By PETER ROWE
Six teams, no byes and a round one set of games that will give the NRLWA Fuel to Go and Play Premiership a fantastic start to the 2025 season.
That’s what’s in store this weekend to announce that rugby league is back.
Premiers North Beach Sea Eagles open their defence of the title they won so handsomely last September when they host the team they beat that day, Fremantle Roosters, in what is undoubtedly the game of the round.
South Perth Lions start their campaign at home to newcomers Willagee Bears – a game that will give us some clues as to both side’s credentials and a new-look Rockingham Sharks will meet the Joondalup Giants in a south v north encounter to complete the day.
At North Beach visitors Fremantle will be down on numbers, because of pre-season injuries and work commitments, but new coach Duane Butler is still optimistic his “much younger” side can prevail.
Butler cracked a bone in his shoulder in a trial match ten days ago, so will miss the game and veteran Delane Edwards will also be missing from first grade with young winger Nick Riggs named as captain for the game.
Nick Riggs will run out as captain for the first time this weekend
“We’ve built a leadership group at the club that includes both older, senior players and a couple of our younger boys, and Riggsy has come through the ranks here and deserves to lead the boys out,” Butler said.
“It will be a good test and I have to say the older boys have all bought in, so it’s really good to see.”
The Roosters will be without a number of key players, including Sony Kerr, Paora Kemp and Ezra Taomia – as well as Butler, who should be back for round three – but that hasn’t affected the new coach’s thinking.
“I know we have some good youngsters here so I’m looking forward to seeing them perform,” he said.
“I think it will be two very different sides to last year’s grand final. It’s such an open competition this year. We’re still working on our systems but as long as I see effort and a will to win, then I will be happy.”
There will be new faces in the Sea Eagles lineup as well, but coach Phil Douche is happy so far with his preparations.
Ken Allen Medallist, Jeremy Wallace, lines up in the halves for North Beach in 2025 /
Photo – NBRLC Facebook
Veteran Jeremy Wallace returns in the halves and he will be partnered by Riley Hextell, a former Illawarra Steeler. A combination of Douche is very comfortable with.
“Riley’s played SG Ball over east and I think he will fit in well,” Douche said.
Bailey Millar will be at fullback and has been given a more prominent role this season, so expect to see more of him with ball in hand and although there are a few missing for this round one clash, Douche is pleased at how his new-look side has come together.
“A mixture of youth and experience and it will be interesting to see how they gel,” he said.
Brad Sparrow has joined from Joondalup and Douche is hoping for big things from backrower Mackenzie Martin.
“Even though it’s round one, there’s a good rivalry between us and Freo so I’m expecting a high intensity game, Douche added.
“We’ve lost a few to the Eastern States (Korey Craig, Darius Rogers and Jesse Rafferty for example) but I’m happy with our spine. Kobi (Aiesi) will be our nine, so yes, we are positive.”
Down at Port Kennedy the Rockingham Sharks have been quietly flying under the radar with a team rebuild after losing player-coach Tom Murphy back to Queensland during the summer.
Peter Worth is no stranger to the competition, having played in it since 2004. Three grand finals and over 200 first grade appearances later, he is the new voice from the sidelines.
By his own admission he’s been a bit like a cat on hot tin roof this week – full of nervous excitement at what’s in store.
Ben Bolth is looking for a big year leading the Sharks / Photo – Libby McMillan
He’s watched a team come together – led by captain Ben Bolth and with assistance more recently from new half Dave Quinlan, a Brisbane comp veteran, and British Lion Chris Siddons.
“We’ve had such a turnover of players over the summer, I think we may have as many as 10 first grade debuts on Saturday,,” he admitted.
“We’re an unknown quantity, but we have some talent there for sure and I’m excited for them all.
“We have debut boys, lads from England, some older heads like Bolthy and our juniors coming through the ranks to make first grade.
“They have all bought in and now it’s time to show me what they can do.”
Worth is keeping his stylebook under wraps for the time being, preferring to see how it develops.
“We started the preseason late because of that player turnover so we’ve only had about six weeks, so it’s still evolving,” he said.
“It might take a while to gel, I don’t know. If it works, then it might only need tweaking, or I might have to go back to the drawing board.”
Saturday is forecast to be a hot day – maybe as high as 35 degrees. Bench and interchange management may be crucial.
But as Worth says, it will affect both teams.
