1941 WANFL season

The 1941 WANFL season was the 57th season of the various incarnations of the Western Australian National Football League. Owing to the drain of players to military service in World War II, the league was forced to suspend the reserves competition until 1946, and ultimately this was to be the last season of senior football in Perth until 1945 as the supply of available players became smaller and smaller and the Japanese military threatened northern Western Australia.

On the field, 1941 saw West Perth, boosted by veteran goal machine Ted Tyson’s comeback from appendicitis and planned retirement, achieve a premiership barely two years after having lost 27 consecutive matches as a young nucleus that would make them a power after the war, including such players as Stan Heal and Bill Baker, defeated perennial powerhouse East Fremantle twice during the finals. In a thrilling struggle for the fourth position, East Perth lost out despite an impressive final-round win over the eventual premiers and missed the finals for the first time since 1930; they were despite a perfect season in the 1944 under-age competition not to return to open-age finals until 1952.

East Fremantle gain revenge for three 1940 losses against their derby rivals, whilst despite having only seventeen men for most of the game West Perth move to top position.

East Fremantle score 30 behinds in a WANFL match for the first time since the record 41 behinds against Midland Junction from Round 8, 1917.

With postwar Perth champions Ern Henfry and Merv McIntosh starring, South Fremantle lose their place in the four.

East Fremantle break Claremont’s record from the previous season by winning after being fifty points behind at quarter-time.

South Fremantle rebound with a superb win over West Perth led by ruckman Highham and centreman Clive Lewington. It remained their highest score against the Cardinals until 1979.

George Doig kicks his 1,000th goal as Old Easts record a run of wins over all the other clubs.

Subiaco kick their lowest score since 1922 as South Fremantle completely overwhelm them for the second time in three meetings.

In a thrilling match in heavy and windy conditions, East Perth take fourth place from the Southerners.