The West Australian Football League (WAFL) (pronounced "waffle") is the premier state based Australian rules football league in Western Australia. Formed: 1906 Joined WAFL: 1926 (as Claremont-Cottesloe) Home Ground: Claremont Oval Colours: Navy Blue and Gold Nickname: Tigers WAFL Premierships: 1938-39-40, 1964, 1981, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1996 Record Home Attendance: 18,268 v. ... Home ground: East Fremantle Oval, Moss Street, East Fremantle Formed: 1898 Colours: Royal Blue and White Nickname: Sharks (East Fremantle was originally known as either Easts, Blue and Whites or Blue and White Angels, before becoming known as as Old Easts to distinguish them from East Perth who was then... Home Ground: Leederville Oval (Based at Perth Oval between 1910 and 1999, The WACA Ground in 1988) Formed: 1902 (as Union Football Club) Colours: Royal Blue and Black Nickname: Royals WAFL Premierships: 1919-20-21-22-23, 1926-27, 1936, 1944, 1956, 1958-59, 1972, 1978, 2000-01-02 Record... Formed: 1997 Home Ground: Rushton Park, Mandurah Colours: Teal Green, Navy Blue and White. ... Categories: Stub | Western Australian Football League clubs ... The West Perth Falcons are an Australian Rules Football club in the West Australian Football League. ... Categories: Stub | Western Australian Football League clubs ... Categories: Stub | Western Australian Football League clubs ... Swan Districts are an Australian rules football club based in Bassendean a suburb east of Perth. ... Subiaco Oval, known colloquially as Subi, is the highest capacity sports stadium in Perth, Western Australia. ... Fremantle Oval. ... The Arena, Joondalup is a multi-use stadium located in Joondalup, Australia. ... East Fremantle Oval is a multi-use stadium located in East Fremantle, Australia. ... Steel Blue Oval, originally known as Bassendean Oval, is a sports stadium located in Perth, Australia. ... Eftel Oval is an Australian rules football oval, located in Lathlain, an inner-eastern suburb of Perth, Western Australia. ... Medibank Private Stadium, originally known as Leederville Oval, is an Australian rules football stadium located in Leederville, Australia. ... Claremont Oval is an Australian rules football stadium located in Perth, Australia. ... Rushton Park is a multi-use stadium located in Mandurah, Western Australia, Australia. ... Categories: Stub | Western Australian Football League clubs ... Formed: 1906 Joined WAFL: 1926 (as Claremont-Cottesloe) Home Ground: Claremont Oval Colours: Navy Blue and Gold Nickname: Tigers WAFL Premierships: 1938-39-40, 1964, 1981, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1996 Record Home Attendance: 18,268 v. ... Categories: Stub | Western Australian Football League clubs ... The Sandover Medal is an Australian Rules Football award, given annually since 1921 to the best and fairest player in the Western Australian Football League. ... Anthony Jones (born December 19, 1974) is an Australian rules footballer who played for the Fremantle Dockers between 1995 and 2003. ... Formed: 1906 Joined WAFL: 1926 (as Claremont-Cottesloe) Home Ground: Claremont Oval Colours: Navy Blue and Gold Nickname: Tigers WAFL Premierships: 1938-39-40, 1964, 1981, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1996 Record Home Attendance: 18,268 v. ... High marking is a key skill and spectacular attribute of Australian rules football Precise field and goal kicking using the oval shaped ball is the key skill in Australian rules football Australian rules football, also known as Australian football, Aussie rules, or simply football or footy is a code of... Slogan or Nickname: Wildflower State or the Golden State Other Australian states and territories Capital Perth Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Ken Michael Premier Alan Carpenter (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 15  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2005-06)  - Product ($m)  $107,910 (4th)  - Product per capita  $53,134/person...

It was formed in 1885 as the Western Australian Football Association (WAFA) and was later changed to the West Australian Football League (WAFL) in 1908. In 1931 it was renamed the Western Australian National Football League (WANFL) before reverting to WAFL on 6 February 1980. The introduction of the West Coast Eagles in 1987 saw the Victorian Football League (which was renamed the Australian Football League (AFL) in 1990) take precedence in the football scene in WA, and the WAFL became a second level, or feeder competition, to the AFL. In attempts to revive its profile and improve the marketing of the league, two alternatives were tried; WA State League in 1990 and Westar Rules from 1997 to 2000, before reverting to WAFL in 2001. West Coast Eagles Football Club is an Australian rules football club competing in the Australian Football League. ... This article is about the present day Victorian state football league. ... This article is about the national league in Australian rules football. ...

