By PETER ROWE
And then there were four. Yes, it’s finals time and this weekend the NRLWA Fuel to Go and Play Premiership will see two games that could define the destination of this year’s trophy.
Minor premiers North Beach will host Fremantle in the one versus two tussle at BlueForce Park and Rockingham Sharks will host the Joondalup Giants in the three versus four elimination final, with the loser planning their Mad Monday a week or two earlier than they maybe would have wanted to.
Two games with all four teams still believing the premiership is theirs.
The Sea Eagles took out the minor premiership and the right to host this weekend’s game thanks to a surprise Joondalup victory at Fremantle last weekend.
For Joondalup their fourth spot on the ladder was already locked in, but Fremantle were hoping victory would secure them top spot. It wasn’t to be.
Rockingham, like their opponents this weekend, had also secured their place, in third, but a win over South Perth, with several key players still missing through injury, has created a positive feel in their dressing room ahead of Saturday’s game.
And the Giants were all smiles after that 22-20 win at Treeby Oval, like the Sharks, in a positive mood.
Photo – Liam Sallur
For Phil Douche though, while it was a nice surprise to take out the minor premiership, he knows it starts all square again once finals get under way.
“It was good to get top spot, but it will count for nothing if we don’t take advantage of it,” he said.
“There’s always a fair bit of nervous energy come finals time. We know we will have to find our groove early and complete sets, that’s important.”
The Sea Eagles will be without forward Shane Gillham, due to work commitments, but welcome back Keiran Tarrant for the game.
“Other than that we’re unchanged,” Douche added.
Bailey Millar is still struggling to recover from an elbow injury and centre Jaylen Grey didn’t play enough regular season games to make finals, but Douche is happy wth his squad.
“We still dropped the ball a bit too much against Freo last time out, but our numbers in motion are good and we’ve come a long way this season.”
Douche knows that whatever team Fremantle put on the field, it will be tough. The Roosters have struggled in recent games with injuries, particularly in key positions.
“It is hard right now to know what to expect, but they are a quality side so we have to be ready,” he said.
And will a home crowd be that extra man, pushing them on to another Grand Final?
“The old boys support is awesome. They are noisy and very supportive and I know the team is really appreciative of their efforts.
“It’s a big incentive to take out the win and make the Grand Final at the first attempt.”
Fremantle captain Duane Butler may miss the game, he tweaked his right calf at training on Tuesday evening.
“I’m getting treatment, but right now I can’t run,” he said. “I’m hoping it will improve in time, but I’m not a definite yet.”
The Roosters will still be without player-coach Delane Edwards (suspended) and forward Jules Wilson-Wylie (working) but welcome back centres Joe Pou’hila and Eli Beattie as well as Paora Kemp at fullback.
Winger Kaelin Heremaia-Phillips will also miss the game after sustaining a shoulder injury last week against the Giants.
Alan Cowan will switch back to the wing and Sonny Kerr will captain the side in place of Butler.
“A different side again,” Butler said. “It’s exciting to be in finals and for some of our younger players it will be the first time so one or two of our senior players need to step up and lead.
“The last time we played Beach our forwards let us down, so we need to ready early to manage their lateral movement and quick play the balls.
“They have pace and some big boys up front.”
At Port Kennedy, the Rockingham Sharks will be hoping to have an almost full-strength side available to face the Joondalup Giants.
Player-coach Tom Murphy is back after a week off, as is gun centre Logan Barclay.
Daniel Godwin returned last week after eight weeks out with a hamstring problem and Murphy is hoping halfback John McLaughlin will also be fit.
Photo – Libby McMillan
Andrew Jeffrey also returned last weekend and he will bet a massive plus for Murphy’s team.
“AJ is back and is a great option with Derek Chizuni at hooker,” Murphy said.
“It’s do-or-die time isn’t it. Any player who doesn’t understand how big finals footy is and what it means, probably shouldn’t be playing the game.
“Senior players will step up and make sure our younger players understand that.
“And trust the work that goes on in training.”
Murphy has been busy telling his squad how important this game is to the club this week, pushing his players hard during a massive storm at the club on Tuesday evening.
“It’s very important. We didn’t make the finals last year, so we have to step up,” the rain soaked coach said.
The do-or-die mantra is not lost on Joondalup either.
Photo – Libby McMillan
Having lost at the Sharks three weeks ago, they want to assign that result to history with a win.
And with wet weather forecast, it could come down to whoever holds on to the ball.
“Possession and ball control could be key,” Giants’ veteran halfback Taurean Sheehan admitted.
“Control, tempo and the least amount of errors.”
The Giants will have centre Mitch Haggart, and hooker River Colman back for the game, but will still be without prop forward Payden Porter.
Winger Dylan Davis is out but centre Rangiwananga Kingi returns.
And they are full of confidence after their win at Fremantle.
“It’s got us back in the groove, but we know we will still have to compete for the whole 80 minutes,” Sheehan said.
“Give them the opportunity and Rockingham can turn it on, as we found out when we met a few weeks ago.
“We need to get our forwards set early to build that platform for our backs – that’s important. It’s now do-or-die knockout football.”
Photo – Libby McMillan