The 1981 WAFL season was the 97th season of the West Australian Football League in its various incarnations. The season opened on 11 April and concluded on 3 October with the 1981 WAFL Grand Final between Claremont and South Fremantle. It was the last WAFL season to begin in April and end in October; from 1982 the league shifted the schedule of the season forward by a week and in later years by another.
1981 WAFL season | |
---|---|
Teams | Eight |
Premiers | ‹See Tfd›Claremont 5th premiership |
Minor premiers | ‹See Tfd›Claremont 6th minor premiership |
Sandover Medallist | Stephen Michael (‹See Tfd›South Fremantle) |
Bernie Naylor Medallist | Warren Ralph (‹See Tfd›Claremont) |
Matches played | 88 |
Highest | 18,106 |
The 1981 WAFL season is famous because of its prodigious scoring, chiefly by premiers Claremont and runners-up South Fremantle. The Claremont trio of Warren Ralph, and brothers Jimmy and Phil Krakouer broke numerous records related to scoring in single matches and seasons. (It was to be the Krakouer brothers' last season at Claremont, before a move to North Melbourne, where they introduced an attacking style of football to the VFL.) During 1981, the 1979 record score by Swan Districts was broken twice, with the last round record by South Fremantle still remaining as the highest score in senior WAFL history. The average score of 123 points per team per game is the highest in WAFL history and as much as ten points higher than the VFL/AFL maximum during 1982, whilst tailender Perth set the unenviable record of conceding 157 points per match,[1] allowing under 100 only on a very wet day against East Perth.
Home-and-away season
editRound 1
editRound 1 | |||||
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Saturday, 11 April | ‹See Tfd›Swan Districts 21.21 (147) | def. | ‹See Tfd›West Perth 10.12 (72) | Bassendean Oval (crowd: 12467) | |
Saturday, 11 April | ‹See Tfd›East Perth 25.10 (160) | def. | ‹See Tfd›Perth 14.10 (94) | Perth Oval (crowd: 7626) | |
Saturday, 11 April | ‹See Tfd›Claremont 22.22 (154) | def. | ‹See Tfd›South Fremantle 18.18 (126) | Claremont Oval (crowd: 10105) | |
Saturday, 11 April | ‹See Tfd›East Fremantle 21.16 (142) | def. | ‹See Tfd›Subiaco 18.12 (120) | East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 7010) | |
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Round 2
editRound 2 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saturday, 18 April | ‹See Tfd›West Perth 23.16 (154) | def. | ‹See Tfd›East Perth 14.14 (98) | Leederville Oval (crowd: 13053) | |
Saturday, 18 April | ‹See Tfd›South Fremantle 22.21 (153) | def. | ‹See Tfd›East Fremantle 20.14 (134) | Fremantle Oval (crowd: 14827) | |
Monday, 20 April | ‹See Tfd›Perth 13.9 (87) | def. by | ‹See Tfd›Swan Districts 38.21 (249) | Lathlain Park (crowd: 10859) | [4] |
Monday, 20 April | ‹See Tfd›Subiaco 22.21 (153) | def. | ‹See Tfd›Claremont 18.15 (123) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 9167) | |
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Round 3
editRound 3 | |||||
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Saturday, 25 April | ‹See Tfd›Swan Districts 22.17 (149) | def. | ‹See Tfd›Subiaco 17.11 (113) | Bassendean Oval (crowd: 11070) | |
Saturday, 25 April | ‹See Tfd›East Perth 21.9 (135) | def. | ‹See Tfd›South Fremantle 17.14 (116) | Perth Oval (crowd: 10426) | |
Saturday, 25 April | ‹See Tfd›Claremont 29.17 (191) | def. | ‹See Tfd›Perth 12.23 (95) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 5997) | |
