The Subiaco Football club, nicknamed the Lions (and known as the Maroons prior to 1973), is one of the most decorated clubs in the West Australian Football League (WAFL) and WAFL Women’s (WAFLW).
The club was formed in 1896, initially playing in the local “First Rate Juniors” competition around Shenton Park Lake.
After strong early success, Subiaco was admitted to the West Australian Football Association (now the WAFL) in 1901 alongside North Fremantle. The club faced severe early hardship, winning only 11 games across its first seven seasons before building competitive momentum.
Subiaco won its breakthrough maiden WAFL premiership in 1912, defeating East Fremantle 5.8 (38) to 4.3 (27) in front of 12,500 fans at Subiaco Oval.
The Lions went back-to-back in 1913 and added a third flag in 1915, followed by another premiership in 1924.
Following 1924, Subiaco entered a lengthy drought, spending decades near the bottom of the ladder (including multiple wooden spoons post-World War II).
MONDAY NEXT, 5th SEPTEMBER 1949 SUBIACO FOOTBALL CLUB FIRST ANNUAL BALL Y.A.L. BALLROOM Harrison’s Dance Band — Dancing 8.30 p.m. to 1.30 a.m. Tickets 10/4 Single. Table Reservations at Nicholsons.
The Daily News Saturday 3 September 1949 page 27
Women’s Interests ….Subiaco Football Club’s First Annual Ball – Monday 5th SEPTEMBER 1949
An atmosphere of bonhomie and cheerfulness pervaded the first annual ball of Subiaco Football Club, held at the Y.A.L. Hall on Monday night. Everything was in favour of a successful night; there was perfect weather, good music by Jack Harrison’s band, novelties, and an excellent supper. Highlight of the ball, of course, was the Football Ballet. Entrance of the Sheik (Bob Wall), fanned in by an attendant (N. Gelavis), was greeted by loud laughter. Further merriment was caused when the Harem Girls, with their faces veiled, glided in, dancing sinuously to strains of ‘The Sheik of Araby’. One carried a dove, which escaped to the rafters. Summoned by the Sheik’s handclap, Salome (M. Posa), clad chiefly in net and sequins, gyrated gracefully in, and, after singing ‘Salome’, collapsed into the arms of the Sheik. The ballet was arranged by Mick Fitzgibbon and Vic Hodgson. The ‘girls’ were Alf Ferguson, Jim and Peter Unsworth, Tom Riley, Sam Williams and Ossie Gamble. B. Pritchard was unable to take part through a leg injury sustained during football practice. Other footballers present included Jimmy Hawtin, Rusty Innes, Les Walker, George Hall, Ted Kershaw, Bryce Pritchard., Mark Posa, S. Prowse, S. Bissen, and many others past and present.
THE DRESSES Among those present were: Mrs. Young, who wore black, with lace yoke; Mrs. Taylor, midnight blue taffeta, bouffant style; Mrs. V. Taylor, glamorous frock of pale blue net; Mrs. Brophy, black ballerina; Mrs. Brazil, black, with sequin trimming; Miss Davenport, graceful black frock; Mrs. Copeland, black, with unusual lace yoke; Mrs. R. Tilmer, black velvet; Mrs. Washburn, scarlet taffeta; Miss Halliday, scarlet and black; Miss Hawthorn, black velvet and fuschia shot taffeta; Miss Paddick, delphinium crepe; Mrs. Maynard, aqua crepe; Mrs. Pearce, black and white striped taffeta; Miss Valmai Smedley. a charming frock, lame and cyclamen net; Mrs. W. Blackburn, scarlet with effective cascade of gold flowers at hip; Mrs. J. Anderson, pale blue crepe; Mrs. Jock Green, dark cyclamen net and satin; Mrs. Hickmatt. cerise, with white spray; Mrs. Peers, powder-blue crepe; Miss Betty Green, pale blue ballerina; Miss Betty Pritchard, dainty pale pink frock; Mrs. Roberts, black, cyclamen flowers on blue background. Subiaco Weekly Gazette Thursday 8 September 1949 page 3
1970
William Arthur Harrison was a life member of the Subiaco Football Club from 1970 and was involved on committees and with fundraising.
With manager Basil Fuller, he was involved in booking the first overseas trip by any Australian football team to Singapore. Bill established business links whilst in Singapore.
The football team also travelled to the Eastern states, all which required sponsorship as it was in the days when the players paid to play and weren’t even provided with parking.
The Lions ended a 49-year premiership drought by capturing their fifth flag in 1973 under the guidance of legendary coach Hayden Bunton Jr..
The club played its home games at Subiaco Oval (Domain Stadium) for 96 years (1908–2004) before relocating its operations to Leederville Oval (Sullivan Logistics Stadium) in 2004.
Subiaco produced one of the greatest seasons in WAFL history in 2018, going 20–0 undefeated to claim the league premiership by 81 points, alongside reserves and colts flags on the same day at Optus Stadium.
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TODAY