[3] So well-equipped were the Royals that they did not suffer during the finals from the loss of best-and-fairest Campbell, ruckman Brentnall and Ron Frankish – instead fitting Northam defender Jack Leadbitter and Wesley rover Ernie England for their only games of the season and losing nothing in efficiency.
The red and whites in fact never led during the second half in any of their nineteen matches, and officials were so desperate that a meeting of former players was called mid-season to revive the club's on-field fortunes[4] – to no effect.
[7] The Tigers had to take the field in several games wearing East Perth guernseys, and suffered from the loss of key players like Robin Farmer, consequently falling to second-last on the ladder.
A burst of five goals in ten minutes places South Fremantle within four points of their local rivals, but they fail to go on and this proves their solitary chance of a win for the season.
In shocking conditions due to heavy rain[46] and strong winds, South Fremantle, devoid of talent in attack all season, for the first of three times kick the lowest WA(N)FL score since Subiaco’s 1.2 (8) against the Royals in 1920.
With a more efficient forward line, and a defence bolstered by Northam recruit Jack Leadbitter, East Perth win their twentieth consecutive match for the season.