1944 WANFL season

East Perth’s mammoth win sets numerous records:

1. The biggest winning margin in WA(N)FL history, beating North Fremantle’s 164-point win over Subiaco from 1902.^[12]
2. The highest score in WANFL history, beating Claremont’s 33.22 (220) against Swan Districts in 1940.^[13]
3. The most points in the first quarter of a WANFL match – a record beaten later in the season.^[14]
4. South Fremantle become the first WA(N)FL team to lose three consecutive games by over 100 points – an ignominy they would suffer twice further this season but which no other club would equal until 1958.^[15]
5. Alan Watts kicked sixteen goals for East Perth, which remains a record for the Royals in any match,^[16] and forward pocket Harry Outridge and “Todge” Campbell kicked eight apiece.

Following upon their record score, East Perth are nearly brought to earth by West Perth, with only a late goal from Outridge ensuring a victory that would prove their closest shave for the season.

Alan Watts kicks eleven goals straight to comfortably win a match where Swans matched their powerful rivals in general play.

A burst of five goals in ten minutes places South Fremantle within four points of their local rivals, but they fail to go on and this proves their solitary chance of a win for the season.

• Despite the absence of key rovers David Muir and Frank Evans, Perth kick 7.4 (46) against the powerful Royal defence, but with Campbell kicking eight goals are gradually overwhelmed.
• Subiaco’s score, as South Fremantle return to their exceptionally weak opening-round form, was their highest in the WA(N)FL until 1984.^[33] Ernie Tonkinson kicked eleven goals and Hughes eight.

East Perth again recover from being jumped by the opponent to win, despite a brilliant eight-goal effort from Ernie Tonkinson.

In shocking conditions due to heavy rain^[46] and strong winds, South Fremantle, devoid of talent in attack all season, for the first of three times kick the lowest WA(N)FL score since Subiaco’s 1.2 (8) against the Royals in 1920.^[47]

For the second consecutive week South Fremantle kick the lowest WA(N)FL score since 1920,^[47] and as the lowest score against Swan Districts it was unequalled until Claremont kicked 1.7 (13) in 1996.^[52]

• Swan Districts draw within one point of the unbeaten Royals with a rugged burst led by centreman Davies, before a goal with half a minute remaining keeps the Royals unbeaten.
• South Fremantle, for the second occasion, suffer three consecutive 100-point or more losses, as early resistance by their defence evaporated after quarter-time.^[15]

East Perth’s eleventh consecutive win would prove the last match at Claremont Oval until the opening round of 1948,^[1] owing to the Claremont Oval fire the following Friday.^[5]

A fine comeback in the last quarter after Subiaco take the last in third gives East Perth the longest winning sequence to this point in WA(N)FL history.^[69]

For the third time in eight matches, South Fremantle kick the lowest score since 1920.^[47] In the process, the red and whites become the first WA(N)FL team since East Perth themselves against West Perth in 1913 to fail to score in the first half, and for the third time in 1944 lose three successive matches by over a hundred points.^[15]

Perth’s win against Swan Districts ensures their first finals appearance since 1934.

Despite starting the final quarter four points ahead and scoring only 0.7 (7), East Fremantle hold off West Perth and secure the double chance in the finals.

Despite the absence of four key players, East Perth restrict Old Easts to 1.1 (7) after half-time to go through the home-and-away season undefeated, and Alan Watts with eight majors beats “Bonny” Campbell’s 1926 record of eighty-nine goals.

West Perth’s early inaccuracy keeps the Redlegs in a match that culminates in a thrilling struggle where the lead changes several times in the last few minutes before finishing in a tie.

A brilliant last quarter into the wind, whereby the Cardinals are held scoreless, gives Perth a comfortable win in a third successive battle with West Perth.

With a more efficient forward line, and a defence bolstered by Northam recruit Jack Leadbitter, East Perth win their twentieth consecutive match for the season.

Prime Minister John Curtin, a devoted football fan, is part of what is viewed as the largest crowd of the season.

East Perth complete a flawless season with a convincing win driven by overwhelming ruck superiority and polished flawed play that contrasts with East Fremantle’s 2.13 (25) – including ten consecutive behinds – in the first half.