1947 WANFL season

The 1947 WANFL season was the 63rd season of senior football in Perth, Western Australia. With the background of war completely removed, 1947 saw the WANFL begin a golden age of growth^[1] dominated by the two Fremantle clubs, West Perth and Perth, who made the league for the following nine seasons a de facto hierarchy^[2] led by South Fremantle and West Perth, who respectively won 128 and 121 of their 159 home-and-away matches between 1947 and 1954.^[3] Zones with vastly different populations^[4] and large unzoned areas^{[note 1]} allowed these more successful and financially secure clubs to monopolise the leading player talent.

1947 WAFL season
Teams	8
Premiers	South Fremantle 3rd premiership
Minor premiers	South Fremantle 3rd minor premiership
Sandover Medallist	Clive Lewington (South Fremantle)
Bernie Naylor Medallist	Bernie Naylor (South Fremantle)
Matches played	80
← 1946 1948 →

The red and whites won their first premiership for thirty seasons – ironically under the leadership of former Cardinal captain-coach Ross Hutchinson who transferred for this season. Perth, in the doldrums with only three finals appearances and three seasons with more wins than losses since 1918, began thirty years of prominence during which they won six premierships. In contrast, Subiaco, after two promising postwar seasons were beset by poor recruiting and conflicts over coaching,^[5] so that they lost their first eleven games and fell from third to last. The Maroons were not to again win more than five matches in a season until 1956, nor finish above any rival except Swan Districts until 1957. During the nine seasons beginning with this year Subiaco would win just 32 games out of 179, or a winning rate of 17.88 percent. East Fremantle, after their record undefeated season in 1946, fell to fourth place. Old Easts toured Sydney and Canberra in August during the Carnival, defeating a Canberra team by 77 points at Manuka Oval on 9 August,^[6] and a New South Wales state team by 23 points on 10 August.^[7]

For the first time the WANFL allowed payments to players in the form of a "Provident Fund" accessed after each player's retirement and totalling 15 shillings per match – increased to 30 shillings in 1956.^[8]

Home-and-away season

Round 1

	Round 1
Saturday, 26 April (2:45 pm)	Swan Districts 13.12 (90)	def. by	South Fremantle 13.13 (91)	Bassendean Oval (crowd: 2225)	[9]
Saturday, 26 April (2:45 pm)	West Perth 16.14 (110)	def.	East Perth 7.14 (56)	Leederville Oval (crowd: 5647)	[10]
Saturday, 26 April (2:45 pm)	Claremont 12.11 (83)	def.	Subiaco 7.13 (55)	Subiaco Oval (crowd: 2684)	[11]
Saturday, 26 April (2:45 pm)	East Fremantle 12.16 (88)	def.	Perth 9.13 (67)	Fremantle Oval (crowd: 3394)	[12]

Round 2 (Labour Day)

	Round 2
Saturday, 3 May (2:45 pm)	South Fremantle 21.17 (143)	def.	West Perth 5.12 (42)	Fremantle Oval (crowd: 6134)	[13]
Saturday, 3 May (2:45 pm)	East Perth 12.16 (88)	def.	Swan Districts 6.6 (42)	Perth Oval (crowd: 3948)	[14]
Saturday, 3 May (2:45 pm)	Claremont 8.7 (55)	def. by	Perth 12.11 (83)	Subiaco Oval (crowd: 3231)	[15]
Monday, 5 May (2:45 pm)	Subiaco 8.9 (57)	def. by	East Fremantle 15.5 (95)	Subiaco Oval (crowd: 5794)	[16]
South Fremantle’s brilliant win over West Perth stakes their claim to challenge Old Easts and remained their biggest victory over the Cardinals until 1979.[17]

