1973 WANFL season

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]

• Swan Districts became the first club to win a match with two fewer goals since East Perth did so in the last round of 1961 against South Fremantle.^[10]
• The Swans hold West Perth out into a five-goal breeze after the Cardinals kick a goal in the opening minute, kicking 0.4 (4) to 0.3 (3) with stars Walker, Nowotny and Ron Boucher dominating.^[11]

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]

• Barry Cable has an astonishing 44 kicks and 11 handballs as Perth end their worst losing run since 1945 over the top-placed reigning premiers.^[13]
• West Perth full-forward Phil Smith kicks 6.2 in heavy rain to win the match on his own and deliver “the final nail in Claremont's coffin”.^[14]

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]

• Perth were the first team goalless at half-time since East Fremantle kicked only 0.2 (2) in three quarters on the same weekend six years before. The Demons ultimately became the last team to win after being goalless at half-time until East Perth did so in 2002, and one of only four since 1921.^[a]
• The aggregate score remains the lowest for Bassendean Oval^[8] and the second-lowest for any Swan Districts match.^[16] A lower aggregate score was not seen until Round 18, 1998.

• Perth were goalless at half-time for the second time in three weeks, the closest together successive occurrences by a team since Claremont in 1945 were goalless at half-time twice in consecutive matches against Perth^[17] and East Fremantle.^[18]
• Two posters and the absence of forward mainstay Murray Couper allow Subiaco to hold on in the rain as Perth press hard at the close.^[19]

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]

• Perth move from the bottom in a win that flatters the Cardinals - and this despite Cable suffering from asthma.^[20]
• Swan Districts, despite scoring only 1.0 (6) to 6.4 (40) in the last quarter, end a run of nine defeats, with future Fitzroy forward star Bob Beecroft moved from the ruck for the first time to great effect despite kicking only three behinds.^[21]

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.