Photo – Libby McMillan
By PETER ROWE
Both South Perth and North Beach know they will need to be on top form this weekend if they are to maintain their lead atop the NRLWA Fuel to Go and Play Premiership as the competition heads into round seven with three mouthwatering games.
And with the forecast of a wet weekend, all six coaches have put their teams on notice to hold and control the football.
“That’s very important,” North Beach Sea Eagles coach Phil Douche said.
“We have had a good record in the wet over the past couple of seasons, but you cannot take anything for granted in this competition. You have to turn up.”
Douche’s side love to play a brand of fast flowing football, but a later than usual (4.30pm) kick off and a hint of rain won’t be putting the reigning premiers off when they visit the Rockingham Sharks.
“It’s the sort of competition this year when you have to put your best team out every week. If you don’t, you could be found out,” Douche said.
The Sea Eagles will be without Jeremy Wallace and Justin Buckley for the trip south to face the Sharks, both are away for the National Touch finals and Douche will also be without Brody Whitehead through injury and possibly Kalum Gulliver Brown.
Photo – Libby McMillan
“KGB is still not ready to return after an injury against South Perth last weekend and we have the usual Fifo workers to manage,” Douche said.
“But we have some decent depth and a happy squad right now. We’ve been stretched a little in the forwards with injuries but those who have stepped up have done a good job.”
Rockingham coach Pete Worth is contemplating making changes after last weekend’s disappointing loss to Joondalup.
The Sharks coach has struggled this season to find the right combinations, with so many new players in his squad.
“I’ve certainly had my work cut out,” he admitted. “For us it has often been about ball control and possession.
Photo – Libby McMillan
“It’s all about footy IQ and that’s been lacking – that attention to detail. But we remain positive and the boys have trained well.”
And if the rain does fall, Worth is hoping his young side can take advantage of the conditions.
“Wet weather can be a leveller, but we then have to capitalise on that,” he said.
“Beach are a quality side, well coached, where everyone knows their roles. Good ball movement and fast pace – we will need to be at our best to match them.”
Another later than usual kickoff (4.30pm) will see joint leaders South Perth Lions tackle the Fremantle Roosters at George Burnett Park.
The Lions are hoping to get back to winning ways after their loss at Willagee in round six and the improving Roosters are looking for points to close the gap on the three teams above them on the ladder.
“We’re over last week and we have addressed a few issues from that game,” coach Duane Gwiazdzinski said.
“We only completed four sets in the second half. We had chances but didn’t take them.
“It’s now the time of season when it gets serious and we have to keep up the pressure if we want to maintain our lead.”
With Jarrad Smith suspended and backrower Ethan Gourgaud and centre Okuk Mori both injured, Gwiazdzinski will look to his reserves to add to his squad.
Photo – Carmel Potter-Green
Englishman Harry Kendell, who has been playing Val Murphy in recent weeks, could make his debut.
The centre, from Leeds, has impressed the coach with his performances.
“He has a chance to show what he can do,” Gwiazdzinski said.
“It’s nice having some depth at the club, but they still have to earn a spot and we can’t take Fremantle lightly.
“They are a team playing into form, so we need to be ready for that.”
For Fremantle coach Duane Butler, last week was both disappointing and encouraging. But he knows this week is a different challenge.
“We’ve had two close losses in a row and the boys are itching for a win,” he said.
“I can’t fault the effort. A win will give them confidence and we can then hopefully make a run and close the gap between us and the teams above us.
“South Perth are leading the comp for a reason. Good structure and quality football. We need to throw our hat into the ring now to show what we can do.”
Nick Riggs (ankle) and Ryan Woolley (HIA) will both be missing, but Butler is hoping to have Luke-David Wells-Talamaivao back as well as Sonny Kerr and Ezra Taimoa.
Photo – Total Sports Photography
Woolley could be out for a month after a serious head knock last week that saw him in hospital for two days. “It was a tough one,” Butler said. “He will need some treatment, so we wish him well.”
Willagee Bears faired well in the rain last weekend to end South Perth’s run, but coach Nelson Davis knows this weekend will present new challenges as they host the Joondalup Giants, fresh from their first win of the season over the Sharks.
“We’re down on a few troops this weekend, so I will have to make some changes,” Davis said.
Jack Strachan, who has been playing well in reserves, will debut in the forwards and Davis will welcome back John Leota and centre Shai Wiperi.
“We have some good youngsters and when they have stepped up they have impressed,” he said.
Emmanuel Maliko is unlikely to be back from a calf injury but Davis has been impressed with his team’s attitude in both games and in training.
Photo – Total Sports Photography
“We have banned the word ‘sorry’,” he said. “It’s a fine if a player uses it. The phrase we use now is ‘I’ll fix it’ and they are.
“It’s been really positive to see.”
Davis knows Joondalup will offer a new challenge. “They now have points on the board and will be hard to control,” he said.
“There are no easy games in this competition and we will have to be focussed if we want to beat them.”
Giants coach Darren Smith has been buoyed by last week’s win, but knows his team still has to improve.
“We have a couple in and a couple out – plus a few sore bodies from last week, but we will be up for it,” he said.
“We are improving and if we can keep improving then things will start to happen for us.
“Anything is possible if we can stick to the gameplan and Gus (Marshall) is crucial to us there.
“He’s a leader and along with Taurean (Sheehan) gets us around the park.
“He steers the ship and Taurean gets the forwards organised. That hopefully will allow us to let young Brody (Dunn) develop in the halves.”
Photo – Total Sports Photography
Willagee for Smith offer more challenges, with their big pack and edge runners.
“They have recruited really well and we need to control them and close down their halves,” he said.
The game at Webber Reserve kicks off at 3.45pm.