Round 3

	Round 3
Saturday, 10 May (2:45 pm)	Swan Districts 13.11 (89)	def. by	West Perth 14.17 (101)	Bassendean Oval (crowd: 2967)	[18]
Saturday, 10 May (2:45 pm)	South Fremantle 16.20 (116)	def.	East Perth 10.21 (81)	Fremantle Oval (crowd: 5247)	[19]
Saturday, 10 May (2:45 pm)	Perth 17.16 (118)	def.	Subiaco 9.5 (59)	WACA (crowd: 3607)	[20]
Saturday, 10 May (2:45 pm)	Claremont 9.13 (67)	def. by	East Fremantle 11.14 (80)	Subiaco Oval (crowd: 2755)	[21]

Round 4

	Round 4
Saturday, 17 May (2:45 pm)	Subiaco 9.6 (60)	def. by	West Perth 10.20 (80)	Subiaco Oval (crowd: 3293)	[22]
Saturday, 17 May (2:45 pm)	Perth 14.14 (98)	def.	Swan Districts 11.7 (73)	WACA (crowd: 2557)	[23]
Saturday, 17 May (2:45 pm)	East Perth 11.19 (85)	def.	Claremont 10.10 (70)	Perth Oval (crowd: 2760)	[24]
Saturday, 17 May (2:45 pm)	East Fremantle 13.12 (90)	def. by	South Fremantle 13.16 (94)	Fremantle Oval (crowd: 16517)	[25]
A WANFL record home-and-away crowd[26][note 2] who paid £973[27] saw South Fremantle inflict East’s first defeat since 21 July 1945, ending a WANFL record run of thirty-five straight victories.

Round 5

	Round 5
Saturday, 24 May (2:45 pm)	Swan Districts 10.10 (70)	def.	Subiaco 9.10 (64)	Bassendean Oval (crowd: 2193)	[28]
Saturday, 24 May (2:45 pm)	West Perth 15.9 (99)	def.	Perth 8.14 (62)	Leederville Oval (crowd: 8211)	[29]
Saturday, 24 May (2:45 pm)	Claremont 9.5 (59)	def. by	South Fremantle 17.21 (123)	Subiaco Oval (crowd: 3476)	[30]
Saturday, 24 May (2:45 pm)	East Fremantle 19.12 (126)	def.	East Perth 8.12 (60)	Fremantle Oval (crowd: 4164)	[31]

Round 6 (Foundation Day)

	Round 6
Saturday, 31 May (2:45 pm)	Perth 5.6 (36)	def. by	East Perth 6.9 (45)	WACA (crowd: 4548)	[32]
Saturday, 31 May (2:45 pm)	Claremont 6.10 (46)	def. by	Swan Districts 9.5 (59)	Subiaco Oval (crowd: 2684)	[33]
Monday, 2 June (2:45 pm)	South Fremantle 17.12 (114)	def.	Subiaco 8.7 (55)	Fremantle Oval (crowd: 4138)	[34]
Monday, 2 June (2:45 pm)	East Fremantle 9.17 (71)	def. by	West Perth 13.12 (90)	Subiaco Oval (crowd: 15048)	[35]

Round 7

	Round 7
Saturday, 7 June (2:45 pm)	South Fremantle 12.17 (89)	def.	Perth 9.11 (65)	Fremantle Oval (crowd: 3804)	[36]
Saturday, 7 June (2:45 pm)	East Perth 9.16 (70)	def.	Subiaco 6.9 (45)	Perth Oval (crowd: 2727)	[37]
Saturday, 7 June (2:45 pm)	Claremont 11.18 (84)	def.	West Perth 5.13 (43)	Subiaco Oval (crowd: 3399)	[38]
Saturday, 7 June (2:45 pm)	Swan Districts 11.13 (79)	def.	East Fremantle 11.10 (76)	Bassendean Oval (crowd: 2012)	[39]
East Perth lodged a protest against Subiaco for playing Bill Ralph,[note 3] who had resided in East Perth’s district before moving to Goomalling,[40] but the protest has no effect because the Maroons lose their eighth consecutive match.