“Good D, good line speed and play our sets – get that right and we can build from there.”
2024 U-17s premiership winner Crocket Henry will partner Quinlan in the halves and another rising star from that team, Weylan Antonelli, will be in the centres.
CAS Halfback Of The Tournament, Crockett Henry, will guide the Sharks around this weekend /
Photo – Libby McMillan
“Our youngsters have trained themselves into first grade – they have been superb, we have four I think who are in the squad. It’s great to see.”
Joondalup will hoping to get some revenge on the Sharks after losing out to them in the finals last season and coach Darren Smith says he is blessed with some good talent to start the season.
“We are looking good,” Smith said after attending the club’s season launch on Wednesday night.
“We are fitter and I have a few options in a number of positions which has to be a positive.”
Joel Irvine will once again captain the side that will see the return of Davey Martin and JoJo Ranger from Alkimos.
Gus Marshall returns in the halves but who will partner him remains a secret until before kickoff, with Smith pleased with the performances of youngsters Tiger Williams and Brody Dunne in a trial game two weeks ago.
Tiger Williams is fighting for a starting spot this weekend
“I’m blessed in the halves,” Smith joked . So I’ve not make a call yet as to who will play in a number of key roles.”
Young forward of the year Jack Bullard will return to lead the pack and River Coleman will again be there to do what he does best at hooker.
“We’re still working on combinations. Like I guess most clubs are at this time the season,” Smith said.
“But Im really happy with our attitude in the buildup, we are a lot more professional – on and off the field – and I think we will go well.”
At George Burnett Park, Duane Gwiazdinski is quietly confident his new-look South Perth team has enough talent and energy to start the season well against Willagee Bears.
The Lions have recruited well during the summer and have developed a solid spine that is capable of matching it with anyone.
“We’re a relatively new unit, with a few new faces – plus some older ones like Daniel Green and Eddie (Proudler) and Harry (DeBique),” Gwiazdinski said.
“Different from last year, but we’re in a good place and if we stick to the processes and stay on target we will be there or thereabouts.”
Harry Debique returns for the Lions / Photo – Carmel Potter-Green
Travis Haney joins from Joondalup and will start on the wing with newcomer Meli Arthur on the other edge.
“Meli’s a good kid and trained well, so I think he will fit in and Travis is a great addition,”Gwiazdinski said.
With DeBique at fullback, Soni Langi and Proudler in the halves and with Jayden Evans at hooker the Lions’ spine looks solid. Then add Green at lock with Mason Hiko and Riley Captein in the front row, and Ethan Gourgaud in the back row good times could be just around the corner for the club.
“There’’s a lot of optimism around the club,” Gwiazdinski said. “We want to play good football. That’s the starting point. Then move on from there.
“If everyone is putting in and there’s effort – which I think there will be – then we’re on the right track.
“Of course we want to win the game. If not then we were either beaten by a better team or our performance wasn’t good enough.”
Travis Haney dons a new jersey for the 2025 season / Photo – Carmel Potter-Green
New boys Willagee are ready for their return to first grade football but coach Nelson Davis knows South Perth will be a tough ask.
The Bears, who will be led by 2020 Ken Allen Medal winner Kainoa Gudgeon, have had a solid pre-season and, according to Davis, are as fit as he has ever seen them.
“I know South Perth will be strong, their club history tells you they won’t accept anything but the best, but we are confident,” Davis said.
Club stalwart Ryan Mills takes on a huge roll at the Bears in 2025 / Photo – Willagee Bears FB
“It’s a very open competition this year, there’s a lot of unknown factors about all the teams but we will be competitive, we will certainly fight for 80 minutes and we are fit.”
Gudgeon will have a major influence on the way Willagee perform, but their spine is strong and halves Ryan Mills and Rangitukia “Tamaho” Tierney will lead them around the park.
Lock Josiah Tanonef is a young lad who has come through the club’s junior grades and is one to watch and hooker Tremayne Kamso has impressed Davis during pre-season.
“Tremayne played well in the trials and deserves his spot in the 13. Former Rockingham youngster Rangi Thompson has returned from union and will be Davis’ go-to utility off the bench if required.
“We’ve a good a few good union boys who might take a few games to come to terms with league rules, but I know they are good enough,” Davis said.
Josiah Tanonef steps up to the top grade this weekend after a big year in VMT in 2024 /
Photo – Willagee Bears FB