Saturday, 25 April | ‹See Tfd›East Fremantle 19.25 (139) | def. | ‹See Tfd›West Perth 8.17 (65) | East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 8923) | |
East Fremantle’s unusual policy of playing four roving forwards gives Old Easts an open forward line that completely outplays the Cardinals, as shown by a match total of ninety-three effective handballs to West Perth's fifty.[8] |
Round 4
editRound 4 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saturday, 2 May | ‹See Tfd›Subiaco 18.16 (124) | def. | ‹See Tfd›West Perth 17.18 (120) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 8451) | |
Saturday, 2 May | ‹See Tfd›Perth 17.13 (115) | def. by | ‹See Tfd›South Fremantle 26.28 (184) | Lathlain Park (crowd: 6053) | |
Saturday, 2 May | ‹See Tfd›Claremont 20.26 (146) | def. | ‹See Tfd›East Perth 17.11 (113) | Claremont Oval (crowd: 10347) | |
Saturday, 2 May | ‹See Tfd›Swan Districts 28.17 (185) | def. | ‹See Tfd›East Fremantle 12.6 (78) | Bassendean Oval (crowd: 12020) | |
Six third quarter goals by Demon flanker Doug Simms brings the match to life despite the Demons being thrashed for the fourth successive week and finishing with a percentage of 49.87.[9] |
Round 5
editRound 5 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saturday, 9 May | ‹See Tfd›South Fremantle 17.19 (121) | def. | ‹See Tfd›Swan Districts 16.16 (112) | Fremantle Oval (crowd: 16120) | |
Saturday, 9 May | ‹See Tfd›East Perth 23.23 (161) | def. | ‹See Tfd›Subiaco 10.11 (71) | Perth Oval (crowd: 8562) | |
Saturday, 9 May | ‹See Tfd›Claremont 26.24 (180) | def. | ‹See Tfd›West Perth 13.9 (87) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 8871) | |
Saturday, 9 May | ‹See Tfd›East Fremantle 20.21 (141) | def. | ‹See Tfd›Perth 13.20 (98) | East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 5023) | |
Round 6
editRound 6 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saturday, 16 May | ‹See Tfd›Subiaco 13.19 (97) | def. by | ‹See Tfd›South Fremantle 17.13 (115) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 7930) | |
Saturday, 16 May | ‹See Tfd›West Perth 18.15 (123) | def. | ‹See Tfd›Perth 17.9 (111) | Leederville Oval (crowd: 7006) | |
Saturday, 16 May | ‹See Tfd›Swan Districts 27.14 (176) | def. | ‹See Tfd›East Perth 17.13 (115) | Bassendean Oval (crowd: 14107) | |
Saturday, 16 May | ‹See Tfd›East Fremantle 14.12 (96) | def. by | ‹See Tfd›Claremont 19.12 (126) | East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 8851) | |
East Perth’s gamble to rely on bold attacking play fails as Swan Districts win the toss with a stiff easterly and later dominate the final quarter against this breeze.[10] |
Round 7
editRound 7 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saturday, 23 May | ‹See Tfd›Perth 22.16 (148) | def. | ‹See Tfd›Subiaco 17.12 (114) | Lathlain Park (crowd: 5018) | |
Saturday, 23 May | ‹See Tfd›Claremont 24.12 (156) | def. | ‹See Tfd›Swan Districts 16.14 (110) | Claremont Oval (crowd: 16154) | |
Saturday, 23 May | ‹See Tfd›East Perth 24.12 (156) | def. | ‹See Tfd›East Fremantle 17.10 (112) | Perth Oval (crowd: 9808) | |
Sunday, 24 May | ‹See Tfd›West Perth 17.14 (116) | def. by | ‹See Tfd›South Fremantle 18.18 (126) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 11180) | |
|
Round 8
editRound 8 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saturday, 30 May | ‹See Tfd›Swan Districts 31.14 (200) | def. | ‹See Tfd›Perth 10.13 (73) | Bassendean Oval (crowd: 5125) | |
Saturday, 30 May | ‹See Tfd›Claremont 25.11 (161) | def. | ‹See Tfd›Subiaco 19.12 (126) | Claremont Oval (crowd: 5552) | |
