A Timeline of History

The Perth Football Club fielded its first team in 1899, competing in the Perth First Rate Junior Competition. That same year, the club was invited to join the WA Football Association after the dissolution of the Rovers Football Club.

Nine former Rovers players joined the newly admitted Perth team, playing their first match on July 15, 1899, against Fremantle. In a titanic struggle, Fremantle held on to win by three points.

Based at the WACA Ground, the club, then known as the City Reds, made its first Grand Final appearance in 1904 but fell short against Fremantle.

Perth won its first WAFA premiership in 1907, defeating East Fremantle by one point. A controversial umpiring decision led to a protest, which resulted in the disallowing of an opposition goal after the halftime bell.

During the 1930s, the club was briefly known as Victoria Park Football Club before reverting to its original name.

Under the guidance of coach Austin Robertson Sr., Perth made a grand final appearance in 1949, setting the stage for a dominant era in the coming decades.

Led by Keith Harper, Perth defeated East Fremantle by two points in the Grand Final, securing its first premiership since 1907. This game also marked the farewell of club legend Merv McIntosh, a three-time Sandover Medallist.

Perth moved from the WACA Ground to Lathlain Park, gaining its own dedicated home ground after 60 years.

Under coach Malcolm Atwell, Perth won three consecutive premierships in 1966, 1967, and 1968, establishing itself as a powerhouse of WA football.

September 25, 1976 – Subiaco OvalAttendance: 45,823Perth Demons 13.14 (92) defeated East Perth 11.3 (69)Margin: 23 pointsSimpson Medallist: Malcolm Day (Perth)In a gritty, hard-fought battle at Subiaco Oval on a windy September afternoon, the Perth Demons channelled their underdog spirit to stun minor premiers East Perth and capture their sixth premiership overall, the first of back-to-back flags under master coach Ken Armstrong.Finishing third on the ladder, the red and black warriors ended an eight-year drought since their 1968 triumph, proving that heart, resilience, and belief can conquer all in front of a roaring crowd of 45,823.This was no easy ride; it was a classic Grand Final arm-wrestle. East Perth’s inaccuracy (just three behinds all game) kept them in it early, but Perth’s superb defence, midfield grunt, and timely goals turned the tide. The Demons absorbed pressure, then exploded in the final quarter to seal a memorable 23-point victory.Perth’s comeback in the last term was pure magic, relentless pressure forcing turnovers, precise kicking, and a team effort that overwhelmed the Royals.Quarter-by-Quarter BreakdownFirst Quarter: Perth 3.5 (23) to East Perth 2.0 (12) – Demons lead by 11 points, setting a solid tone despite the wind.Second Quarter: Perth 4.8 (32) to East Perth 4.2 (26) – A tight slog; lead trimmed to 6 points at half-time.Third Quarter: Perth 7.10 (52) to East Perth 9.3 (57) – Royals fight back to snatch a 5-point lead, testing Perth’s resolve.Fourth Quarter: Perth 13.14 (92) to East Perth 11.3 (69) – Demons dominate with 6.4 to 2.0, storming home in a premiership-defining surge.Perth’s Goal Kickers:Murray Couper 4, Garry Gibellini 3, Chris Mitsopoulos 2, Steve Hargrave 1Doug Farrant 1, Peter Herbert 1, Robert Wiley 1Best Players (Perth)Malcolm Day (Simpson Medallist – a midfield masterclass that swung the game), Garry Gibellini, Peter Herbert, Wim Rosbender, Geoff Watt, Robert Wiley, Kevin Will, Murray Couper.East Perth had their moments with goals from Smith, Hamilton, Webster (2 each), McGinnty, Quartermaine, and Spencer, but they struggled managing only 11 goals despite periods of dominance. Their low-scoring output proved costly against Perth’s more efficient attack and relentless fourth-quarter pressure. This flag kickstarted Perth’s most recent golden run, following their hat-trick in 1966-68 and leading straight into the dominant 1977 demolition. It’s a cornerstone of Demons lore: the underdog grit, the fourth-quarter heroics, and the unbreakable team spirit that defines us. We believed, we battled, and we conquered. Go Demons!