Consisting of a nine team, single division competition, the season is based around a 22 week "home-and-away" (regular) season starting in March through to August. The top four teams play off in a series of finals culminating in the Grand Final, always held at Subiaco Oval and usually on the third Sunday in September, generally the week before the AFL Grand Final. Subiaco Oval, known colloquially as Subi, is the highest capacity sports stadium in Perth, Western Australia. ... Part of the pre-match entertainment at the 2006 AFL Grand Final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. ...

Although payments are made to players, it is generally considered semi-professional. However professional players from the two Western Australian-based AFL clubs (West Coast Eagles and Fremantle FC) who are not selected for their AFL clubs each week instead play for allocated WAFL clubs. This article is about the national league in Australian rules football. ... West Coast Eagles Football Club is an Australian rules football club competing in the Australian Football League. ... Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed The Dockers and known informally as Freo, is one of 16 teams in the Australian Football League (AFL). ...

Current teams

The teams currently playing in the WAFL are:

Club	Nickname	Colours	Home Ground
Claremont Football Club	Tigers		Claremont Oval
East Fremantle Football Club	Sharks		East Fremantle Oval
East Perth Football Club	Royals		Medibank Private Stadium (formerly Leederville Oval)
Peel Thunder Football Club	Thunder		Rushton Park, Mandurah
Perth Football Club	Demons		Eftel Oval (formerly Lathlain Park)
West Perth Football Club	Falcons		The Arena, Joondalup
South Fremantle Football Club	Bulldogs		Fremantle Oval
Subiaco Football Club	Lions		Medibank Private Stadium (formerly Leederville Oval)
Swan Districts Football Club	Swans		Steel Blue Oval (formerly Bassendean Oval)

Formed: 1906 Joined WAFL: 1926 (as Claremont-Cottesloe) Home Ground: Claremont Oval Colours: Navy Blue and Gold Nickname: Tigers WAFL Premierships: 1938-39-40, 1964, 1981, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1996 Record Home Attendance: 18,268 v. ... Image File history File links ClaremontDesign. ... Claremont Oval is an Australian rules football stadium located in Perth, Australia. ... Home ground: East Fremantle Oval, Moss Street, East Fremantle Formed: 1898 Colours: Royal Blue and White Nickname: Sharks (East Fremantle was originally known as either Easts, Blue and Whites or Blue and White Angels, before becoming known as as Old Easts to distinguish them from East Perth who was then... Image File history File links KangaroosDesign. ... East Fremantle Oval is a multi-use stadium located in East Fremantle, Australia. ... Home Ground: Leederville Oval (Based at Perth Oval between 1910 and 1999, The WACA Ground in 1988) Formed: 1902 (as Union Football Club) Colours: Royal Blue and Black Nickname: Royals WAFL Premierships: 1919-20-21-22-23, 1926-27, 1936, 1944, 1956, 1958-59, 1972, 1978, 2000-01-02 Record... Medibank Private Stadium, originally known as Leederville Oval, is an Australian rules football stadium located in Leederville, Australia. ... Formed: 1997 Home Ground: Rushton Park, Mandurah Colours: Teal Green, Navy Blue and White. ... Rushton Park is a multi-use stadium located in Mandurah, Western Australia, Australia. ... Mandurah () is a city 50 minutes (72 km) south of Perth, Western Australia, with a population of approximately 75,000. ... Categories: Stub | Western Australian Football League clubs ... Eftel Oval is an Australian rules football oval, located in Lathlain, an inner-eastern suburb of Perth, Western Australia. ... The West Perth Falcons are an Australian Rules Football club in the West Australian Football League. ... The Arena, Joondalup is a multi-use stadium located in Joondalup, Australia. ... Categories: Stub | Western Australian Football League clubs ... Fremantle Oval. ... Categories: Stub | Western Australian Football League clubs ... Medibank Private Stadium, originally known as Leederville Oval, is an Australian rules football stadium located in Leederville, Australia. ... Swan Districts are an Australian rules football club based in Bassendean a suburb east of Perth. ... Image File history File links CollingwoodDesign. ... Steel Blue Oval, originally known as Bassendean Oval, is a sports stadium located in Perth, Australia. ...

