The 1890 WAFA season was the 6th season of senior Australian rules football in Perth, Western Australia. The Unions Football Club changed its name to "Fremantle Football Club" in April 1890[1] to better represent the locality in which they were based. They also won their fourth premiership of a four-peat this season.[2]
Both sides struggled to field a full team – “The Rovers mustered about 10 of their picked men and with the aid of emergencies picked up on the field, managed to make their number up to 17. The Fremantle had a full side, but they also were compelled to solicit the aid of four or five substitutes.“[3]
Again both sides struggled to field a full team – “The Mets did not have a full team, but succeeded in getting 18 of their men together. Of the Fremantle, through a chain of unexpected circumstances, only six of their selected men put in an appearance, but they managed to put 17 men into the field.“[4]
The crowd encroached on the playing arena and interfered with Fremantle’s play – “At one portion of the play there were more spectators inside than outside of the flags, and many times they seriously interfered with the visitors. Knox, who appears to be their bête-noir, receiving most of their attentions. Several times when kicking for goal, was he hindered by the barrackers throwing their hats on the ball.”[4]
Following the disturbances of the previous week, the Commissioner of Police sent troopers to keep order and “many expressions of gratitude were heard from the onlookers.”[5]
After head count at half-time showed the Metropolitan team had been playing with 21 men, their score of 2 goals 3 behinds was annulled and they commenced the second half two goals behind their opponents
This match was originally scheduled for 28 Jun 1890 but was postponed at the request Fremantle Rowing Club who scheduled a regatta to mark Coronation Day (52nd anniversary of Queen Victoria’s coronation)
On 20 September 1890 a match was scheduled to be played between Rovers and Metropolitan, however due to a scheduling clash two junior clubs had commenced playing on the ground and the match did not take place.[16]
