Pardon my self indulgence but a debate on another thread about Subiaco’s current dominance of the WAFL competition and the comparison between periods of dominance by other teams through the years sent me back to the record books to check.
Subiaco’s run probably started in 2003 when they lost to West Perth in the premiership decider. In the 16 seasons since then they have contested 12 Grand Finals and won 7 of these. You could mount an strong argument that the figure would have been 9 if not for the Peel/Freo alignment.In this time the other flags have been won by WP(2), C(2), SF(2) and Swans as well as the two from Peel. Subiaco missed the finals twice in 16 seasons (2010 and 2013) but didnt really bottom out in either of these years.
Other comparable dominant runs of more than 10 years are Claremont (1987 - 1996) - played in 8 out of 10 grand finals for 5 flags, Perth(1966 -1978} -played in 8 out of 13 Grand finals for 5 flags, South Fremantle (1947 -56) 8 out of 10 Grand finals for 6 flags, East Fremantle (1928 - 1946) 14 out of 19 Grand finals for 9 flags, East Perth (1918 - 1928) 9 out of 11 Grand Finals for 7 flags and East Fremantle (1899 - 1912) who played in all 14 grand finals in these years and were successful 9 times.
Obviously some of the earlier streaks were achieved with less teams in the competition than there are today,but it does show that all dominant teams do eventually fall away in a cyclical pattern. The problem with the current Subiaco juggernaut is that it has only got stronger over the past few years and it is hard to see anybody putting up a realistic challenge to them in the foreseeable future.
Funny thing is Mike in none of the eras above did the WAFL have supposed equalisation measures put in place to try and even up the comp either like they have now- salary cap, player points cap, afl listed players finals cap etc…and haven’t they all worked a treat!!! :blink:
It can only go one way for Subi from this point in there Golden Era.Unbeaten in the League and premierships in all 3 grades.There coach has joined the AFL ,and wafl clubs will be poaching premiership ressie and colts players.Highly unlikely Subi will go another year unbeaten. However they havnt lost a home and away game since round1 2017.Pretty scary when you think about it.
Mike it looks like East Perth are going to get some concessions of the Wafc post the alignment. I can see them challenging Subi in 2 or 3 years time.Who knows maby Perth and Claremont, SFreo can in 2019.Even Swans lol.
You would be better to look at the most dominant Teams since the advent of the Eagles/Dockers.
From 1987 onwards, it would be Claremont and Subiaco. Claremont have fallen away of late, but Subi were around in the late 80s and 90s to present.
He Mikeh - good work, whats amazing in the historical figures , is how many teams make GFs, but how few of them they win in comparison , like 19 appearances for just 9 wins. ..incredible.
How exciting will it be when they come back to the pack. The days of going into a season with a bit of optimism that your club can actually win a flag are gone temporarily.
Subi have finished with a % over 200 twice in recent years - that is a better measure of dominance. Not sure its been done before in the modern era let alone twice.
Yes interesting point Bazza, fair to say that the WAFL changed forever in 1987 when the Eagles entered the then VFL. In the 32 seasons since these are the records of each team
Subiaco ( 8 premierships from 16 Grand finals and 25 times in the finals)
Claremont (7/14/21)
West Perth next best (4/9/18)
South Fremantle (3/8/19)
East Perth (3/6/17)
East Fremantle (3/6/16)
Swans (2/3/15)
Peel (2/2/3)
Perth (0/0/2)
All teams bar Perth have had their moments but fair to say that the 2 Western Suburbs teams have dominated the competition with nearly half the premierships and grand final appearances since 1987.
Its really been remarkable the dominance of Subi and Claremont of recent decades..
Its also striking just how poorly Perth have performed for an extended period, just shocking, quite surprised by Swans as well, they have never really got going.
Interesting to see nearly all clubs in GF going around 45-50% success rate…looks like that 9 from 19 GF success rate for EF par for the course…also interesting to see despite EF shite last 18 years they aren’t too far behind the likes of EP, WP and SF who have been right up there over that time period…
Yep…not a whole lot separating Subi and Claremont in that time then as you say Freez, then there’s a group all pretty well tied together after that. It also shows 2016 and 17 were a pimple on the arse of the WAFL when looking at what Peel has achieved since their inception 22 years ago and how Perth seriously needs additional help from the WAFC.
Yep…not a whole lot separating Subi and Claremont in that time then as you say Freez, then there’s a group all pretty well tied together after that. It also shows 2016 and 17 were a pimple on the arse of the WAFL when looking at what Peel has achieved since their inception 22 years ago and how Perth seriously needs additional help from the WAFC.
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Im not sure what help you mean BC , think they get everything all the erest of us get (bar Subi) You can chuck Swans in there will Perth as well, pretty ordinary performance by them tbh.
I keep hearing how Perth are sound financially , well maybe its time they spent some dough from the mysterious Trust they have.