The 1973 WANFL season was the 89th season of the Western Australian National Football League. It is most famous for Subiaco breaking the longest premiership drought in the history of the competition, winning for the first time since 1924 after having been a chopping block for most of the middle third of the century. Under the coaching of former St Kilda champion Ross Smith, the Lions, as they became christened in July,[1] bounced back from two disappointing seasons to lose only two of their final sixteen home-and-away games for their first minor premiership since 1935, then in a low-scoring Grand Final comfortably defeated a much more hardened West Perth team.
In addition to Subiaco's premiership win, veteran goal machine Austin Robertson, Jr. broke Ted Tyson’s record for most goals in a WANFL career late in the home-and-away season.
The season also saw 1972 Grand Finalists Claremont suffer the worst single-season fall in WAFL history, from only three losses to only four wins despite being pre-season premiership favourites,[2] as Essendon’s century goalkicker Geoff Blethyn proved an inadequate trade for champion ruckman Graham Moss. Eight losses by under two goals sunk Claremont further.[3] Despite exceptional form from Barry Cable in his last season with the club, Perth also fell from preliminary finalists to their worst record for thirty-two seasons of only six wins. Perennial battlers Swan Districts looked like a first finals berth since 1965 during the autumn but won only two of their last thirteen matches[4] as a rainy winter negated the strength in marking that won Swans their early victories.[5]
Perth hang on to win despite Tiger recruit Blethyn kicking a controversial last-quarter “soccer” goal that Demon defender Richard Peel believed he kicked himself.[6]
Swan Districts, after a clean-out by coach Jack Ensor, lead the Tigers 17.9 (111) to 4.9 (33) after three quarters.[2]
Thirty-two-year-old Peter Senior leads South Fremantle to a convincing win, along with ten-goal forward Peter Troode.[7]
Swan Districts kick their highest-ever second quarter score and the highest for that quarter at Bassendean Oval.[8]
With John Lewis brilliant at full-back, Claremont kick 9.17 (71) to 2.6 (18) after the first 22 minutes to with their first game in slippery conditions.[9]
Injuries to Vernon Orr, David Mile and fullback John Lewis (who was thrashing Austin Robertson, Jr. and threatening to keep him goalless for the first time since 1965) deny Claremont a win despite playing their best football of the season.[12]
Three goals from the previously outplayed Archie Duda win East Perth a thriller against the tailender despite a 70-metre shot from Bruce Duperouzel on the siren (which was punched clear).[15]
West Perth lose top spot despite winning a game where tailender Claremont wins three quarters, and their injuries rocket Subiaco to premiership favouritism for the first time at this stage since 1935.[3]
Bill Dempsey and reluctant defender Keith Miller help the Cardinals rebound to a thrilling win in a battle of defences. Austin Robertson kicked four goals to finish the match with 1,201, two behind former Cardinal Tyson.[22]
Austin Robertson was chaired from the ground after three goals took him to the WANFL record which he has held since.[23]
East Fremantle’s desperation and determination gives them an unexpected finals place after rivals South lose.[24]
East Perth reverse the last round result with a dramatic team reshuffle, as East Fremantle fail to use a strong wind in the first quarter.[25][26]
Mel Whinnen’s dominance of Peter Featherby in the centre and strong roving by Bill Valli and Shane Sheridan put the Cardinals in the Grand Final more comfortably than the score suggested.[27]
Subiaco win for the fourth time over the Royals in a match notable for a behind to East Perth being retracted after being placed on the scoreboard late in the second quarter (due to a Lion free kick).[28]
Subiaco’s superb defence win their first flag since 1924 on a very windy and damp afternoon.
a The other two were by West Perth against Swan Districts in 1940 and the Cardinals against South Fremantle in 1966.
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