Photo – Carmel Potter-Green
By PETER ROWE
After a three week break the NRLWA Fuel to Go and Play Premiership resumes tomorrow with three mouthwatering games to reignite the passion in rugby league here in WA.
And the game of the round sees the Willagee Bears host reigning premiers North Beach at Webber Reserve.
The Bears are coming off a win at Joondalup and the See Eagles are refreshed after their defeat of Rockingham in round two on April 5.
Photo – Carmel Potter-Green
With all six premiership sides maintaining a tough training regime – some with nine sessions over the break – there is certain to be plenty of top class action at all three venues.
For the Bears it’s all about maintaining momentum after their 38-18 defeat of the Giants last month.
And coach Nelson Davis will be without Anzac MVP Malakai Chan Boon for the game , but is likely to give a debut to Josiah Tanonef in the back row.
“Rangi Thompson has been great at lock and John Leota is out with an HIA after the Anzac clash, so young Josiah will probably get a chance,” Davis said.
With nine players in the Anzac Kiwi squad last week, Davis is happy only one was injured as he knows his side will have to be at their best against the Sea Eagles.
“They are the benchmark team right now for sure,” Davis said.
“Bailey Millar is an outstanding player and their hooker Kobi Aeisi had a great game for the Kiwis.”
Photo – Carmel Potter-Green
Sea Eagles coach Phil Douche knows it will be a big game and he has a lot of respect for what the Bears are trying to achieve.
He organised a video session with his players this week to watch highlights of their previous games.
“They are still a relatively new team to the competition, so I thought my players would learn from watching what they do well,” he said.
“Willagee have some very good players and are a dangerous side who will win a lot of games this season, so we have to take them very seriously.”
As well as solid preparation, Douche has balanced the three-week break with some fun and even a game of beach volleyball last week.
“We have to stay engaged and having some fun has worked well for us.”
Tom Fry and Shane Gillham return in the forwards, key in this game against a strong Willagee pack.
But Mackenzie Martin will be out or at least 12 weeks after undergoing surgery on Wednesday to repair damage done when he suffered a high ankle sprain in the Anzac game last weekend.
“Mac’s a big loss and we wish him a speedy recovery,” Douche said.
At Rockingham Sharks coach Pete Worth has been working his team hard over the break.
“A bit of a reset now,“ he said. “We have put the disappointment of the North Beach game behind us and we move on.
Photo – Libby McMillan
Visitors Fremantle Roosters will pose problems, as they always do and Worth knows it will be a tough game.
“Playing Freo is never simple or easy. They are a tough opponent,” Worth said.
“But we’ve trained well, had a team bonding session at the races and we’ll be ready.”
Forwards Brody Gilchrist (groin) and skipper Ben Bolth will be missing, the latter still suffering from a troublesome calf injury, but otherwise he has a fit squad to choose from.
Roosters player-coach Duane Butler will welcome back Sonny Kerr and the evergreen Delane Edwards into his lineup, but is still missing the suspended Richie Hicks and Bjorn Crotty.
New signing Ryan Woolley is 50-50 after rolling his ankle in training, but Ezra Taomia will lead the forwards in a game Butler expects to be tough.
Photo – Total Sports Photography
“They have some good forwards and quick backs so we will have to be at our best – and I want to get that first win of the season,” Butler, who is still recovering from a pre-season shoulder injury, said.
“We have a few older heads back to lead the younger guys. Lleyton Cameron is starting to look good and brother Ozzie at lock is fitting in.”
Butler added he had been working his side hard during the break but wants them to hold the ball better when in possession.
“We have a great defence then we drop the ball when in possession on second play. We have to be better than that,” he said.
At George Burnett Park the high-flying South Perth Lions will not be taking their opponents – Joondalup – lightly.
“I don’t believe any game this year will be easy.,” coach Duane Gwiazdzinski said.
Photo – Carmel Potter-Green
“On their day Joondalup are very dangerous and can play some good football, so we need to be focussed and match that.
“I expect Gus (Marshall) to be back and maybe Taurean (Sheehan), so they will be organised.
“No disrespect to our previous opponents, but I think this will be our toughest game so far this season.”
Giants co-captain Sheehan will be missing from the lineup with an injury, but said the break had given his team time to review and plan.
“We’ve got a couple of new players likely to start, but as always we have a few away working,” he said.
Coach Darren Smith has shuffled the side and with Marshall and Brody Dunn in the halves, he is confident they can work their magic.
Photo – Libby McMillan
“South Perth are a well drilled side, very structured, so we know what we will be up against,” he said.
“But if we can work harder, get off our line and put pressure on them then we have a real good chance.”
The Lions, like other teams, have struggled to keep players focussed over the three-week break, but now that is behind them, Gwiazdzinski says they are raring to go.
“After 20-odd days without footy, it’s now time to get focused and ready,” he said.
“We need to keep our momentum, keep pushing our performance, because if we perform better we can win.
“The boys at training on Tuesday were talking about getting back on the horse, so to speak, and that’s what we have to do.”
Forward Mason Hiko is missing through work commitments, but otherwise it will be a strong Lions team taking the field at 3.30pm.