PFNL finals: Stats and facts from the archives ahead of the 2018 grand final

So it’s in that spirit that we’ve decided to take a trip down memory lane and look at some stats and facts from our league’s past grand finals.

From Pinjarra’s recent dominance to Waroona’s four consecutive flags, below you will find some musings on the history of the Peel region’s beloved footy competition.

Highest score in a grand final

This one belongs to the 2008 South Mandurah Falcons, who thumped Centrals in the premiership decider 26.16 (172) to 5.5 (35).

It’s a hell of a way to get revenge considering Centrals pipped the Falcons by 29 points the year before, and it’s easy to see how the Falcons scored so much given Rod Tregenza booted 223 goals that year.

Lowest winning score in a grand final

Waroona took home four straight flags from 2009 through to 2012, and it was the last one they had to earn the most.

Playing against Rockingham for the second consecutive year the Demons managed to come away with a nail-biting 8.7 (55) to 7.9 (51) win.

Highest combined grand final score

What I wouldn’t give to have watched the 1995 grand final that saw Mandurah and Harvey (now part of the SWFL) combine for a whopping 258 points on the scoreboard.

Mandurah took home the chocolates on the day with a 19.22 (136) to 18.14 (122) win over the Bulls, who would go on to record their first premiership in the league the very next season.

Ps – anyone who might have footage of this game, drop me a line at justin.rake@fairfaxmedia.com.au

Most grand final appearances

Pinjarra has this one sewn up having appeared in a total 10 Peel league grand finals, while Waroona comes in a close second with nine.

Of course, both the Tigers and Centrals will notch another by Saturday, but for the purpose of this exercise we won’t count those.

Each club’s overall tally: Pinjarra (10), Waroona (nine), Centrals (seven), Mandurah (seven), Harvey (six), South Mandurah (six), Rockingham (five), Baldivis (one), Halls Head (zero).

Most flags

Well, when you get the most chances you’re likely to come away with the most premierships, so Pinjarra also rules the roost on this one with six total premierships from their 10 appearances.

Tied for second on the count is South Mandurah, Waroona and Centrals all with four.

After Saturday, either Pinjarra will have increased their lead to three or Centrals will have closed the gap to one.

Most reserves premierships

Rockingham’s early dominance has this one in the bag for the Rams, who hold eight reserves premierships, two ahead of Mandurah.

Fun fact: For the first 15 years of the reserves competition only three different clubs took home flags (Rockingham, Mandurah, Harvey).

Most colts premierships

Mandurah sits on top in this count, with the Mustangs boasting eight colts flags.

Rockingham isn’t far behind with seven of their own (which could become eight this Saturday as they face Pinjarra), while South Mandurah comes in third with five.

Grand final rivalries through the years

When it comes to grand finals we’ve had some cracking rivalries strike up in the Peel league over the years.

We’ve already touched on South Mandurah and Mundijong’s 07/08 rivalry in this article, as well as Waroona’s two consecutive wins over Rockingham in 11/12.

One we didn’t address was Mundijong and Harvey during Centrals’ dominance of the late 90s and early 2000s.

Centrals made it in to four straight grand finals from 98-01, winning both the second and third appearances over Harvey.

Baldivis’ 100 per cent strike rate

Only appearing in one grand final since joining the league in 2006 might not be something to brag about, but hey, 2016 was a winning one for the Brumbies and it means they have a clean sheet in the big games.

It didn’t come easy though, as they had to fend off a gutsy Waroona for a 10.7 (67) to 9.8 (62) win.

Back-to-back achievements

Waroona’s four flags through 2009, 10, 11 and 12 are without doubt the most impressive achievement in the league’s history, but who else has strung together consecutive premierships?

Mundijong was the first to achieve the feat going back-to-back in 1999 and 2000, directly followed by Pinjarra who won in 2001/02.

Not long after Ned Fimmano coached Harvey to a pair of flags in 2004/05, and just on the back of the Demons’ four-peat Pinjarra went for another pair of wins in 2013/14.