2012 WAFL season

Pre-season News and Rule changes

On 1 February, it was announced that the West Australian Football Commission (WAFC) had signed a new three-year deal with sports company Burley-Sekem as the officially endorsed supplier of footballs to all WA competition, maintaining a strong relationship with Burley that dates back to 1907.

The WAFL implemented one major rule change in accordance with changes at AFL level in regard to the rushed behind rule:

• A free kick would be awarded against a player who intentionally rushes a behind over the attacking team's goal or behind line or into a goal post. The umpires were to give the defender the benefit of the doubt and the point would be awarded if the defender was deemed to be under sufficient pressure.

On 27 February the following amendments were accepted by the WAFC Football Affairs Committee:

• An annual 3 per cent increase in the WAFL Salary Cap, starting in 2012 to $217,000
• Due to widespread support for retention of loyal players, a maximum of $10,000 outside of the Salary Cap could be paid to one veteran player (one who had played 100 or more games at one WAFL club). This amendment ran on a trial basis.
• A fixed fine for late lodgement of Salary Cap documents plus a daily non-compliance fine of $50 per day
• Introduction of Weekly League match prizes of up to $750.

Clubs

Home-and-away season

Round 1

Round 2

• trailed by 50 points at three-quarter time. In the last quarter the Bulldogs kicked 10 goals 4 behinds to a solitary goal to win by 8 points.
• Former and player Des Headland kicked eight goals for against .

Round 3

• Last season's Bernie Naylor Medallist Blake Broadhurst () kicked six goals in his first game back after a limited pre-season.

Round 4

Round 5

Round 6

• captain Ross Young had 37 disposals, took 11 marks and four inside-50s in their 3-point win against .

Round 7

• Andrew Strijk () played his 100th game for the Falcons.

Round 8

Round 9

Round 10

State game

Kirkby 2 Jericho, Schiller, Gray, Clayton, Liddle, Schmidt 1 3 Richardson, Medhurst 2 Smith 1 Wulff

• 12 players made their debut for Western Australia, including captain Craig Wulff and Simpson Medallist Paul Johnson ()

Round 11 (Rivalry Round)

Round 12

• Perth’s win over Subiaco is their 1,000th in WAFL football. They are the second last of the six WAFL teams from before 1925 to reach this milestone, with Subiaco at the close of 2013 requiring six more wins.

Round 13

Round 14

• In a big weekend of milestones, captain Brendon Jones celebrated his 150th game with 34 disposals in a 29-point win. It was Mark Moody’s first win as senior coach and Peel’s biggest with fewer scoring shots.
• Michael Swan () played his 150th game.

Round 15 (NAIDOC Week)

Round 16

• and contested the Cable-Michael Cup for the first time. Former player Brennan Stack () kicked five goals.
• Graham Jetta () was charged with rough conduct and suspended for one match.

Round 17

Round 18

Round 19

Round 20

Round 21

Round 22

Round 23

• Jason Salecic () played his 200th game.

Round 24

Ladder

Finals

Semi-finals

Preliminary final

Grand Final

Main article: 2012 WAFL Grand Final

References

References

1. (1 February 2012). "Burley remains ball of choice for WA Football". wafootball.com.au.
2. (13 February 2012). "WAFL law change for season 2012". wafootball.com.au.
3. (27 February 2012). "WAFL Salary Cap & Points System". wafootball.com.au.
4. Egan, Chris. (26 March 2012). "Headland's eight goals too much for gallant Peel". wafootball.com.au.
5. [http://australianfootball.com/clubs/biggest_wins/Peel%2BThunder/186/129 Peel Thunder: Biggest Wins]
6. (28 June 2012). "Royal life member Swan backing in East Perth". wafootball.com.au.
7. Pike, Chris. (6 July 2012). "Centurion Geappen at home in black-and-white". wafootball.com.au.
8. (5 July 2012). "Inaugural Cable-Michael Cup clash". wafootball.com.au.
9. Hope, Shayne. (25 August 2012). "Bulldogs spoil Salecic's party". [[The West Australian]].