Affected badly by the erratic availability of a number of AFL-listed players,[7] reigning premiers Claremont had their worst season since 1975 and equalled East Fremantle's decline in 1980 from premiers to only five wins, whilst Swan Districts, brilliant but erratic during 1996, began with nine wins in their first ten matches before losing eight of their next nine to miss the finals for the third successive season.
Following their shocker against Swans, Perth coach Wayne Blackwell punished his side with a five-hour Tuesday training session and they respond with an excellent win in slippery conditions.
[12] For the first time, a night match is played at Fremantle Oval, and the experiment is an instant success that later led to lights at most league venues.
[15] West Perth discarded ‘Joondalup’ and return to their long-established club name during the week before this round.
Swan Districts kick the second most accurate score in WAFL history, with Aboriginal forward Troy Ugle kicking twelve,[29] which despite the Thunder’s continued ineptitude remains a record by one player against them[30] Claremont, aided by the return of AFL discards Tony Delaney, Michael Gardiner and Anthony Jones, record a fine win over the eventual Grand finalists.