The Sharks came off their 1984 Grand Final loss to win their first twelve on end, gain favourable comparisons with their unbeaten 1946 counterparts, and be quoted at odds of 25/1 to achieve a perfect season.
Perth, who had not played finals in any grade since the 1978 Grand Final,[5][6] embarked upon their first significant recruiting campaign for a decade, acquiring dissatisfied South Fremantle coach Mal Brown, former Claremont goalsneak Brett Farmer, and future mainstays Mark Watson, Wayne Ryder and Willie Dick[7] – but did not match expectations and rose just one position with one more win than in 1984.
[37] With Moss reappointed as coach for 1986 and 1987,[50] Claremont produce a fine win over Swan Districts to keep the pressure on West Perth in a scenario compared by the press with 1964 when the Tigers had won from fourth position.
[52] A superb defence and a brilliant display by future Essendon star Darren Bewick leads West Perth to overrun Claremont.
An injury-crippled West Perth outfit fails to break its Swan Districts hoodoo as Garry Sidebottom kicks nine goals and the Falcons are never closer than eleven points after the first few minutes.