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.[1]
The WAFL implemented one major rule change in accordance with changes at AFL level in regard to the rushed behind rule:[2]
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:[3]
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.
South Fremantle trailed Perth 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.
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.
In a big weekend of milestones, Peel Thunder 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.[5]