Round 8

	Round 8
Saturday, 14 June (2:45 pm)	South Fremantle 11.11 (77)	def.	Swan Districts 8.11 (59)	Fremantle Oval (crowd: 4964)	[41]
Saturday, 14 June (2:45 pm)	East Perth 7.11 (53)	def. by	West Perth 12.6 (78)	Perth Oval (crowd: 5368)	[42]
Saturday, 14 June (2:45 pm)	Subiaco 8.8 (56)	def. by	Claremont 11.14 (80)	Subiaco Oval (crowd: 2499)	[43]
Saturday, 14 June (2:45 pm)	Perth 8.16 (64)	def.	East Fremantle 8.9 (57)	WACA (crowd: 2402)	[44]

Round 9

	Round 9
Saturday, 21 June (2:45 pm)	West Perth 16.13 (109)	def. by	South Fremantle 18.11 (119)	Leederville Oval (crowd: 14784)	[45]
Saturday, 21 June (2:45 pm)	Swan Districts 11.5 (71)	def.	East Perth 10.9 (69)	Bassendean Oval (crowd: 2711)	[46]
Saturday, 21 June (2:45 pm)	Perth 11.16 (82)	def.	Claremont 12.6 (78)	WACA (crowd: 2624)	[47]
Saturday, 21 June (2:45 pm)	East Fremantle 12.11 (83)	def.	Subiaco 9.13 (67)	Fremantle Oval (crowd: 2099)	[48]
Ten goals by Naylor allows South Fremantle to retain their undefeated record in a brilliant match in front of another huge crowd after West Perth looked like winning during the last quarter.

Round 10

	Round 10
Saturday, 28 June (2:45 pm)	West Perth 14.19 (103)	def.	Swan Districts 5.9 (39)	Leederville Oval (crowd: 5320)	[49]
Saturday, 28 June (2:45 pm)	East Perth 9.16 (70)	def.	South Fremantle 9.15 (69)	Perth Oval (crowd: 4217)	[50]
Saturday, 28 June (2:45 pm)	Subiaco 7.5 (47)	def. by	Perth 9.14 (68)	Subiaco Oval (crowd: 1981)	[51]
Saturday, 28 June (2:45 pm)	East Fremantle 26.23 (179)	def.	Claremont 11.4 (70)	Fremantle Oval (crowd: 3618)	[52]
East Perth end a long South Fremantle winning run in a thrilling game where the Royals held the ascendancy before a late red and white rally give them the lead – only for Matson to kick the winning goal.

Round 11

	Round 11
Saturday, 5 July (2:45 pm)	West Perth 9.9 (63)	def.	Subiaco 7.14 (56)	Leederville Oval (crowd: 2977)	[53]
Saturday, 5 July (2:45 pm)	Swan Districts 3.5 (23)	def. by	Perth 17.19 (121)	Bassendean Oval (crowd: 2780)	[54]
Saturday, 5 July (2:45 pm)	Claremont 7.5 (47)	def. by	East Perth 20.16 (136)	Subiaco Oval (crowd: 3401)	[55]
Saturday, 5 July (2:45 pm)	East Fremantle 9.10 (64)	def. by	South Fremantle 12.13 (85)	Fremantle Oval (crowd: 15263)	[56]
In equalling their record low score against Perth from the previous season, Swan Districts kick the lowest score at Bassendean Oval until 1964 and still the second-lowest ever there.[57]

Round 12

	Round 12
Saturday, 12 July (2:45 pm)	Subiaco 17.20 (122)	def.	Swan Districts 6.4 (40)	Subiaco Oval (crowd: 1801)	[58]
Saturday, 12 July (2:45 pm)	Perth 6.8 (44)	def. by	West Perth 6.11 (47)	WACA (crowd: 3343)	[59]
Saturday, 12 July (2:45 pm)	South Fremantle 14.14 (98)	def.	Claremont 6.9 (45)	Fremantle Oval (crowd: 2363)	[60]
Saturday, 12 July (2:45 pm)	East Perth 4.14 (38)	def. by	East Fremantle 7.10 (52)	Perth Oval (crowd: 5665)	[61]
On an extremely muddy W.A.C.A. ground, West Perth produce a fine comeback win to move effectively two wins clear in second position.

