FOUR TEAMS, TWO GAMES – IMPOSSIBLE TO PREDICT
By PETER ROWE
There are no odds offered to predict the outcome of this weekend’s two blockbuster semi-final games of the NRLWA Fuel to Go and Play Premiership.
But if there were, they would be so close that neither game would offer a reasonable price.
South Perth Lions v North Beach Sea Eagles: the reigning premiers travelling south to face the 2025 minor premiers in a game that will see the victors advance straight to the grand final at Dorrien Gardens on September 6.
And a do-or-die elimination final between two local rivals as the Willagee Bears travel the short distance down the freeway to face off against the Fremantle Roosters.
Four teams, two games and not an odds-on favourites stake in sight.
The Lions have experienced an amazing season, turning around the disappointment of last year when they finished bottom, to take out the minor premiership under new coach Duane Gwiazdzinski.
With son-in-law Samisoni Langi his on-field general, Gwiazdzinski has engineered a remarkable turnaround.
Samisoni Langi has been on fire for the Lions / Photo – Carmel Potter-Green
A season that has seen them pip their opponents on Saturday on points scored and against after both sides finished the regular season with 12 wins and four losses.
The sides have met three times this season, twice at Charles Riley Reserve, where the Sea Eagles won both games (44-6 and 18-14), and once at George Burnett Park, way back in round four, when Langi was the star of the show as the Lions romped home 32-18.
Since that opening encounter in May, both have lost games, the most notable was probably the shock loss the Sea Eagles suffered at Rockingham, and both have managed their way through a series of injuries.
But that is all behind them as the slate is wiped clean and a place in the grand final beckons.
Of course the loser gets another chance, but neither coach would prefer that path – both wanting to get the game won and have that extra week to prepare.
“I know if we finished top two we get two chances, but I also know neither Phil Douché or myself think that way,” coach Duane Gwiazdzinski said.
“At this time of year the plan is to play two more games – this weekend and then the grand final.”
It’s a comment that resonates with Douché. “It’s a privilege to have that second chance but we’re one game away from that GF and that’s how we plan it,” he said.
Both teams will be strong, Ceri Cummins the only player from either side facing a late fitness test, and both will be focused on the result.
Ceri Cummins faces a late fitness test for the weekend / Photo – Carmel Potter-Green
Few adjustments at this time of year, strong defence and minimising any unforced errors, especially when in possession.
“Attention to detail” as Gwiazdzinski calls it.
“Our forwards are a mix of strength, size, speed and experience. Our backs have been good all year. It’s is going to be a battle.
“I’m sure, no certain, that North Beach will thinking the same way. They will be up for it.”
For Gwiazdzinski, a contender for coach of the year after taking the Lions from last to first in one season, it has been a building process. Blending players together as he injects his ideas into how he has wanted his team to play.
“A lot of hard work from everyone at the club,” he said.
Jaylen “Skinny” Grey looms as a key man for the Sea Eagles / Photo – Total Sports Photography
“It’s important for us now to be the best version of ourselves. If we don’t get the chocolates it will because we were beaten by the better side.”
Douché has been here before – a few times – but he knows he has to ensure his players are also focused and in the right mindset.
When they lost at Rockingham a few weeks ago in the upset of the season he confirmed after the game he had spotted the wrong mental approach in the warmup, admitting he felt early on that this was not to be their day.
This week the mood has been very different.
“We had a good session on Tuesday night and everyone bought in,” he said.
“Fine tuning what we have done well all season. Strong defence and staying in the process.”
Shane Gillham, Bowman Stein and Bailey Millar return to the side, but Douché is also aware of the dangers the opposition present.
“Langi is a big threat,” he said. “And so is (hooker) Jayden Evans. They are very good side, consistent in how they play.
“We’ve studied their game in video sessions so know where we have to put pressure on when they have the ball.”
Bailey Millar returns in a massive in for the Sea Eagles / Photo – Total Sports Photography
Both coaches have talked a lot about the privilege of playing in finals and both have expressed that view on their players.
Now both are anxiously waiting to see how their respective sides react and rise to the challenge.
Meanwhile a few kilometres south at Treeby Oval another battle will be taking shape.
The Fremantle Roosters have had to overcome a shaky start to the year to eventually find form and make the four.
A gutsy win on the final day of the regular season two weeks ago – over their opponents this weekend – earned them the right to host Willagee in a game that will see the winner progress to face the loser of the Lions v Sea Eagles game, and the loser will head for Silly Sunday.
And, like the other semi-final, this game is virtually impossible to predict. The teams have met three times over the course of the season with the Bears coming out on top twice – a come-from-behind 26-20 win at Treeby in May and a solid Kainoa Gudgeon-led 30-4 win a month later before a rejuvenated Roosters side won a classic 36-34 two weeks ago.
Kainoa Gudgeon has been a revelation for the Bears / Photo – Carmel Potter-Green
Both teams have struggled with injuries and work commitments, but both will be at full strength for this battle – a battle that is likely to be won in the forwards, where both sides have some big bruisers capable of creating havoc in opposing defences.
Willagee, coach Nelson Davis believes, will have their strongest team of the year on the field.
Forwards Emmanuel Maliko, Jackson Hansen, Michael Fotu and Malakai Chan Boon are all available – all playing together for the first time this season.
“Work and injuries have combined to prevent them playing in the same team together, but they are ready now,” coach Davis said.
Michael Fotu is just one of the big bopper returning for the Bears / Photo – Carmel Potter-Green
“It’s going to be a physical game and we will need to sustain that physicality for long periods to enable our backs to go to work. It will give us options and we have some great attacking weapons.”
One such weapon is captain and halfback Kainoa Gudgeon. The 2020 Ken Allen Medal winner is a contender again this year, along with South Perth’s Soni Langi, and will be the player the Roosters will need to contain.
“Yes, he’s a key player, but he can’t do everything,” Davis said. “He needs options and for others around him to complete their roles. Stay in their lanes and do their jobs.”
Halfback Tamaho Tierney and Kelvin Coleman are also key to any potential Willagee victory, but for Davis it’s all about a team effort and not getting caught up in the moment.
“Keep grounded and focused. Don’t overplay the game and stick to your individual roles.” That was the message from Webber Reserve.
“The game will be won up the middle, if we win that battle then options will open up for us.”
Fremantle player-coach Duane Butler knows it will be a physical game and has prepared his team to manage that.
“They (Willagee) have some big props and they will want to play up the middle. We just have to make sure they don’t,” Butler said.
The FIFO contingent flew back into Perth on Wednesday, so Butler has added an extra training run on Friday to make sure everyone is on the same page.
“Sonny (Kerr), Ezra (Taimoa) and Jules (Wilson Wyllie) are back and Brandon White is ft again in the back row.”
Fremantle get Julz Wilson Wylie and others back / Photo – Liam Sallur
Delane Edwards is still a 50-50 but is expected to be on the bench. ‘He’s had a sore calf for a couple of weeks,” Butler said.
“But Lewis (Goodsell) has been playing really well in the halves and he has a good kicking game. With Sonny alongside him I think we will be strong.”
Tuakana Rangihaeata returns at fullback, so it will be interesting to see how the Bears cope with his surging runs.
Tuakana also returns in a massive lift for the Roosters / Photo – Liam Sallur
For Fremantle knock-out elimination football has not been one of their strengths in recent finals series. The Roosters have lost to Joondalup and Rockingham, but Butler knows that will change if his team sticks to the game plan.
“We have every intention of playing again next week,” he said confidently.