Monday, 1 June | ‹See Tfd›East Perth 20.18 (138) | def. by | ‹See Tfd›West Perth 22.10 (142) | Perth Oval (crowd: 13564) | |
Monday, 1 June | ‹See Tfd›East Fremantle 13.15 (93) | def. by | ‹See Tfd›South Fremantle 27.17 (179) | East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 15212) | |
Led by Les Fong in this 150th match, West Perth, despite a serious knee injury to John Duckworth, come back from 32 points down during the third quarter to win a thriller over their rivals.[14] |
Round 9
editRound 9 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saturday, 6 June | ‹See Tfd›West Perth 5.10 (40) | def. by | ‹See Tfd›Swan Districts 18.17 (125) | Leederville Oval (crowd: 7534) | |
Saturday, 6 June | ‹See Tfd›Perth 10.14 (74) | def. by | ‹See Tfd›East Perth 13.8 (86) | Lathlain Park (crowd: 4038) | |
Saturday, 6 June | ‹See Tfd›South Fremantle 16.19 (115) | def. | ‹See Tfd›Claremont 13.17 (95) | Fremantle Oval (crowd: 9920) | |
Saturday, 6 June | ‹See Tfd›Subiaco 14.13 (97) | def. | ‹See Tfd›East Fremantle 14.5 (89) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 4122) | |
|
Round 10
editRound 10 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saturday, 13 June | ‹See Tfd›Subiaco 15.7 (97) | def. by | ‹See Tfd›Swan Districts 14.18 (102) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 8236) | |
Saturday, 13 June | ‹See Tfd›South Fremantle 22.15 (147) | def. | ‹See Tfd›East Perth 11.11 (77) | Fremantle Oval (crowd: 11908) | |
Saturday, 13 June | ‹See Tfd›Perth 10.14 (74) | def. by | ‹See Tfd›Claremont 23.18 (156) | Lathlain Park (crowd: 5563) | |
Saturday, 13 June | ‹See Tfd›West Perth 37.17 (239) | def. | ‹See Tfd›East Fremantle 9.7 (61) | Leederville Oval (crowd: 7716) | |
|
Round 11
editRound 11 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saturday, 27 June | ‹See Tfd›West Perth 9.13 (67) | def. | ‹See Tfd›Subiaco 9.11 (65) | Leederville Oval (crowd: 7930) | |
Saturday, 27 June | ‹See Tfd›South Fremantle 30.18 (198) | def. | ‹See Tfd›Perth 10.13 (73) | Fremantle Oval (crowd: 4487) | |
Saturday, 27 June | ‹See Tfd›East Perth 13.14 (92) | def. by | ‹See Tfd›Claremont 21.17 (143) | Perth Oval (crowd: 7595) | |
Saturday, 27 June | ‹See Tfd›East Fremantle 10.13 (73) | def. by | ‹See Tfd›Swan Districts 13.13 (91) | East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 4452) | |
|
Round 12
editRound 12 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saturday, 4 July | ‹See Tfd›Swan Districts 19.20 (134) | def. | ‹See Tfd›South Fremantle 13.8 (86) | Bassendean Oval (crowd: 14600) | |
Saturday, 4 July | ‹See Tfd›Subiaco 26.14 (170) | def. | ‹See Tfd›East Perth 12.8 (80) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 7148) | |
Saturday, 4 July | ‹See Tfd›Claremont 30.19 (199) | def. | ‹See Tfd›West Perth 20.9 (129) | Claremont Oval (crowd: 8922) | |
Saturday, 4 July | ‹See Tfd›Perth 23.24 (162) | def. | ‹See Tfd›East Fremantle 21.9 (135) | Lathlain Park (crowd: 4091) | |
With young Laurie Keene kicking nine goals, Subiaco make a charge for fourth place against the struggling Royals, for whom no one does much in attack against Mitch Fussell’s speed.[23] |
Round 13
editRound 13 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saturday, 11 July | ‹See Tfd›South Fremantle 23.20 (158) | def. | ‹See Tfd›Subiaco 10.17 (77) | Fremantle Oval (crowd: 6375) | |
Saturday, 11 July | ‹See Tfd›West Perth 26.23 (179) | def. | ‹See Tfd›Perth 13.17 (95) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 3500) | [24] |