Round 13

	Round 13
Saturday, 19 July (2:45 pm)	Subiaco 10.8 (68)	def.	South Fremantle 9.6 (60)	Subiaco Oval (crowd: 2097)	[62]
Saturday, 19 July (2:45 pm)	Perth 9.11 (65)	def.	East Perth 9.6 (60)	WACA (crowd: 3088)	[63]
Saturday, 19 July (2:45 pm)	Swan Districts 6.9 (45)	def. by	Claremont 7.7 (49)	Bassendean Oval (crowd: 836)	[64]
Saturday, 19 July (2:45 pm)	East Fremantle 11.15 (81)	def.	West Perth 10.14 (74)	Fremantle Oval (crowd: 3260)	[65]
In a round of thrilling matches in "wretched" weather with 41.4 millimetres (1.63 in) of rain[66] and deep mud, Perth and East Fremantle manage thrilling victories to be two games play 20 percent clear in fourth with six rounds to play.

Round 14

	Round 14
Saturday, 26 July (2:45 pm)	Perth 5.12 (42)	def. by	South Fremantle 9.5 (59)	WACA (crowd: 5298)	[67]
Saturday, 26 July (2:45 pm)	Subiaco 9.17 (71)	def.	East Perth 7.15 (57)	Subiaco Oval (crowd: 4647)	[68]
Saturday, 26 July (2:45 pm)	West Perth 16.20 (116)	def.	Claremont 13.6 (84)	Leederville Oval (crowd: 3232)	[69]
Saturday, 26 July (2:45 pm)	East Fremantle 16.12 (108)	def.	Swan Districts 8.10 (58)	Fremantle Oval (crowd: 1764)	[70]

Round 15

	Round 15
Saturday, 19 April (2:45 pm)	East Fremantle 22.15 (147)	def.	Subiaco 10.5 (65)	Fremantle Oval (crowd: 5085)	[71]
Saturday, 16 August (2:45 pm)	South Fremantle 15.9 (99)	def.	West Perth 12.17 (89)	Fremantle Oval (crowd: 8477)	[72]
Saturday, 16 August (2:45 pm)	Swan Districts 11.11 (77)	def. by	East Perth 15.12 (102)	Bassendean Oval (crowd: 1586)	[73]
Saturday, 16 August (2:45 pm)	Perth 12.13 (85)	def. by	Claremont 15.12 (102)	WACA (crowd: 3734)	[74]
The East Fremantle versus Subiaco match was put forward to the week before Round 1 to permit Old Easts to tour New South Wales. WANFL matches were suspended for two weeks for the 1947 Hobart Carnival.[75]

Round 16

	Round 16
Saturday, 23 August (2:45 pm)	West Perth 22.16 (148)	def.	Swan Districts 12.8 (80)	Leederville Oval (crowd: 2648)	[76]
Saturday, 23 August (2:45 pm)	East Perth 11.20 (86)	def. by	South Fremantle 14.16 (100)	Perth Oval (crowd: 7184)	[77]
Saturday, 23 August (2:45 pm)	Subiaco 11.16 (82)	def. by	Perth 11.20 (86)	Subiaco Oval (crowd: 3852)	[78]
Saturday, 23 August (2:45 pm)	East Fremantle 15.18 (108)	def.	Claremont 11.12 (78)	Fremantle Oval (crowd: 3014)	[79]
Perth gain a critical win after Subiaco – in their first match for four weeks after three straight wins – kick 6.6 (42) to 1.2 (8) in the last quarter and pound the Redleg backs who nonetheless manage to hold.

Round 17

	Round 17
Saturday, 30 August (2:45 pm)	West Perth 16.16 (112)	def.	Subiaco 12.10 (82)	Leederville Oval (crowd: 4408)	[80]
Saturday, 30 August (2:45 pm)	Swan Districts 9.14 (68)	def. by	Perth 20.15 (135)	Bassendean Oval (crowd: 1198)	[81]
Saturday, 30 August (2:45 pm)	East Perth 17.14 (116)	def.	Claremont 13.11 (89)	Perth Oval (crowd: 3013)	[82]
Saturday, 30 August (2:45 pm)	East Fremantle 19.14 (128)	def.	South Fremantle 14.13 (97)	Fremantle Oval (crowd: 11411)	[83]
East Fremantle score a critical win after it was close at three-quarter time to remain second, 18 percent ahead of West Perth.