Audience

Media

Television

The WAFL is broadcast on television nationally on ABC2 and locally on ABC Western. This article is about the Australian television channel. ... ABC Western is a statewide television network, airing the programs of the national broadcaster, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. ...

Radio

Radio stations which cover the competition include 720 ABC Perth, 882 6PR, 107.3 Heritage FM and 990 Information Radio. 720 ABC Perth is a ABC radio station in Perth, Western Australia. ... 6PR, known as 882 6PR, commenced broadcasting on October 14, 1931. ... 6HCR FM (or 107. ...

Attendance

Although WAFL now competes heavily with the 2 AFL national league clubs, the WAFL has the third highest attendance of any Australian rules football league and continues to publish attendance figures A aerial view of the Melbourne Cricket Ground during the 1992 Cricket World Cup final packed with 90,000 people. ...

A crowd of 21,287 attended the 2006 WAFL Grand Final between Subiaco and South Fremantle at Subiaco Oval.^[2] The all-time attendance record is 52,781 in 1979 for East Fremantle v South Fremantle at Subiaco Oval. Subiaco Oval, known colloquially as Subi, is the highest capacity sports stadium in Perth, Western Australia. ... Subiaco Oval, known colloquially as Subi, is the highest capacity sports stadium in Perth, Western Australia. ...

Patrons at the WAFL pay at the gates. The following are the most recent attendance figures.

History

See Also Australian rules football in Western Australia

West Australian State of Origin guernsey. ...

Pre 1900

Organised football in the Perth/Fremantle region of Western Australia dates back to 1881. Back then though rugby union was the dominant football code, with only one senior club, "Unions", playing Australian Rules. Location of Perth within Australia This article is about the metropolitan area of Perth, Western Australia. ... Fremantle redirects here. ... For other uses, see Rugby (disambiguation). ...

In 1883 a second club, "Swans", emerged, but Australian Rules' growth remained much subdued compared to that of Victoria and South Australia. VIC redirects here. ... For the song, see South Australia (song). ...

However in those days many young men of Perth's wealthier families were educated in Adelaide, the capital of South Australia. For other uses, see Adelaide (disambiguation). ... For the song, see South Australia (song). ...

On returning home from there they naturally wished to play the sport they'd grown up with and no doubt exerted some influence on their less affluent peers as to such. Coincidentally, the press at the time reported there was a growing dissatisfaction with rugby as a spectacle.

During the 1880s, the discoveries of gold, firstly in the Kimberley, Pilbara and Murchison regions, led to a dramatic increase in WA's population, including many players and supporters of Australian Rules from the eastern colonies. // Development and commercial production of electric lighting Development and commercial production of gasoline-powered automobile by Karl Benz, Gottlieb Daimler and Maybach First commercial production and sales of phonographs and phonograph recordings. ... The Kimberley is one of the nine regions of Western Australia, consisting of the local government areas of Broome, Derby-West Kimberley, Halls Creek and Wyndham-East Kimberley. ... The Pilbara is one of the nine regions of Western Australia. ... Murchison region of Western Australia is a large dynamic region in the central part of Western Australia, at times including the local government area of Yalgoo, Cue, Mount Magnet, Murchison and Meekatharra. ...

In 1885 one of the leading rugby clubs, Fremantle, decided to change to Australian Rules. It was quickly joined by three other clubs - "Rovers", "Victorians", and a team of schoolboys from Perth High. The schoolboy side lasted just two matches, but the three other sides went on to contest what in retrospect was viewed as the first ever official Western Australian Football Association (WAFA) premiership, won by Rovers. And virtually overnight Australian Rules football became the dominant code for the spectator as well.

However progress of Australian Rules in Western Australia still lagged behind the big football cities of Melbourne, Adelaide and Geelong and is evidenced by the unstable nature of the clubs that participated in the early years.

