By PETER ROWE
It has been billed as a dress rehearsal for the finals and Saturday’s Blueforce Cup clash between the Sea Eagles and the Lions is undoubtably the game of Round 15 in this season’s Fuel to Go and Play Premiership.
Second (North Beach) at home to first (South Perth) is always a mouthwatering affair and this latest edition has all the hallmarks of being another game to savour.
After last week’s win over Willagee the Lions will be looking to confirm the minor premiership, but Sea Eagles coach Phil Douché wants to see a big response from his side after their recent oss to Fremantle.
“We had a really good truth and honesty session led by the players on Tuesday night, Douché said.
“Everyone knows what is expected of them and we know this weekend has to be better than last week.”
With most clubs missing players through either injury or work at this time of the season, Douché is hoping this drop-off in form is over.
“It’s usually in June we suffer a lull in performance, but this year it’s July,” he joked.
Blueforce Cup in 2024 / Photo – North Beach Rugby League Club
“For some of the young players who have stepped up this season it’s a learning process and they have all bought in, so I’m expecting a return to form.”
Hooker Kobi Aeisi is back and his duel with Jayden Evans around the ruck will be a potential highlight of the game, although the Sea Eagles will be without forward Shane Gillham.
Douché has reported a few soft tissue injuries from the Fremantle game, but is hoping all will recover. Jaylen Grey looks like returning, although fullback Bailey Millar is still not fully recovered from surgery on a nose injury and is probably not likely to be back on the paddock until the finals.
For Lions coach Duane Gwiazdzinski it’s also one game at a time, but one this week that has some history and one that has to be taken seriously.
“It’s an important game for both clubs and of course if we win we should get home advantage in the finals, but aside from minor premiership bragging rights, it’s also about getting our squad in tune for what will be a busy few weeks,” Gwiazdzinski said.
North Beach wins Blueforce Cup in 2024 / Photo – North Beach Rugby League Club
“So it’s not just ‘another’ game.”
Mason Hiko returns to add some punch up the middle but there is no Corban Daniels or Logan Barclay, both carrying injuries.
“I have some tough calls to make in our centres, for sure,” Gwiazdzinski admitted.
But Jayden Evans will be looking to continue his good form and will relish the opportunity to go up against Aeisi, arguably two of the best hookers in the game.
“That will be an interesting tussle,” Gwiazdzinski added. “I have coached both players, Kobi for the Kiwi Anzac team and of course Jayden here at the Lions.”
Fremantle player-coach Duane Butler is keeping his player’s feet firmly on the ground after their impressive win at North Beach last weekend.
Talk in the game is of a late charge from the Roosters into the finals, but Butler is another who wants to take it one game at a time.
“Yes, I’m hearing the talk about us coming good at this time the season, but it really is about this weekend,” Butler said.
“Respect to Joondalup our opponents and staying grounded, keeping players focussed on what is in front of them this Saturday.”
Butler was happy with his side’s performance in Round 14, and will field pretty much the same squad for the visit to Treeby Oval of the Giants.
Fremantle are keeping their feet on the ground / Photo – Carmel Potter-Green
Backrower Brandon White is away working, but Jaydon Solomon returns and veteran Bjorn Crotty is also a possible returnee.
Training has been stepped up at the club this week, with Butler asking more questions of his players, trying to build a game mentality into their twice-a-week sessions.
“Everyone has bought in,” Butler said. “The boys are confident and we know we have a few tough weeks ahead of us, so we have to keep winning.”
Butler also has respect for visitors Joondalup and knows they will present a challenge.
Giants will be without veteran playmaker Marshall / Photo – Joondalup Giants RLC
“A young side, full of talent who will want to get one over us, so we will not be taking this game lightly,” the coach added.
Joondalup will be without the suspended Gus Marshall, so will look to the likes of young halves Brody Dunn and Tiger Williams to guide them around the park.
The game is a 4.30pm kickoff.
Rockingham Sharks coach Pete Worth is another who has seen his young team grow in stature as the season has progressed, so he will want to take some positives from their visit to Webber Reserve to play third-place Willagee Bears, kick-off 4.30pm.
The Bears are another team fine tuning ahead of the finals and coach Nelson Davis has a few players returning after their loss to South Perth last week.
Former Shark Kelvin Coleman is back, as is Manfred Kelly in the backs and Michael Fotu is another big in – in the forwards.
Bulldozer Michael Fotu returns / Photo – Carmel Potter-Green
But strike forward Emmanuel Maliko is still missing through injury.
“I was proud of the boys last week even though we lost,” Davis said. “But we have to be prepared to play 80 minutes this weekend.
“The Sharks have got some momentum and they scored 30 points on us last time we met – 16 in the last eight minutes.
“We’ve been patchy lately and only good in 20-minute bursts, so we know we must be better than that.”
Kainoa Gudgeon will once again lead in the halves. “He leads by example,” Davis added.
The Bears have stepped up to challenge what Worth considers the ‘heavyweights’ of the game this season and are looking to host the elimination final against the Roosters in a few weeks time.
But the Sharks, despite a poor season by their standards, have found some form in recent weeks and can pose a threat to any of the top four.
Rockingham Sharks youngsters look to finish strong / Photo – Rockingham Sharks RLC
“We’ve come along way this season and it is so pleasing to see many of our young players not just step up but take some ownership as well,” Worth said.
“They’ve never stopped showing up for training, willing to listen and learn and we are building something good here.
“They are now comfortable in their roles and are building resilience in their game when it comes to hanging in there for a win.”
But like every other club, they are victims of the game’s ‘seventh’ team – Fifo – so gun hooker Jarred Whitty will be missing for this clash.
“We have a couple out and a couple in, but we will turn up for the game,” Worth noted.
“We had a good recovery session on Tuesday night and we all want to finish the season on a high.”