Round 18

	Round 18
Saturday, 6 September (2:45 pm)	South Fremantle 25.15 (165)	def.	Perth 13.16 (94)	Fremantle Oval (crowd: 5443)	[84]
Saturday, 6 September (2:45 pm)	Subiaco 10.14 (74)	def. by	East Perth 19.12 (126)	Subiaco Oval (crowd: 3625)	[85]
Saturday, 6 September (2:45 pm)	West Perth 16.17 (113)	def.	Claremont 9.12 (66)	Leederville Oval (crowd: 3779)	[86]
Saturday, 6 September (2:45 pm)	Swan Districts 13.12 (90)	def. by	East Fremantle 21.13 (139)	Bassendean Oval (crowd: 748)	[87]
Perth, who had coped successfully with the loss of Merv McIntosh during the Hobart Carnival with a swollen hand[88] are in danger of losing their seemingly secure finals berth as a depleted South Fremantle runs over them in the first half. Naylor kicks fourteen goals and South Fremantle’s centreline and rovers are breathtaking.

Round 19

	Round 19
Saturday, 13 September (2:45 pm)	South Fremantle 13.16 (94)	def.	Subiaco 5.11 (41)	Fremantle Oval (crowd: 1276)	[89]
Saturday, 13 September (2:45 pm)	East Perth 7.9 (51)	def.	Perth 7.6 (48)	Perth Oval (crowd: 3918)	[90]
Saturday, 13 September (2:45 pm)	Claremont 12.13 (85)	def.	Swan Districts 9.15 (69)	Subiaco Oval (crowd: 535)	[91]
Saturday, 13 September (2:45 pm)	West Perth 11.10 (76)	def.	East Fremantle 8.6 (54)	Leederville Oval (crowd: 4580)	[92]
On a very wet afternoon,[93] East Perth’s late rally fails to given them the five-goal margin needed to make the four.[94] Six goals from Ray Scott ensures West Perth take the double chance in a high-standard game where Old Easts fade out after an impressive start.

Ladder

1947 ladder

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	D	PF	PA	PP	Pts
1	South Fremantle (P)	19	16	3	0	1892	1377	137.4	64
2	West Perth	19	14	5	0	1693	1422	119.1	56
3	East Fremantle	19	13	6	0	1826	1376	132.7	52
4	Perth	19	10	9	0	1463	1347	108.6	40
5	East Perth	19	10	9	0	1449	1386	104.5	40
6	Claremont	19	6	13	0	1337	1731	77.2	24
7	Swan Districts	19	4	15	0	1221	1822	67.0	16
8	Subiaco	19	3	16	0	1226	1646	74.5	12

Source: WAFL Footy Facts
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.
(P) Premiers

Finals

First semi-final

	First semi-final
Saturday, 20 September (2:45 pm)	East Fremantle 10.18 (78)	def. by	Perth 14.10 (94)	Subiaco Oval (crowd: 15,808)	[95]
Old Easts’ inaccuracy gives the less experienced Redlegs, led by McIntosh and former St. Kilda defender Marcel Hilsz, an upset win as they dominate after quarter-time.

Second semi-final

	Second semi-final
Saturday, 27 September (2:45 pm)	South Fremantle 20.8 (128)	def.	West Perth 13.9 (87)	Subiaco Oval (crowd: 23,847)	[96]

Preliminary final

Saturday, 4 October (2:45 pm)	West Perth 16.12 (108)	def.	Perth 13.10 (88)	Subiaco Oval (crowd: 21,168)	[97]
West Perth recover from a slow start to end Perth’s brave finals challenge, taking decisive control ten minutes into the last quarter.