Saturday, 11 July | ‹See Tfd›East Perth 14.13 (97) | def. by | ‹See Tfd›Swan Districts 17.9 (111) | Perth Oval (crowd: 6500) | |
Saturday, 11 July | ‹See Tfd›Claremont 30.17 (197) | def. | ‹See Tfd›East Fremantle 14.11 (95) | Claremont Oval (crowd: 5183) | |
Subiaco lose full-back Fussell with a compound left leg fracture and this loss combined with their on-field loss to South Fremantle ends the Lions hopes of a finals berth.[25] |
Round 14
editRound 14 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saturday, 18 July | ‹See Tfd›West Perth 23.8 (146) | def. | ‹See Tfd›South Fremantle 19.19 (133) | Leederville Oval (crowd: 8205) | |
Saturday, 18 July | ‹See Tfd›Subiaco 22.17 (149) | def. | ‹See Tfd›Perth 14.8 (92) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 4289) | |
Saturday, 18 July | ‹See Tfd›Swan Districts 16.16 (112) | def. by | ‹See Tfd›Claremont 17.12 (114) | Bassendean Oval (crowd: 14019) | |
Saturday, 18 July | ‹See Tfd›East Fremantle 9.17 (71) | def. by | ‹See Tfd›East Perth 12.11 (83) | East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 4211) | |
|
Round 15
editRound 15 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saturday, 25 July | ‹See Tfd›West Perth 10.10 (70) | def. by | ‹See Tfd›Swan Districts 25.22 (172) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 12169) | |
Saturday, 25 July | ‹See Tfd›East Perth 20.16 (136) | def. | ‹See Tfd›Perth 17.8 (110) | Perth Oval (crowd: 4765) | |
Saturday, 25 July | ‹See Tfd›Claremont 23.22 (160) | def. | ‹See Tfd›South Fremantle 14.25 (109) | Claremont Oval (crowd: 12670) | |
Saturday, 25 July | ‹See Tfd›East Fremantle 14.9 (93) | def. by | ‹See Tfd›Subiaco 18.19 (127) | East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 3987) | |
West Perth suffer another big loss to Swan Districts and again fall out of the four. The Cardinals do not goal between the five-minute mark of the opening quarter and the twenty-minute mark of the second as Swans’ waves of speed move down the field to produce eleven of their own.[29] |
Round 16
editRound 16 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saturday, 1 August | ‹See Tfd›Perth 13.15 (93) | def. by | ‹See Tfd›Swan Districts 18.20 (128) | Lathlain Park (crowd: N/A) | |
Saturday, 1 August | ‹See Tfd›West Perth 15.9 (99) | def. by | ‹See Tfd›East Perth 25.10 (160) | Leederville Oval (crowd: 11980) | |
Saturday, 1 August | ‹See Tfd›Subiaco 12.10 (82) | def. by | ‹See Tfd›Claremont 28.13 (181) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 8348) | |
Saturday, 1 August | ‹See Tfd›South Fremantle 24.22 (166) | def. | ‹See Tfd›East Fremantle 19.5 (119) | Fremantle Oval (crowd: 6510) | |
An unfashionable but brilliant centreline and the move of John Hayes to full-forward where he kicks 7.1 (43) allows East Perth to beat finals rival West Perth and move a game plus percentage clear inside the four.[30] |
Round 17
editRound 17 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saturday, 8 August | ‹See Tfd›Swan Districts 30.17 (197) | def. | ‹See Tfd›Subiaco 10.14 (74) | Bassendean Oval (crowd: 9237) | |
Saturday, 8 August | ‹See Tfd›East Perth 20.11 (131) | def. | ‹See Tfd›South Fremantle 16.22 (118) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 11022) | |
Saturday, 8 August | ‹See Tfd›Claremont 39.20 (254) | def. | ‹See Tfd›Perth 12.9 (81) | Claremont Oval (crowd: 5820) | |
Saturday, 8 August | ‹See Tfd›East Fremantle 21.17 (143) | def. | ‹See Tfd›West Perth 16.11 (107) | East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 5175) | |
|
Round 18