In 1886 a new club Fremantle based club Unions joined. Year 1886 (MDCCCLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

In 1887 Fremantle left the WAFA and the "West Australian Football Club" joined but they would only play two seasons before they disappeared. Year 1887 (MDCCCLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

In 1890 Unions would rename themselves Fremantle as those involved in the game saw the need to identify themselves with the region they were located in. Year 1890 (MDCCCXC) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar). ...

1891 Saw two new clubs arrive, Centrals and East Perth, but they would be gone after one and two seasons respectively. Year 1891 (MDCCCXCI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

1898 saw the entry of East Fremantle to the league. Year 1898 (MDCCCXCVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ...

1899 would be the last season Fremantle would take part. Despite Unions/Fremantle being the most dominant club in the WAFA up to this point winning the competition 10 times in its 13 years of existence, problems with debt saw the club disappear and some people involved with the old entity formed South Fremantle Football Club in its place. Despite the fact that many involved with Fremantle moved onto South Fremantle the new club is not seen as a continuation of the old and did not lay claim to its proud records to that date. Year 1899 (MDCCCXCIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday [1] of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Categories: Stub | Western Australian Football League clubs ...

1899 was also the last time Rovers would take part. The move to regionalisation which saw Unions take on the old Fremantle's name and colours made it difficult for this club that didn't represent a particular area to attract players. They folded and were immediately replaced by Perth Football Club who were promoted from the Perth First Rate Association. Categories: Stub | Western Australian Football League clubs ...

1900 to World War I

Major gold discoveries at Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie in 1892, coupled with a major international economic depression, caused immigration from the eastern colonies to accelerate not only to the Goldfields but also onto Perth. These migrants came from a climate where Australian Rules football was more popular and included a large number of footballers including some celebrated players. Coolgardie (30°57′ S 121°09′ E) is a small town in the Australian state of Western Australia, 558 km east of the state capital, Perth. ... Kalgoorlie may refer to the following geographically related places: Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, a city and council in Western Australia; Division of Kalgoorlie, a federal division of the Australian House of Representatives located around the geographical area; Electoral district of Kalgoorlie, an electoral district of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly. ...

The Goldfields competition (later known as the Goldfields Football League) was hence comparable in status and standard to the Perth competition for many years. (This was shown by the fact that it had a separate seat on the Australian National Football Council until 1919.) The Goldfields Football League is a regional Australian football league based in the Kalgoorlie region, Western Australia. ... A ruck contest in after the centre bounce. ...

The higher standard of play that followed helped to increase the game's popularity and increased the professionalism of the WAFA which in turn saw a more stable look come to the league which to this point saw teams frequently coming and going, not to mention problems with frequent crowd violence.

By 1901, the WAFA had grown to have six teams. Up to this point, five sides at most had been in the competition, and this number had invariably changed from year to year, as clubs came and went. And by 1906 there were eight teams — being West Perth, East Perth, East Fremantle, South Fremantle, North Fremantle, Subiaco, Perth and Midland Junction. The West Perth Falcons are an Australian Rules Football club in the West Australian Football League. ... Home Ground: Leederville Oval (Based at Perth Oval between 1910 and 1999, The WACA Ground in 1988) Formed: 1902 (as Union Football Club) Colours: Royal Blue and Black Nickname: Royals WAFL Premierships: 1919-20-21-22-23, 1926-27, 1936, 1944, 1956, 1958-59, 1972, 1978, 2000-01-02 Record... Home ground: East Fremantle Oval, Moss Street, East Fremantle Formed: 1898 Colours: Royal Blue and White Nickname: Sharks (East Fremantle was originally known as either Easts, Blue and Whites or Blue and White Angels, before becoming known as as Old Easts to distinguish them from East Perth who was then... Categories: Stub | Western Australian Football League clubs ... Categories: Stub | Western Australian Football League clubs ... Categories: Stub | Western Australian Football League clubs ...

Recent arrivals East Fremantle became the dominant force in the league winning 11 premierships from 1900 to 1918.

In 1908 the WAFA was renamed the West Australian Football League (WAFL).