Grand Final

Main article: 1947 WANFL Grand Final

	1947 WANFL Grand Final
Saturday, 11 October (2:45 pm)	South Fremantle	def.	West Perth	Subiaco Oval (crowd: 27,112)	[98]
	1.1 (7) 8.2 (50) 8.4 (52) 13.8 (86)	Q1 Q2 Q3 Final	3.9 (27) 4.10 (34) 9.15 (69) 9.17 (71)	Umpires: D. Cronin Simpson Medal: Erik Eriksson (South Fremantle)
Naylor 4, Marsh 3, Murray 3, Hutchinson 2, Carbon		Goals	Scott 2, Bridges, Larcombe, Clamp, Lamb, Buttsworth, Kingsbury, Lind
Eriksson (best on ground), Renfrey, Marsh, Reilly, Jenkins, F. Price, Graham		Best	Lamb, Harman, Porter, Larcombe, Loughridge, Bridges, Kingsbury
		Injuries	Buttsworth (limp) Harman (cramp)
In a match marred by the collapse of the wall onto Roberts Road under pressure from the crowd[99] South Fremantle take advantage of the Cardinals’ poor kicking in very windy conditions to claim their first premiership since 1917 – and begin a WANFL dynasty.

Notes

1. Pressure from some WANFL board members to eliminate zoning existed as late as 1955.
2. The crowd was originally listed as 17,538.
3. Father of 1980s Claremont, Carlton and Glenelg spearhead Warren.