September 24, 1977 – Subiaco OvalAttendance: 44,381Perth Demons 26.13 (169) defeated East Fremantle 14.12 (96)Margin: 73 pointsSimpson Medallist: Wim Rosbender (Perth)On a perfect spring afternoon at Subiaco Oval, the Perth Demons delivered one of the most commanding, ruthless, and unforgettable premiership performances in WA football history.In front of a massive crowd of 44,381, the red and black machine dismantled East Fremantle in a 73-point thrashing, claiming back-to-back flags and setting a then-record score for a WANFL Grand Final that still ranks among the highest ever.Coach Ken Armstrong’s side blended speed, skill, teamwork, and sheer intensity, led by a brilliant fleet of small forwards, a rock-solid defence, and a ruck division that owned the stoppages.The game was over by half-time. Perth burst out of the blocks, leading by 13 points at quarter-time (4.4 to 2.3), then exploded in the second term with eight goals to East Fremantle’s four, stretching the margin to 39 points at the long break (12.7–79 to 6.4–40). The third quarter was pure demolition: another seven goals while holding the Sharks to four behinds, pushing the lead to 55 points (19.10–124 to 10.9–69). The final term was a victory lap, with seven more majors sealing the 26.13 (169) to 14.12 (96) triumph.Perth’s Goal Kickers:Murray Couper 6, Doug Farrant 4, Chris Mitsopoulos 3, Steve Hargrave 3, Robert Wiley 3Wayne Currie 2, Alan Johnson 2, Garry Gibellini 1, Kevin Hill 1, Wim Rosbender 1.The small brigade ran riot, with rover Robert Wiley (fresh from injury) and forwards like Couper and Farrant tearing the Sharks apart. But the star was ruckman Wim Rosbender, whose dominance around the ground earned him the Simpson Medal in a masterclass display.Best Players (Perth)Wim Rosbender (Simpson Medallist), Wayne Currie, Ken Inman, Geoff Watt, Alan Johnson, Steve Hargrave, Malcolm Day.East Fremantle fought hard but were no match, Ken Judge (4 goals), Mario Turco, and Glen Durnthaler tried to spark a comeback, but the Demons’ pressure and run were relentless.Champion defender Ken Inman, a key figure in both the 1976 and 1977 flags, later captured the essence of that day perfectly:“1977 was just about the ultimate team performance, resulting in us kicking a record winning score in a Grand Final.”This premiership capped Perth’s most recent golden era under Armstrong, back-to-back titles after breaking a long drought in 1976. It’s a day etched in club folklore: the highest Grand Final score of its time, a 73-point demolition of a fierce rival, and a team effort that embodied everything it means to be a Demon.More than four decades on, the 1977 Grand Final remains a benchmark of dominance. The Demons were unstoppable, and the red and black faithful still celebrate the day we marched to glory. Go Demons!

Despite a courageous seven-goal performance by Peter Bosustow, Perth lost the 1978 Grand Final to East Perth by two points.

The introduction of the West Coast Eagles into the VFL dramatically altered WA football. Despite challenges, Perth continued to produce elite talent, including AFL stars like Buddy Franklin, Darren Glass, Troy Cook, and Chance Bateman.

The redevelopment of Lathlain Park into Mineral Resources Park was completed, with the West Coast Eagles moving into the precinct, fulfilling the vision of late club president Vince Pendal.

In 2019, the Perth Football Club unveiled a new crest, symbolising the club’s rich history and commitment to the future. This marked a fresh chapter as the club looked to restore its legacy and build towards sustained success.

Perth Football Club’s Reserves team capped off a memorable 2021 WAFL season by winning the Reserves Premiership, defeating Subiaco 7.9 (51) to 6.9 (45) in a thrilling Grand Final at Optus Stadium on October 2, 2021, marking the Demons’ first premiership in any grade this century and their first Reserves flag since 1996. Perth finished the home-and-away season in the middle of the ladder but hit top form in finals, beating Swan Districts in the qualifying final and Claremont in the second semi-final to advance undefeated into the decider. In the Grand Final, Conor McPartland was awarded the Merv McIntosh Medal as best on ground with 18 possessions and 11 tackles, while key contributors included Jacob Peletier, Corey Yeo, Jayden Quill, Brodie Gray and Mitch Browne, and Jack Steel kicked two goals. The victory was especially sweet for seasoned stalwarts Christian Eyres (113 games) and Matthew Rogers (161 games), who retired with premiership medallions, as the club’s theme song rang out at Optus Stadium to celebrate a significant milestone in our recent history.

The Perth Football Club made strides towards inclusivity and diversity by introducing its first women’s team, laying the foundation for the growth of women’s football at the club.

Our inaugural WAFLW season marked a truly historic moment for Perth Football Club, as we proudly took our place in the state’s elite women’s competition for the first time and opened a new chapter in the Demons’ story. In our debut year we celebrated our first ever WAFLW victory, showed steady growth across the season and laid strong foundations for the future, with a committed playing group and coaching staff driving standards from day one. More than results, the season was about creating pathways for women and girls in our community, building a culture to be proud of, and proving that Perth belongs in the WAFLW, making this first campaign a landmark moment in the club’s history.

Our 2025 WAFL season was a truly historic chapter in Perth Football Club’s long story, highlighted by a drought-breaking finals victory that delivered our first senior finals win in 28 years when we defeated East Fremantle 106-77 in the Elimination Final, bringing to an end a finals win drought that stretched all the way back to 1997. That breakthrough win not only gave everyone at Mineral Resources Park enormous belief in what our group can achieve, it also marked just the club’s second finals campaign this century, underlining how significant this moment was for the Demons. The result ignited huge excitement among players, staff and supporters alike, and set a strong foundation for the future as we continue to build toward consistent success in the WAFL.