The 1926 WAFL season was the 42nd season of senior football in Perth, Western Australia.
Desire had existed upon some stakeholders to expand the competition ever since it contracted to six clubs during World War I,[1] but because districts were not applied to the senior competition until 1925, the leading contenders, former club Midland Junction and established B-grade club Claremont-Cottesloe, were not able to attract or keep top players. Claremont, wearing the blue and gold colours of the local swimming club, were admitted at a meeting on 19 August 1925[2] and made their debut in 1926 but former “B” grade Claremont juniors with established WAFL clubs like Jerry Dolan and Pat Rodriguez were permitted to stay with their current clubs. Claremont had an exceedingly inexperienced team and were only able to win one game and that by a single point.[3] Patronisingly called the “babies” in their early years in the WAFL,[4] Claremont were not to finish above second-last in their first ten seasons, and were not helped by being the worst sufferer from the interstate recruiting drives of VFL clubs when the Great Depression began.[5]
With the return of champion coach Phil Matson after he was widely tipped to take over the reins at Richmond,[6] East Perth won their sixth premiership in eight seasons. West Perth, who had been last in 1924 but had a new grandstand constructed during the season at their eleven-year-old home base of Leederville,[7] rivalled them until September before the Royals showed themselves clearly the best team in the run home. Subiaco, who had developed what many regard as the best team it ever fielded in the previous season,[8] were disappointing until a stirring run from a mathematical chance for the four drives them to the Grand Final only to be thrashed – a scenario repeated by the Maroons in 1933.
Claremont-Cottesloe make their league debut with only one established player in Norm McIntosh (formerly of Richmond) and are outplayed but viewed as “promising”.
Despite steady rain in what became a record wet year,[21] East Fremantle kick the highest score in the WAFL since 1917, when Perth kicked 24.21 (165) against defunct Midland Junction.[22]
After Perth came back from three to four goals down all afternoon, Sol Lawn kicked the winning goal when he received a wild kick to open spaces with ninety seconds remaining.[26]
Perth’s thrashing of Claremont-Cottesloe is the second time in four games the new team concedes the highest score in the WAFL since 1917.[22]
The match between Perth and East Fremantle features a remarkable scoreline with quarter-time margins totalling only 4 points (1, 2, 0 and 1 points).
South Fremantle’s score remains their lowest in open-age competition since scoring only 1.8 (14) against Subiaco in 1918.[39]
Pat Rodriguez kicks ten goals for Subiaco despite wet conditions, the first time this had been accomplished for the club.
Subiaco continue their improved form following five consecutive losses to come back and defeat the Redlegs in a stirring match where they withstand the black and reds in the final minute.
East Fremantle take top position from the Royals with an excellent win despite some exceptionally bad misses from in front and close-in.
East Perth, with only seventeen men after half-time as “Digger” Thomas breaks his jaw, easily win a Grand Final preview.
Subiaco, who had looked out of the running a month ago, seize fourth position with their victory, leaving their last round match with West Perth to potentially decide both fourth position and the minor premiership.
Subiaco come back from a half-time deficit to repeat their last-round win.[80]
East Perth run away after a close first half to win very easily over their rivals of the time.[81]
This was the last WAFL Grand Final at the WACA, and saw East Perth’s most decisive triumph during its 1919 to 1927 dynasty. Bonny Campbell took his goalkicking record to 89.
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