References

1. Barker, Anthony J. (2004). Behind the Play: A History of Football in Western Australia. West Australian Football Commission. p. 90. ISBN 0975242709.
2. See "Big Merv's Match". Australian Football.
3. Atkinson, Brian (2008). It's a Grand Old Flag: a History and Comprehensive Statistical Analysis of the West Perth Football Club 1885-2007. Fremantle Press. p. 103. ISBN 9781921361395.
4. Barker; Behind the Play, pp. 98-99
5. Spillman, Ken (2001). Diehards — the Story of the Subiaco Football Club 1946-2000. Subiaco Football Club. pp. 11–12. ISBN 0-9578185-0-5.
6. "Fremantle too Strong for Canberra Team". The Canberra Times. 11 August 1947. p. 4.
7. "East Fremantle Defeats Sydney". The West Australian. 11 August 1947. p. 5.
8. Barker, Behind the Play|page=100
9. "Won by a Point: Bassendean Match Keen". The West Australian. 28 April 1947. p. 9.
10. "Sure in Attack: West Perth Wins Well". The West Australian. 28 April 1947. p. 9.
11. "Good Tactics: Claremont Heartened". The West Australian. 28 April 1947. p. 9.
12. "Perth's Hard Try – E. Fremantle Extended". The West Australian. 28 April 1947. p. 9.
13. "A Runaway Win: West Perth Outclassed". The West Australian. 5 May 1947. p. 3.
14. "Vigorous Team: East Perth's Success". The West Australian. 5 May 1947. p. 3.
15. "Perth's Victory – McIntosh Outstanding". The West Australian. 5 May 1947. p. 3.
16. (Follower) (6 May 1947). "Accurate Kicking – East Fremantle Wins; Subiaco Strong in First Half". The West Australian. p. 2.
17. South Fremantle: Biggest Wins
18. "Exciting Finish: West Perth Hard-Pressed". The West Australian. 12 May 1947. p. 5.
19. "A Hard Tussle – South Fremantle Unbeaten". The West Australian. 12 May 1947. p. 5.
20. "Perth Strong – Ten Goals to Tucker". The West Australian. 12 May 1947. p. 5.
21. "Close Scoring – Good Claremont Effort". The West Australian. 12 May 1947. p. 5.
22. "Poor Kicking – West Perth Extended". The West Australian. 19 May 1947. p. 5.
23. "Perth Wins Again: Stout Finishing Effort". The West Australian. 19 May 1947. p. 5.
24. "Backs in Form – East Perth Successful". The West Australian. 19 May 1947. p. 5.
25. "Strenuous Match – South Fremantle Superior". The West Australian. 19 May 1947. p. 5.
26. West Australian Football League: Highest Home-and-Away Crowds
27. "End of Winning Run: Stirring Defeat of East Fremantle". The West Australian. 19 May 1947. p. 5.
28. "Fighting Finish: Only One Goal to Spare". The West Australian. 26 May 1947. p. 5.
29. "Perth's Setback: West Perth too Strong". The West Australian. 26 May 1947. p. 5.
30. "Ruck Weakness: Claremont Loses to Leader". The West Australian. 26 May 1947. p. 5.
31. "A Sudden Change: East Fremantle's Rally". The West Australian. 26 May 1947. p. 5.
32. "Won in First Half: Swan Districts Begins Well". The West Australian. 2 June 1947. p. 5.
33. "Sound Defence – East Perth's Victory". The West Australian. 2 June 1947. p. 5.
34. "One-Sided Match: S. Fremantle's Forwards Good". The West Australian. 3 June 1947. p. 4.
35. "Pace and Marking – West Perth Superiority". The West Australian. 3 June 1947. p. 4.
36. "Perth Fades Out: S. Fremantle's Close Call". The West Australian. 9 June 1947. p. 5.
37. "East Perth Wins: Too Strong for Subiaco". The West Australian. 9 June 1947. p. 5.
38. "Improved Form: Claremont's Fine Display". The West Australian. 9 June 1947. p. 5.
39. "A Spirited Finish – Swan Districts' Victory". The West Australian. 9 June 1947. p. 5.
40. "A Protest Lodged". The West Australian. 9 June 1947. p. 5.
41. "Against the Wind – East Fremantle's Valuable Goals". The West Australian. 16 June 1947. p. 5.
42. "Good Forwards – West Perth Untroubled". The West Australian. 16 June 1947. p. 5.
43. "Claremont's Win: Subiaco Fades Out Again". The West Australian. 16 June 1947. p. 5.
44. "Last-term Tussle – Perth Defends Strongly". The West Australian. 16 June 1947. p. 5.
45. (Follower) (23 June 1947). "Close Finishes – Naylor's Ten Goals Give Leaders Victory". The West Australian. p. 5.
46. "A Rugged Match – Swan Districts Hard-Pressed". The West Australian. 23 June 1947. p. 5.
47. "Determined Rally: Perth Defeats Claremont". The West Australian. 23 June 1947. p. 5.
48. "Weak Forwards – Subiaco Fail at Fremantle". The West Australian. 23 June 1947. p. 5.
49. "An Easy Victory: Swan Districts Outclassed". The West Australian. 30 June 1947. p. 5.
50. "Exciting Finish — South Fremantle Defeated". The West Australian. 30 June 1947. p. 5.
51. "Perth Extended: Subiaco Leads in Last Term". The West Australian. 30 June 1947. p. 5.