A State Premiership was awarded to the winner of a contest played between the Goldfields premiers and the WAFL (WAFA to 1908) premiers. The contest was played intermittently between 1903 and 1924 and the winning team accorded the title Champions of Western Australia.^[8]

Unlike many other sporting competitions, the WAFL didn't go into recess during World War I, although two teams — North Fremantle and Midland Junction — were "casualties" of the war, competing for the last time in 1915 and 1917 respectively. “The Great War ” redirects here. ...

Between the Wars

1919 saw East Perth win their first premiership, and they would go on to win 5 in a row - a national record until Port Adelaide managed 6 many years later.

In 1921, the WAFL followed the idea of the SANFL's Magarey Medal and introduced the Sandover Medal, for the fairest and best player over a season, as voted by the field umpires. The medal has been awarded annually ever since. The South Australian National Football League (SANFL) is the premier league and governing body for the sport of Australian rules football in the state of South Australia. ... The Magarey Medal is an Australian Rules Football award, given annually since 1897 to the best and fairest player in the South Australian National Football League as adjudged by the field umpires. ... The Sandover Medal is an Australian Rules Football award, given annually since 1921 to the best and fairest player in the Western Australian Football League. ...

Claremont/Cottesloe entered the league in 1926, bringing the number of teams back to seven. They would rename the club to simply Claremont a few years later. Formed: 1906 Joined WAFL: 1926 (as Claremont-Cottesloe) Home Ground: Claremont Oval Colours: Navy Blue and Gold Nickname: Tigers WAFL Premierships: 1938-39-40, 1964, 1981, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1996 Record Home Attendance: 18,268 v. ...

In 1932, the WAFL was renamed the Western Australian National Football League (WANFL) - the "national" concept in the name being adopted by the SANFL and a couple of other leagues a few years earlier.

Swan Districts entered the league in 1934. The eight competing sides at this point still remain today and are often referred to as the "traditional eight clubs" as opposed to Peel who would join much later on. Swan Districts are an Australian rules football club based in Bassendean a suburb east of Perth. ...

Because of World War Two, the league only ran an "under age" competition between 1942-44. However, the three premierships won during this time are given equal status to any other, in official records (East Perth however don't give their 1944 premiership win equal status). All clubs competed, with the exception of Swan Districts who could not form a team in 1942, although they were back in 1943. The Sandover Medal was also presented each year.

The 50s, 60s and 70s

Statue of the famous mark by South Fremantle's John Gerovich over East Fremantle's Ray French at the 1956 WAFL preliminary final.

Western Australian football was particularly strong during the years immediately following World War Two. The state side enjoyed unparalleled success, downing Victoria in each of the first three post war meetings as well as enjoying the better of their encounters with South Australia.

South Fremantle were without dispute one of the strongest teams in Australia during much of the period 1947 to 1954, not only winning 6 premierships but also defeating many touring sides from Victoria and South Australia.

From 1956 to 1961 it would be East Perth's turn to dominate the WAFL with them featuring in all 6 Grand Finals of this period and coming out with 3 victories. Their team featured Graham Farmer who would leave at the end of the '61 season and carve out a reputation in the VFL as one of the game's greatest ever players. For the freeway, see Graham Farmer Freeway. ...

The 1960s saw crowds get bigger and bigger, as WAFL football captured the hearts and minds of the WA public like never before, and in the 1970s and early 80s it was easily the biggest show in town.

However, during this period more and more star WAFL players were looking to head to the Victorian Football League (VFL), enticed by the bigger money and the fact that it was more and more gaining a reputation as the "big" league. This article is about the national league in Australian rules football. ...

This is perhaps best evidenced in that Victoria (i.e. the VFL representative team) had by far the best record in interstate games for a long time. But in 1977, when the first proper State of Origin match was played, it saw Western Australia inflict its biggest defeat on a Victorian team. State of Origin is the name used in Australia for sporting events or other competitions which involve teams from different States or Territories. ...

East Perth's 1961 loss to Swan Districts would see that side's first ever premiership. Captain/coached by Haydn Bunton Jr, they became the team of the early 60's when they followed it up in 1962 and '63 to make it three in a row.

The dominating sides of the late 60's and early 70's were the three Perth teams. Perth won 3 in a row from 1966-68, and West Perth won in 1969 and 1971 captain/coached by Graham Farmer who had returned from over east. All 5 of these grand final wins came at the expense of East Perth who earned the bridesmaid tag in this era. However East Perth finally won through in the 1972 grand final.

