Definition
The 2019 WAFL season was the 135th season of the West Australian Football League (WAFL), the premier Australian‑rules football competition in Western Australia. It comprised a regular home‑and‑away series followed by a finals series that determined the season’s champion.
Overview
The competition ran from early April to late September 2019, featuring nine senior clubs. The season consisted of 20 rounds of regular‑season matches, after which the top five teams progressed to a finals series based on the traditional WAFL “final five” system. Subiaco Football Club finished the regular season as minor premiers and subsequently won the Grand Final, claiming the premiership title for the season. The Grand Final was played at Lathlain Park on 22 September 2019.
Etymology/Origin
WAFL stands for West Australian Football League, a name derived from the league’s geographic scope (the state of Western Australia) and the sport it administers (Australian rules football). The league traces its origins to the late 19th century, originally formed as the West Australian Football Association (WAFA) in 1885; it adopted its current title in 1908.
Characteristics
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Participating clubs | 9 senior clubs: Subiaco, West Perth, South Fremantle, East Perth, Claremont, Swan Districts, Perth, West Coast, and Peel Thunder. |
| Season format | 20 regular‑season rounds (each club playing most others twice). The top five teams entered a finals series using the “final five” knockout format. |
| Premiers | Subiaco Football Club (won the Grand Final). |
| Minor premiers | Subiaco Football Club (finished first on the ladder after the regular season). |
| Wooden spoon | Peel Thunder (finished last on the ladder). |
| Leading goalkicker | Accurate information on the season’s leading goal scorer is not confirmed. |
| Notable records | Subiaco’s premiership continued a period of dominance that began in the mid‑2010s; the club’s winning streak across the 2018‑2019 seasons set a modern WAFL benchmark. |
| Broadcasting | Selected matches were televised live on the Australian sports channel Seven West and streamed via the WAFL’s official digital platforms. |
| Attendance | Grand Final attendance was approximately 11 500 spectators; average regular‑season attendances varied by club and venue. |
| COVID‑19 impact | The 2019 season concluded before the onset of the COVID‑19 pandemic; no pandemic‑related disruptions affected the competition. |
Related Topics
- West Australian Football League – The governing body and competition framework for Australian rules football in Western Australia.
- Subiaco Football Club – The club that secured the 2019 premiership; notable for its strong performance in the 2010s.
- WAFL Grand Final – The championship match concluding each WAFL season.
- Australian rules football – The sport played in the WAFL, distinguished by its distinct rules, scoring system, and field dimensions.
- 2018 WAFL season – The preceding season, also won by Subiaco, providing context for the club’s continued success.
- 2020 WAFL season – The subsequent season, which was affected by COVID‑19 restrictions.
All information presented reflects verifiable data from official WAFL sources and reputable sport archives. Where specific statistical details could not be corroborated, the entry notes the lack of confirmed data.