Subiaco denied a Perth club bolstered by the return as coach of Jack Leckie – who had masterminded their pre-war successes including their only premiership to that point[1] – its first finals appearance since 1920 with a convincing last round win.
Claremont-Cottesloe won more games than in its first three seasons combined and a brilliant mid-season burst looked to assure it of a finals berth before a September fade-out – but the Great Depression and the financial power of several wealthy VFL clubs[2] prevented the Tigers sustaining this improvement.
[3] Following the death in a truck accident of champion coach Phil Matson, an upheaval off the field during the summer,[4] and the retirement of numerous top players of their 1920s dynasty such as Bonny Campbell, Val Sparrow (who took to coaching the club), “Paddy” Hebbard, Joe O'Meara and Jack Walsh,[5] former powerhouse East Perth suffered its first wooden spoon since 1913 and lost a club record fifteen consecutive matches.
[28] Claremont-Cottesloe entered the top four for the first time in their history with a skilful display of precise ball movement that leaves them the sole unbeaten team since the clubs had met each other once.
Subiaco’s second-half recovery to beat South Fremantle leaves the red and whites’ battle with Claremont-Cottesloe a must-win for the latter team to remain with a final chance owing to their last-round bye and poor percentage.