After 1972 the competition was more evenly matched with every team winning a grand final over the next 10 years.

At this time crowds were as big as they ever were. The 1979 grand final was played before a record crowd of 52,781 and saw East Fremantle defeat arch rivals South Fremantle.

The 1980s

In 1980, the WANFL dropped the "N" and the "ern" and reverted to being called the WAFL.

At the end of the 1980 season East Perth put in an application to join the VFL. The offer was withdrawn.

Crowds had been buoyed by State of Origin football that saw Western Australia's best players return home briefly, but this effect was short lived. Interest in the WAFL began a slow decline, as it became increasingly obvious that even larger numbers of the WAFL's best players were going to head east.

By 1983 the management of the WAFL itself acknowledged that economic crisis loomed. They approached the state government for financial aid, and were rewarded with a grant of $1.9 million. In response, the government wanted a full scale investigation into the likely future financial demands of football.

This led to the formation of the West Australian Football Commission who functioned independently of the WAFL.

In 1986 the decision had been made that the WAFL needed to become involved in helping the VFL, where several clubs were also struggling financially, to become national.

Against a backdrop in which several WAFL clubs were looking to enter the VFL or in which a struggling Victorian club may be relocated to Perth, the WAFL decided to hastily form a new club to enter the VFL such that they could retain control of a West Australian presence in the situation.

Meanwhile in the league Swan Districts won another hat-trick of premierships from 1982-84. East Fremantle, the WAFL's most successful club, won the centenary premiership in 1985 and in 1986 Subiaco had the honour to be the last club to win the premiership prior to Western Australia's participation in the national league.

Post VFL/AFL in WA

The West Coast Eagles were formed and competed in the VFL for the first time in 1987 (the VFL was renamed the AFL in 1990). West Coast Eagles Football Club is an Australian rules football club competing in the Australian Football League. ... This article is about the national league in Australian rules football. ...

With many of Western Australia's best players now competing in a team that represented Western Australia on a national scale, it was suddenly apparent that the WAFL was not the prime focus of the football public as crowds and media attention centred on the national league.

In 1990 the league was renamed the Western Australian State Football League, but it had reverted to WAFL by 1991.

Another locally-based AFL team, the Fremantle Football Club were formed in 1994, and this cemented the position of WAFL as a second-class competition. (Indeed, the 1991 introduction of the Adelaide Crows to the VFL/AFL meant that the SANFL was experiencing a similar decline to the WAFL.) Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed The Dockers and known informally as Freo, is one of 16 teams in the Australian Football League (AFL). ... The Adelaide Football Club, nicknamed the Crows, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League, based in Adelaide, South Australia. ... This article is about the national league in Australian rules football. ... The South Australian National Football League (SANFL) is the premier league and governing body for the sport of Australian rules football in the state of South Australia. ...

WAFL clubs have struggled ever since with their sudden demise from being technically equal to any VFL club, to feeder club status. However, they have enjoyed some benefits, such as the funds flowing from the WA-based AFL teams and the influx of talented players from other states, attempting to make a name for themselves.

In 1997, Peel Thunder — somewhat controversially — became the ninth WAFL club. Throughout their brief history, they have struggled to compete with the traditional eight clubs, which are generally opposed to their presence. This is partly because having an odd number of teams forces one team to have a bye each week. Formed: 1997 Home Ground: Rushton Park, Mandurah Colours: Teal Green, Navy Blue and White. ...

Also in 1997, the WAFL was renamed Westar Rules, in an attempt to revamp the league's image. The name again reverted to WAFL in 2001.

Recent years have seen the WAFL stabilise itself as a league a step down from the AFL. Having the best football players all playing in the AFL has lessened the standard of play; however this has recovered somewhat, with retired or delisted AFL players returning and young players coming through. It is becoming fairly common, however, for young players to be drafted as 17 or 18 year olds directly to the AFL and not play in the WAFL football for more than a few games. This article is about the national league in Australian rules football. ...

