By PETER ROWE
To some, round eight of the NRLWA Fuel to Go and Play Premiership could be seen as a great leveller but to most of the coaches this weekend, it is an opportunity.
With clubs losing players to the State squad for the annual CAS Championships in Melbourne, coaches are looking at their depth, offering opportunities to players from the Val Murphy competition to step up and show their worth.
League pacesetters South Perth see it that way as they travel to Admiral Park to take on a rejuvenated Joondalup Giants.
“I think we have six players in the State squad, but we have a good Val Murphy team, so it is definitely an opportunity for some to show me what they can do,” Lions coach Duane Gwiazdzinski said.
Mason Hiko, Eddie Proudler, Jayden Evans, Jarrad Smith, Meli Arthur and Corbyn Daniels are all on State duty, and Gwiazdzinski has several first graders out with injury, but he’s also got a few returning.
Photo – Carmel Potter-Green – Jayden Evans away at CAS
“Centre Okuk Mori is back and Harry Kendell had a good debut last week, so he will switch to the wing. Ben Russell is another good in, and we have some good juniors at the club,” Gwiazdzinski said.
“It won’t be an easy game for sure, Joondalup will be on a high after their win last week and they are good at home.
“Gus (Marshall) seems to know every bit of their field and his kicking is dangerous and something we will have to watch.
“But we have had a good start to the year, we have some good momentum and we have trained well this week.”
The Giants have no State representation this year, so could be a dangerous proposition on Saturday.
“We’re not getting ahead of ourselves,” captain Taurean Sheehan said.
“It’s a chance for us to build on the last two weeks and get a bit of momentum ourselves, but even without their State players South Perth are tough – and it will be a challenge.
Young half Brodie Dunn is away on Under-18s CAS duty, but the Giants welcome back Jo Jo Ranger and Mitch Haggart.
Photo – Total Sports Photography – Brodie Dunn away at CAS
At North Beach Sea Eagles coach Phil Douché will also be missing players – five in total – for the CAS Championships.
Fullback Bailey Millar, hooker Kobi Aiesi, half Jeremy Wallace and backrowers Brad Sparrow and Roydon Gillett are all away on State duty, and with Brody Whitehead still recovering from injury, Douché will shuffle his side in preparation for the visit of the Willagee Bears.
“It is what is,” Douché admitted. “And we have some good depth at the club so I am confident we can keep our run going.
“Our Val Murphy side is going well, so anyone who steps up will handle it.”
Backrower Euston Eparaima returns after an HIA injury and Douche is hoping Justin Buckley and Kallum Gulliver Brown will be ready. Kani Solomon could also be back from injury as well.
Photo – Total Sports Photography – Jeremy Wallace away at CAS
Koby Rafferty, cousin of former Sea Eagle Jessie Rafferty, could make his debut at hooker.
“It always is a challenge at this time of year to get players to training and maintain consistency, but if we stick to our structures, as we did so well against Rockingham last week, then we should be OK,” Douché added.
Willagee coach Nelson Davis is excited about the idea of blooding young talent.
“We’ve been prepping for this week for some time,” he said.
“We have been giving some of our young guys the chance of first grade for a few weeks, so this weekend will test out our depth.”
The Bears have five players on State duty, including captain Kainoa Gudgeon, but welcome back Kelvin Coleman and Jackson Hanson from injury.
Photo – Kainoa Gudgeon – Jayden Evans away at CAS
“Even though Beach will lose players as well, they have good depth and will be a tough side to beat,” Davis added.
“There’s a lot of unpredictables this weekend and that’s exciting. It may surprise us.”
Fremantle Roosters will be missing three key players for their home tie against Rockingham.
Delane Edwards, Eli Beatie and Ezra Taimoa are all on State duty, and coach Duane Butler has a worrying injury list to add to his selection concerns.
Bjorn Crotty, Nick Riggs, Luke-David Wells-Talamaivao and Ryan Woolley are all absent, but Butler remains confident his new-look side can get back to winning ways.
Photo – Liam Sallur – Ezra Taomia away at CAS
“We’re all hurting a bit after last week’s loss at South Perth, it’s been a disappointing year so far,” he said.
“Injuries and Fifo and a change in personnel in some areas has seen us struggle, but we must learn to play to 80 minutes,” he said.
“So far we’re probably only playing 50 or 60. It’s a mental thing we need to overcome. We train well and our physicality is good, we just need to stay in the grind the whole game.”
“We have three games now until the next NRL bye and we have to win them to stay in the race.”
Butler though, knows Rockingham, despite their losses, can be dangerous.
“They have some eager young guys, wanting to make their mark. They will want to play,” he warned.
The Sharks have influential forward Chris Siddons and hooker Derek Chizuni away in Melbourne and coach Pete Worth will once again look to youth to fill the gaps.
Photo – Libby McMillan – Derek Chizuni away at CAS
Crocket Henry is another key player missing, also away on rep duties as Worth tries to keep his struggling squad focused.
“We had a fun training night on Tuesday and it brought some smiles to faces,” Worth said.
“It’s important for their mindset on a cold and wet night in June.
“There will be a few debuts – more young fellas given their chance.”