editRound 18 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saturday, 15 August | ‹See Tfd›Subiaco 25.13 (163) | def. | ‹See Tfd›West Perth 9.15 (69) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 4858) | |
Saturday, 15 August | ‹See Tfd›Perth 18.13 (121) | def. | ‹See Tfd›South Fremantle 15.13 (103) | Lathlain Park (crowd: 4897) | |
Saturday, 15 August | ‹See Tfd›Claremont 23.24 (162) | def. | ‹See Tfd›East Perth 8.13 (61) | Claremont Oval (crowd: 10172) | |
Saturday, 15 August | ‹See Tfd›Swan Districts 24.24 (168) | def. | ‹See Tfd›East Fremantle 8.15 (63) | Bassendean Oval (crowd: 6123) | |
|
Round 19
editRound 19 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saturday, 22 August | ‹See Tfd›South Fremantle 21.22 (148) | def. | ‹See Tfd›Swan Districts 16.17 (113) | Fremantle Oval (crowd: 12142) | |
Saturday, 22 August | ‹See Tfd›East Perth 19.14 (128) | def. | ‹See Tfd›Subiaco 16.7 (103) | Perth Oval (crowd: 10220) | |
Saturday, 22 August | ‹See Tfd›West Perth 12.9 (81) | def. by | ‹See Tfd›Claremont 35.15 (225) | Leederville Oval (crowd: 7145) | |
Saturday, 22 August | ‹See Tfd›East Fremantle 20.19 (139) | def. | ‹See Tfd›Perth 17.18 (120) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 3218) | |
|
Round 20
editRound 20 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saturday, 29 August | ‹See Tfd›Subiaco 18.12 (120) | def. | ‹See Tfd›South Fremantle 10.23 (83) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 7814) | |
Saturday, 29 August | ‹See Tfd›West Perth 16.19 (115) | def. | ‹See Tfd›Perth 16.15 (111) | Leederville Oval (crowd: 4827) | |
Saturday, 29 August | ‹See Tfd›Swan Districts 18.14 (122) | def. | ‹See Tfd›East Perth 14.17 (101) | Bassendean Oval (crowd: 12728) | |
Saturday, 29 August | ‹See Tfd›East Fremantle 7.16 (58) | def. by | ‹See Tfd›Claremont 10.21 (81) | East Fremantle Oval (crowd: 7935) | |
East Fremantle kick only 1.9 (15) in dry (but windy) conditions after quarter-time, not goalling in the second or third quarters — a first in the WA(N)FL since Subiaco in Round 11 of 1976. Their wasteful short-kicking game allows the Tigers to recover from Old Easts’ ferocious tackling in the first quarter.[40] |
Round 21
editRound 21 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saturday, 5 September | ‹See Tfd›South Fremantle 40.18 (258) | def. | ‹See Tfd›West Perth 12.6 (78) | Fremantle Oval (crowd: 6157) | |
Saturday, 5 September | ‹See Tfd›Perth 18.16 (124) | def. by | ‹See Tfd›Subiaco 26.15 (171) | Lathlain Park (crowd: 4984) | |
Saturday, 5 September | ‹See Tfd›Claremont 22.16 (148) | def. | ‹See Tfd›Swan Districts 20.13 (133) | Claremont Oval (crowd: 18106) | |
Saturday, 5 September | ‹See Tfd›East Perth 17.15 (117) | def. | ‹See Tfd›East Fremantle 12.10 (82) | Perth Oval (crowd: 5660) | |
|
Ladder
edit
Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | D | PF | PA | PP | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ‹See Tfd›Claremont (P) | 21 | 19 | 2 | 0 | 3352 | 2128 | 157.5 | 76 |
2 | ‹See Tfd›Swan Districts | 21 | 16 | 5 | 0 | 3036 | 2019 | 150.4 | 64 |
3 | ‹See Tfd›South Fremantle | 21 | 13 | 8 | 0 | 2942 | 2400 | 122.6 | 52 |
4 | ‹See Tfd›East Perth | 21 | 11 | 10 | 0 | 2425 | 2523 | 96.1 | 44 |
5 | ‹See Tfd›Subiaco | 21 | 9 | 12 | 0 | 2413 | 2582 | 93.5 | 36 |
6 | ‹See Tfd›West Perth | 21 | 8 | 13 | 0 | 2298 | 2973 | 77.3 | 32 |
7 | ‹See Tfd›East Fremantle | 21 | 5 | 16 | 0 | 2156 | 2837 | 76.0 | 20 |
8 | ‹See Tfd›Perth | 21 | 3 | 18 | 0 | 2151 | 3311 | 65.0 | 12 |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.
