Even the most rusted on West Perth supporter would have to admit that if they were to get up and beat Subiaco on Sunday it would go down as the biggest Grand Final upset in WAFL history. I can’t remember too many years where a team which has been a long way in front of the rest of the pack has not gone on to win the flag. The only years I can think of where there has been a boilover are
2010- Swans knocked off Claremont who were clearly the best team that year
1995- West Perth were 4 games behind Subiaco on the ladder but won the second semi final and the grand final
1973 - Subiaco beat West Perth despite having lost to them 4 times that year.
1971 - West Perth beat East Perth after the Royals finished 3 games clear and won the 2nd Semi
They are the only ones I can think of.
I havent included the Peel flags of 2017 and 2016 becuase they were not the underdogs given the number of AFL players they had in their team.
Heres the biggest one off all time Mike.1961 East Perth V Swan Districts.
Not sure I agree re the '73 GF, mike.
From the moment Leon O’Dwyer arrogantly ran out in a WP beanie, the game was never in doubt. 
It is something I will never forget.
West Perth 2018..hahah.
Just wonder who where the most outside roughy.SD 1961 or WP 2018???
Now how could I forget Swans first premiership! That was an oversight. I wasnt old enough to remember that one but reading about it later, East Perth were unbackable going into the Grand Final having smashed Swans 4 times during the year. Was 1965 also an upset when EF knocked us over with an amazing last quarter into the breeze? Also 1964 when the Tigers came home with a wet sail to beat Old Easts. They only scraped into the top 4 in the last game apparently
1999 was a good one also we beat Souths that was chock full of Dockers, Souths had only lost 2 games I think against the Sharks? We had not beaten them all year we lost the prelim to them by about 30 odd points but then beat them in the GF against all odds … it was brilliant
There was controversy leading up to it as well , Marty Atkins got rubbed out for biting Culey on the leg pleaded guilty and then was spewin he got rubbed out … even tho he pleaded guilty.
Funny stuff
Correct Falcon, Souths lost twice to the Sharks that year and you guys only lost 3 as well,twice to SF and the other one was against EF. WP would definitely been underdogs in that Grand Final though given the make up of the Bulldogs team as you said.
I remember the 65 GF mike. Going into the last quarter a few goals down and kicking into the wind. Almost impossible odds in those days. Still got the video! Sadly, I also remember the 64 as well. Norm Rogers went down (with cramp if think) and his opponent kick the crucial goal…heart breaking!!!
They were the Halcyon days of the WAFL mate. Great player was Norm Rogers, was it Brewer who kicked that goal? Think it was the only thing he did all day.
64 - is this the Brewer goal?
https://thewest.com.au/sport/wafl/wafl-retro---grand-final-special-bc-5836735705001
- Sure Subiaco were minor premiers but had lost the 2nd semi by 9 goals. They would thrash East Fremantle in the Grand Final ending a 13 year premiership drought.
I’d say 1961 Swans defeating East Perth, for Swans first flag. 2010 swans win not a major upset as Swans had only lost 4 games compare to Claremont 2 in the home and away season and had beaten Claremont once and drew once from four games leading into the Grand Final
Swans had only beaten East Perth once in their previous 20 games (a 21 point with in 1960 -losing 19 games by an average of 45 points with margins of under 21 points twice) going back to 1956 including 4 losses in 1961 by 26,21,40 and 48 points in the 2nd semi. EP finished the season 19-2 well clear of Swans who finished 2nd with a 12-7-2 record. Swans had also only beaten EP 19 times ever from 82 games.
At that stage in history Swans had won 29% of their games this win was their 162nd from 547 games in contrast EP had won 57% of their 1069 games
http://waflfootyfacts.net/season/games/stats.php?GameID=4621
Other mentioned would be close.
The 1961 SD vs EP GF has been the biggest upset in WAFL GF history bar none!
Falcon can remember something really big happening in the 1st qtr of that GF.The now South Freo coach who at the time had just returned to WP from the Western Bulldogs.Layed a couple of massive shirt fronts.And took a couple of SF players out of the match???
Subi winning the flag against all odds over the WC Eagles in 2014 was pretty special…especially so since we only got into the GF after East Freo kicked 7.26 in the prelim.
Probably not the biggest, however 1992 when South had were 4-0 against East Fremantle before folding quicker than superman on laundry day in the GF was pretty good for a giggle.
I can’t remember that episode GTR, but I do remember Worsfold taking out our Troy Wilson early in the game, because of that Troy Wilson had spent a lot of time on the bench in that GF, Worsfold did a job on him that’s for sure.
Was only just 8 at the time - but I was and have been told that Perth were well and truely favourites in 78 V EP
Was only just 8 at the time - but I was and have been told that Perth were well and truely favourites in 78 V EP
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The only thing that could beat us that day was the rain and it came down in bucket loads.
The sun came out at 5 pm and EP had the flag.
The fact Murray Couper was out suspended didn’t help either.
Best individual performance in the wet I’ve seen by a player,The Buzz.
dont forget 1972, CL dominated that year, and from memory, were in front at half-time too. Good thread mikeh.
correction: Claremont won 18 games
they led at quarter-time.
Historically I would rank it this way
1 1961 --SD first ever flag palying against polly Farmer among others
2 1973 – because it was a fluke and broke the longest premiership drought
3 1964 – another fluke, this time by th Tigers
4 1955 – Perth breaking the drought which Subiaco managed to ‘better’.