July (2:45 pm)	West Perth 7.22 (64)	def.	Swan Districts 7.12 (54)	WACA	^[64]
Saturday, 27 July (2:45 pm)	Subiaco 13.11 (89)	def.	South Fremantle 6.26 (62)	Subiaco Oval	^[65]
Saturday, 27 July (2:45 pm)	East Fremantle 11.18 (84)	def.	East Perth 10.11 (71)	Fremantle Oval	^[66]
In slippery conditions despite the driest season on record in southwestern Australia before the influence of anthropogenic global warming,^[67] West Perth become the first team to win after being goalless at half-time since East Perth in 1920. South Fremantle’s inaccuracy – still their greatest excess of behinds over goals^[68] – gives Subiaco a major upset and leaves Claremont a game clear on top. During the East Fremantle versus East Perth match, in a gloomy last quarter the unusual step was taken of using training lights.^[66]

1940 ladder
Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	D	PF	PA	PP	Pts
1	Claremont (P)	20	15	5	0	2208	1603	137.7	60
2	South Fremantle	20	15	5	0	2079	1687	123.2	60
3	East Fremantle	20	14	5	1	2035	1661	122.5	58
4	East Perth	20	13	7	0	1688	1488	113.4	52
5	West Perth	20	11	9	0	1769	1622	109.1	44
6	Subiaco	20	5	14	1	1571	1980	79.3	22
7	Perth	20	4	16	0	1552	1845	84.1	16
8	Swan Districts	20	2	18	0	1387	2403	57.7	8


	1940 WANFL Grand Final
Saturday, 12 October	South Fremantle	def. by	Claremont	Subiaco Oval (crowd: 19,511)	^[99]
	0.3 (3) 4.6 (30) 5.13 (43) 9.20 (74)	Q1 Q2 Q3 Final	4.7 (31) 5.10 (40) 9.12 (66) 13.13 (91)	Umpires: F Ryan


Don Smith 3, Matthews 2, Truscott, Richardson, Gorn, Riley		Goals	George Moloney 5, Serjeant 2, Byfield 2, Reid, Kemp, Gibson, Julian
Don Smith, Truscott (until injured), Shea, Reilly, Dearle, Richardson, Dave Doig		Best	Sutherland, Grieve, George Moloney, Hooper, O‘Neill, Guthrie, Hunt
Truscott (dislocated elbow)		Injuries


Superior forward play ensures Claremont wins its third consecutive premiership after a hard-fought struggle.


	Round 15
Monday, 3 June (2:45 pm)	East Perth 12.13 (85)	def.	Perth 10.6 (66)	Subiaco Oval	^[69]
Saturday, 10 August (2:45 pm)	East Fremantle 18.11 (119)	def.	Claremont 9.8 (62)	Fremantle Oval	^[70]
Saturday, 10 August (2:45 pm)	West Perth 16.19 (115)	def.	Subiaco 6.8 (44)	WACA	^[71]
Saturday, 10 August (2:45 pm)	South Fremantle 24.10 (154)	def.	Swan Districts 13.10 (88)	Subiaco Oval	^[72]
East Fremantle’s ability to keep the play crowded ensures Claremont cannot play its normal running game and results in an impressive win for Old Easts.


	Round 16
Saturday, 17 August (2:45 pm)	Perth 8.10 (58)	def.	West Perth 5.16 (46)	WACA	^[73]
Saturday, 17 August (2:45 pm)	Claremont 33.22 (220)	def.	Swan Districts 7.15 (57)	Claremont Oval	^[74]
Saturday, 17 August (2:45 pm)	East Fremantle 8.7 (55)	def. by	South Fremantle 10.14 (74)	Fremantle Oval	^[75]
Saturday, 17 August (2:45 pm)	Subiaco 7.11 (53)	def. by	East Perth 8.9 (57)	Subiaco Oval	^[76]
Claremont beat its record score of 29.19 (193) from the previous season, becoming the first WANFL team to pass the 200-point barrier. It is still the highest score kicked against Swan Districts^[77] and was the biggest win in the WAFA/WAFL/WANFL since 1902.^[78] With 19.9 (123), George Moloney kicked the second-highest number of points by an individual in WANFL history, behind Bernie Naylor’s 23.6 (144) against Subiaco in 1953. It equalled George Doig’s 1934 record for most goals in a match.^[79] Despite the loss of Albert Gook, Perth end a run of nine consecutive defeats and deny West Perth a golden opportunity to move within half a win of the leading four.