(P) Premiers
Finals series
editFirst semi-final
editFirst semi-final | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saturday, 12 September | ‹See Tfd›South Fremantle 19.14 (128) | def. | ‹See Tfd›East Perth 13.10 (88) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 32,860) | |
Despite a heavy knock, Bruce Monteath kicks 6.2 (38) of 6.4 (40) to avoid a potential upset by the Royals. He had no recollection of equalling the WA(N)FL record of nine goals in a final.[43] |
Second semi-final
editSecond semi-final | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saturday, 19 September | ‹See Tfd›Claremont 14.24 (108) | def. | ‹See Tfd›Swan Districts 12.9 (81) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 33,478) | |
A wayward Claremont win with surprising ease owing to Swan Districts’ roving weakness in windy conditions combined with the overlooked power of Claremont’s defence.[44] |
Preliminary final
editPreliminary final | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sunday, 27 September | ‹See Tfd›Swan Districts 15.15 (105) | def. by | ‹See Tfd›South Fremantle 28.10 (178) | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 33,940) | |
South Fremantle gain the opportunity to defend their 1980 premiership with a brilliant twenty-goal second half after being sixteen points behind late in the second quarter. Rover Noel Carter rivals his last-round eleven-goal display and Monteath is again superb – this time at centre half-forward.[45] |
Grand Final
edit1981 WAFL Grand Final | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saturday, 3 October | ‹See Tfd›Claremont | def. | ‹See Tfd›South Fremantle | Subiaco Oval (crowd: 50,517) | |
4.5 (29) 7.7 (49) 11.13 (79) 16.15 (111) |
Q1 Q2 Q3 Final |
1.3 (9) 7.15 (57) 10.20 (80) 12.24 (96) |
Umpires: Ross Capes, Ron Powell Simpson Medal: Gary Shaw (‹See Tfd›Claremont) Maurice Rioli (‹See Tfd›South Fremantle) | ||
Malaxos 5, Blackwell 3, Ralph 3, Daniels, Jimmy Krakouer, Panizza, Shaw, Watson | Goals | Monteath 4, Carter 3, McKay, Hardie, Rioli, Randall, Vasoli | |||
Moss, Phil Krakouer, Shaw, Pearce, Morton, Blackwell, Malaxos, Harper | Best | Rioli, Barrett, Monteath, Carter, Vasoli, Michael | |||
References
edit- ^ "WAFL Footy Facts: High Average Against". Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
- ^ Casellas, Ken; ‘Claremont Plan Thwarts South’; The West Australian, 13 April 1981, p, 80
- ^ Sheterline, John; ‘Valli Sparks Revival’; The West Australian, 13 April 1981, p, 81
- ^ Young, Doug; ‘Swans Dump Perth by 162 Points’; The West Australian, 21 April 1981, pp. 111-112
- ^ Swan Districts: Most Scoring Shots
- ^ Perth: Biggest Losses
- ^ Christian, Geoff; ‘Subiaco Finish All Over Claremont’; The West Australian, 21 April 1981, pp. 111-112
- ^ Casellas, Ken; ‘Roving Sewell Foils Defence’; The West Australian, 27 April 1981, p. 68
- ^ Sheterline, John; ‘Doug Simms Stands Out in Attack’; The West Australian, 4 May 1981, p. 100
- ^ Sheterline, John; ‘East Perth Gamble Backfires’; The West Australian, 18 May 1981, p. 69
- ^ Casellas, Ken; ‘Perth Maintains Their Hoodoo’; The West Australian, 25 May 1981, p. 65
- ^ Perth Regional Office (009034) May 1981 rainfall