Attendances have recovered slightly and in 2004, the league posted a total attendance of 202,797 ^[9]. The total attendance, including AFL games was a record 1,030,000. The 2005 WAFL Grand Final between South Fremantle and Claremont attracted 22,570 to Subiaco Oval. The 2006 WAFL Grand Final between Subiaco and South Fremantle attracted 21,287^[10] to Subiacto Oval. Subiaco Oval, known colloquially as Subi, is the highest capacity sports stadium in Perth, Western Australia. ...

Future & Expansion

While the WAFL has not been as keen as the SANFL to include teams from other states, there have been proposals to include teams from regions unwanted by the AFL, and to serve as a second-tier national league.

The most pushed for expansion team from Darwin, Northern Territory, formed as a representative club of the Northern Territory Football League.^[11] Port Darwin redirects here. ... The NTFL is a 7 team Australian rules football semi-professional league operating in Darwin in the Northern Territory. ...

West Australian Football Hall of Fame

On March 12, 2004, a West Australian Football Hall of Fame was formed. On that day a total of 81 former players, coaches, umpires, administrators and media representatives were inducted. Further to that eight of these inductees were given the status of "Legend".

While the Hall of Fame exists to honour "West Australian football", a majority of the 81 inaugural members were inducted due to their time in, or their service to the WAFL. Most, if not all, future inductees will most likely be those of Western Australian origin who excel in the AFL.

The original legends (in alphabetical order):

• Barry Cable
• George Doig
• Graham Farmer
• Merv McIntosh
• George Moloney
• John Todd
• William 'Nipper' Truscott
• Bill Walker

In March 2005 more inductees were added, and two of the original inductees were elevated to legend status. They were: Barry Cable (born 22 September 1943) is a former Australian rules footballer in the (then) West Australian National Football League (WANFL) and Victorian Football League (VFL). ... George Doig was a full forward for the East Fremantle Football Club from 1933 to 1945. ... For the freeway, see Graham Farmer Freeway. ... Merv McIntosh (born 25 November 1922) is a former Australian rules footballer in the (then) West Australian National Football League (WANFL). ... George Specka Moloney (born 7 August 1909; died 5 January 1983) was an Australian rules footballer in the West Australian Football League and the (then) Victorian Football League. ... John Todd (born May 21, 1938) is a former Australian rules footballer and coach. ... Bill Walker (born 23 February 1942) was an Australian rules footballer in the West Australian Football League (WAFL). ...

• Jack Sheedy
• Steve Marsh

Jack Sheedy (born 28 September 1926) was an Australian rules footballer in the (then) West Australian National Football League (WANFL). ... Steve Marsh is an AFL and WAFL Hall of Fame inductee, was born in Kalgoorlie. ...

Awards

Major

• List of West Australian Football League premiers
• Sandover Medal - fairest and best player in the league
• Bernie Naylor Medal - leading goalkicker
• JJ Leonard Medal - best coach

The Sandover Medal is an Australian Rules Football award, given annually since 1921 to the best and fairest player in the Western Australian Football League. ...

Other

• Rodriguez Shield - best club, after combining league, reserve and colts matches.
• Prendergast Medal - fairest and best player in the reserves
• Jack Clarke Medal - fairest and best player in the colts

See also

• Category:Western Australian Football League clubs
• Category:WAFL players
• List of Australian rules football leagues in Australia

This is a list of Australian rules football leagues in Australia. ...

References

1. ^ http://www.wafootball.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=0&Itemid=19
2. ^ Australian Stadiums :: WAFL GF: Subi v S.Freo
3. ^ http://www.wafootball.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&Itemid=19&task=view&id=961
4. ^ Australian Stadiums :: WAFL GF: Claremont v Subiaco
5. ^ http://www.wafootball.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&Itemid=19&task=view&id=961
6. ^ News - WAFL
7. ^ http://www.austadiums.com/sport/comp.php?sid=27K
8. ^ WA State Premierships. Fight On East Perth. Retrieved on 2006-08-31.
9. ^ News - WAFL
10. ^ Australian Stadiums :: WAFL GF: Subi v S.Freo
11. ^ AFL Central Australia opposes Darwin-based team from abc.net.au

Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 243rd day of the year (244th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Official website
• Full Points Footy
• WAFL Footy News
• Video of 2006 WAFL Highlights from the WAFL
• Footynews Unofficial WAFL news and results