	Round 17
Saturday, 24 August (2:45 pm)	West Perth 6.8 (44)	def. by	East Perth 10.11 (71)	Subiaco Oval	^[80]
Saturday, 24 August (2:45 pm)	Perth 7.6 (48)	def. by	Subiaco 7.9 (51)	WACA	^[81]
Saturday, 24 August (2:45 pm)	South Fremantle 9.13 (67)	def.	Claremont 8.14 (62)	Fremantle Oval	^[82]
Saturday, 24 August (2:45 pm)	Swan Districts 9.16 (70)	def. by	East Fremantle 12.16 (88)	Bassendean Oval	^[83]
On a boisterous day, South Fremantle, keeping Moloney goalless, take top place despite a strong second-half Tiger comeback. East Perth practically ensure the four will be unchanged from 1939 with a comfortable win over their traditional rivals in a match where only 2.1 (13) was scored into the gale.


	Round 18
Saturday, 31 August (2:45 pm)	South Fremantle 13.15 (93)	def.	Perth 9.12 (66)	Fremantle Oval	^[84]
Saturday, 31 August (2:45 pm)	Swan Districts 8.13 (61)	def. by	East Perth 9.14 (68)	Bassendean Oval	^[85]
Saturday, 31 August (2:45 pm)	West Perth 12.14 (86)	def. by	East Fremantle 14.10 (94)	Subiaco Oval	^[86]
Saturday, 31 August (2:45 pm)	Claremont 12.15 (87)	def.	Subiaco 10.7 (67)	Claremont Oval	^[87]
East Fremantle’s victory definitively settles who will play in the finals with two matches remaining as West Perth stand two and a half games behind. Bottom club Swan Districts nearly cause a major upset but poor shooting for goal allows East Perth a win that keeps them in the running to have the double chance in the finals.


	Round 19
Saturday, 7 September (2:45 pm)	Subiaco 22.18 (150)	def.	Swan Districts 11.12 (78)	Subiaco Oval	^[88]
Saturday, 7 September (2:45 pm)	West Perth 13.12 (90)	def.	South Fremantle 13.6 (84)	WACA	^[89]
Saturday, 7 September (2:45 pm)	Claremont 17.17 (119)	def.	East Perth 14.12 (96)	Claremont Oval	^[90]
Saturday, 7 September (2:45 pm)	East Fremantle 14.15 (99)	def.	Perth 14.9 (93)	Fremantle Oval	^[91]
Moloney kicks his hundredth goal (having already done so for Geelong in 1932) as Claremont all but wrap up the double chance with a certain win against Perth in the last round.


	Round 20
Saturday, 14 September (2:45 pm)	Perth 14.10 (94)	def. by	Claremont 20.16 (136)	WACA	^[92]
Saturday, 14 September (2:45 pm)	East Perth 8.7 (55)	def. by	East Fremantle 9.12 (66)	Subiaco Oval	^[93]
Saturday, 14 September (2:45 pm)	South Fremantle 28.15 (183)	def.	Subiaco 7.6 (48)	Fremantle Oval	^[94]
Saturday, 14 September (2:45 pm)	Swan Districts 7.6 (48)	def. by	West Perth 20.16 (136)	Bassendean Oval	^[95]
In winning after Perth led by 47 points at quarter-time, Claremont surpass South Fremantle’s record from earlier in the season to hold the double chance in the wake of East Fremantle’s win over East Perth.^[34]


	First semi-final
Saturday, 21 September (2:45 pm)	East Fremantle 9.11 (65)	def.	East Perth 8.12 (60)	Subiaco Oval (crowd: 6,200)
In a battle of defences affected by rain after quarter-time, East Perth spend the last three minutes deep in attack but fail to kick the winning goal.^[96]


	Second semi-final
Saturday, 28 September (2:45 pm)	Claremont 17.13 (115)	def. by	South Fremantle 19.16 (130)	Subiaco Oval (crowd: 9,166)
Remarkably pacy and precise play in the second quarter, scoring 9.7 (61) to 1.3 (9), puts South Fremantle into its first Grand Final since 1930 and makes it favourite for its first premiership in twenty-three seasons.^[97]


	Preliminary final
Saturday, 5 October (2:45 pm)	Claremont 19.17 (131)	def.	East Fremantle 13.17 (95)	Subiaco Oval (crowd: 10,649)
Kicking 14.10 (94) to 2.8 (20), Claremont produce a remarkable second-half rally to enter their fifth consecutive Grand Final.^[98]