- ^ Christian, Geoff; ‘Michael Again the Master as South Win By 10 Points’; The West Australian, 25 May 1981, p. 72
- ^ Christian, Geoff; ‘West Perth Stage Superb Fightback’; The West Australian; 2 June 1981, pp. 95, 100
- ^ Casellas, Ken; ‘Holden Excels as Attacking Backman’; The West Australian, 8 June 1981, p. 81
- ^ Christian, Geoff; ‘South overcome Invading Troops’; The West Australian; 8 June 1981, p. 80
- ^ Sheterline, John; ‘Buckenara at His Best’; The West Australian, 15 June 1981, p. 72
- ^ Australian Football: West Perth Highest Scores
- ^ Australian Football: West Perth Biggest Wins
- ^ Christian, Geoff; ‘Adamson and Menaglio Shine’; The West Australian, 15 June 1981, p. 73
- ^ Casellas, Ken; ‘Monteath Move Pays Dividends’; The West Australian, 29 June 1981, p. 71
- ^ Christian, Geoff; ‘Left-Foot Side Kick Sinks Subiaco’; The West Australian, 29 June 1981, p. 70
- ^ Young, Doug; ‘Subiaco Are on the Move’; The West Australian, 6 July 1981, p. 84
- ^ Banks, Ron; ‘West Perth Get an Armchair Ride’; The West Australian, 13 June 1981, p. 97
- ^ Christian, Geoff; ‘Plenty Hangs on Big Clash at Bassendean’; The West Australian, 13 July 1981, pp. 96, 104
- ^ Christian Geoff; ‘Claremont Show True Grit’; The West Australian, 20 July 1981, p. 68
- ^ Young, Doug; ‘West Perth Were All Smiles at the Finish’; The West Australian, 20 July 1981, p. 69
- ^ Sheterline, John; ‘East F‘tle Lucky Not to Lose $2000’; The West Australian, 20 July 1981, p. 69
- ^ Young, Doug; ‘West Perth Rot Sets in Early’; The West Australian, 27 July 1981, p. 55
- ^ Christian, Geoff; ‘East Perth Centreline Sets Up Chances’; The West Australian, 3 August 1981, p. 64
- ^ Christian, Geoff; ‘Campbell, Michael Turn It on for Fans’; The West Australian, 10 August 1981, p. 77
- ^ Sheterline, John; ‘Blackaby shows His True Worth’; The West Australian, 10 August 1981, p. 77
- ^ Claremont: Highest Scores
- ^ a b Highest Scores
- ^ Christian, Geoff; ‘Krakouers Ignite the Flame’; The West Australian, 17 August 1981, p. 89
- ^ Young, Doug; ‘Subiaco Are Not a Spent Force’; The West Australian, 17 August 1981, p. 88
- ^ Young, Doug; ‘South’s Slick Start Stuns Swans’; The West Australian, 24 August 1981, p. 73
- ^ Christian, Geoff; ‘East Perth’s Skill Tells in the Crisis’; The West Australian, 24 August 1981, p. 73
- ^ "WAFL Footy Facts: Streaks". Archived from the original on 15 April 2014. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
- ^ Young, Doug; ‘Claremont Forced to Struggle’; The West Australian, 31 August 1981, p. 108
- ^ "WAFL Footy Facts: Largest Margins at Half-Time". Archived from the original on 4 November 2013. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
- ^ Christian, Geoff; ‘Claremont Show Great Character’; The West Australian, 7 September 1981, p. 97
- ^ Sheterline, John; ‘Monteath’s Goals Were Only a Blur’; The West Australian, 14 September 1981, p. 70
- ^ Christian, Geoff; ‘24 Carat Gold (and Blue): Too Many Guns in Claremont Arsenal’; The West Australian, 21 September 1981; pp. 75, 80
- ^ Christian, Geoff; ‘South Are on Target – Now for Claremont in the Grand Final’; The West Australian, 28 September 1981, pp. 76, 80