52. "Return to Form: East Fremantle Impressive". The West Australian. 30 June 1947. p. 5.
53. "A Close Finish: Subiaco Extends West Perth". The West Australian. 7 July 1947. p. 5.
54. "Perth Efficient: Swan Districts Outclassed". The West Australian. 7 July 1947. p. 5.
55. "One-Sided Match: East Perth Score Heavily". The West Australian. 7 July 1947. p. 5.
56. "Early Speed: South Fremantle Impresses". The West Australian. 7 July 1947. p. 5.
57. Bassendean Oval: Lowest Scores
58. "Ruck Strength: Subiaco's First Victory". The West Australian. 14 July 1947. p. 5.
59. "Three-Point Win: West Perth's Fine Recovery". The West Australian. 14 July 1947. p. 5.
60. "Claremont Fades: South Fremantle too Strong". The West Australian. 14 July 1947. p. 5.
61. "Early Success – East Fremantle Gain Lead". The West Australian. 14 July 1947. p. 5.
62. "Subiaco Strong: South Fremantle Beaten". The West Australian. 21 July 1947. p. 5.
63. "Heavy Going – Perth Beats East Perth". The West Australian. 21 July 1947. p. 5.
64. "Lower Teams: Claremont's FOurth Victory". The West Australian. 21 July 1947. p. 5.
65. "Surer Forwards: East Fremantle's Success". The West Australian. 21 July 1947. p. 5.
66. Bureau of Meteorology; Perth Regional Office (009034) July 1947 rainfall
67. "Good Recovery – South Fremantle's Success". The West Australian. 28 July 1947. p. 5.
68. "Strong Finish – Fine Effort by Subiaco". The West Australian. 28 July 1947. p. 5.
69. "Last-Term Rally – West Perth Beats Claremont". The West Australian. 28 July 1947. p. 5.
70. "Decisive Victory – East Fremantle Efficient". The West Australian. 28 July 1947. p. 5.
71. "League Football – All-Round Superiority: East Fremantle Starts Well". The West Australian. 21 April 1947. p. 5.
72. "Costly Mistakes – West Perth Forwards Fail". The West Australian. 18 August 1947. p. 5.
73. "Weakened Teams – East Perth Successful". The West Australian. 18 August 1947. p. 5.
74. "Fast Pace Early – Claremont in Form". The West Australian. 18 August 1947. p. 5.
75. See "Position Unchanged – Perth and East Perth Defeated". The West Australian. 28 July 1947. p. 5.
76. "Easy Victory: West Perth Scores Heavily". The West Australian. 25 August 1947. p. 5.
77. "Serious Loss: East Perth's Inaccuracy". The West Australian. 25 August 1947. p. 5.
78. "Sudden Change: Subiaco Narrowly Beaten". The West Australian. 25 August 1947. p. 5.
79. "Strong Finish: East Fremantle Rallies". The West Australian. 25 August 1947. p. 5.
80. "Thirty Points to Spare: West Perth Untroubled". The West Australian. 1 September 1947. p. 5.
81. "Easy Victory: Tucker's 12 Goals for Perth". The West Australian. 1 September 1947. p. 5.
82. "Forwards Improve: East Perth Beats Claremont". The West Australian. 1 September 1947. p. 5.
83. "Good Kicking: Six Goals to G. Prince". The West Australian. 1 September 1947. p. 5.
84. "Perth Outclassed: South Fremantle's Speed". The West Australian. 8 September 1947. p. 5.
85. "Useful Margin of Points: East Perth Beats Subiaco". The West Australian. 8 September 1947. p. 5.
86. "West Perth Wins: S. Heal in Sparkling Form". The West Australian. 8 September 1947. p. 5.
87. "Bassendean Game: J.Green's Half-Forward Play". The West Australian. 8 September 1947. p. 5.
88. (Follower) (8 September 1947). "Perth in Danger: East Perth May Scrape into Four". The West Australian. p. 5.
89. "Subiaco Fades – Strong First Half". The West Australian. 15 September 1947. p. 5.
90. "Three-Point Win – East Perth's Late Rally". The West Australian. 15 September 1947. p. 5.
91. "Sixth Success: Claremont's Final Effort". The West Australian. 15 September 1947. p. 5.
92. "Decisive Victory – West Perth's Good Form". The West Australian. 15 September 1947. p. 5.
93. Australian Bureau of Meteorology; Perth Regional Office (009034) September 1947 rainfall
94. "First Semi-Final: East Fremantle to Meet Perth". The West Australian. 15 September 1947. p. 5.
95. "Perth's Triumph: East Fremantle Defeated in Semi-Final". The West Australian. 22 September 1947. p. 5.
96. (Follower) (29 September 1947). "Pace and Teamwork: South Fremantle Outplays West Perth". The West Australian. p. 5.
97. (Follower) (6 October 1947). "West Perth Reaches Grand final: Another Tilt at South Fremantle". The West Australian. p. 5.
98. (Follower) (13 October 1947). "After Thirty Years: Football Title to South Fremantle". The West Australian. p. 5.
99. "Wall at Oval Collapses: Cars Crushed by Falling Stone". The West Australian. 13 October 1947. p. 7.

External links

• Official WAFL website
• Western Australian National Football League (WANFL), 1947