Subiaco's feat in reaching the premiership decider was itself a remarkable one, given that the Victorian Football League had deprived it of the majority of it star players: only six of its 1931 Grand Final team played in the corresponding match two seasons later,[1] and the Maroons had been last or second last for most of 1933 before entering the four at the last minute.
Old Easts led all season: despite losing a number of key players to the Sydney Carnival during July and August, the blue and whites won two of three games when depleted.
[2] Claremont-Cottesloe finished with its third consecutive wooden spoon, but defender “Sammy” Clarke became the first player to win the Sandover Medal in his debut season.
[18] The dominance of youngsters Smith and Bant in the ruck and the leadership of Stewart Daily allows Subiaco – last after the clubs had met each other once – to inflict East Fremantle’s first loss in a scrappy game.
Subiaco’s much greater pace allowed it to confortably beat the Royals in warm conditions with an excellent third quarter[75] Old Easts came back from a three-goal half-time deficit to reverse the 1932 second-semi result[76] although Benton holds George Doig to 2.3 (15).