BY PETER ROWE
From last to first has to be seen as a major success and that is what the South Perth Lions achieved in 2025 as PETER ROWE found out when he spoke to Lions coach Duane Gwiazdzinski.
2024 will go down as a massive disappointment for the red and white army at George Burnett Park, but 2025 was very different.
The club were adamant another wooden spoon would not happen and went looking for change.
They found that with the appointment of new coach Duane Gwiazdzinski, a very articulate Kiwi who had played the game at a high level back across the ditch before taking up a role on the sidelines.
Photo – Carmel Potter-Green
Son-in-law Samisoni Langi was his on-field general, but a proactive recruitment program over the off-season, led by Paul Brown, saw the club build a squad that everyone in the game knew would be a serious challenger for honours in 2025.
“To be honest we didn’t really set out any specific targets for the year,” Gwiazdzinski said.
“We knew we had to be better than the previous season and the president Seb (Derham) wanted to change a lot of things, for the good, and I think we did.
“Seb called it a building year. We played some good footy, started well, stumbled mid-season then came good again. But we didn’t play well in the grand final.”
Photo – Total Sports Photography
The outcomes, given where they finished, were positive. From last to first and a minor premiership and the club of the year award.
And for Gwiazdzinski it was also about giving players the opportunity to play first grade.
“Seven guys made it through the grades to play,” he said.
“I honestly believe across the regular season we were the best, we unfortunately didn’t perform on grand final day.
“But the club came together, we had good turnouts at training and achieved success.”
The highlight of the year was clearly a grand final appearance, but there were other positives.
“Soni (Langi) winning the Ken Allen Medal – a tremendous honour for him and the club,” Gwiazdzinski said.
“Jayden Evans winning hooker of the year. He’s a great kid, has learned a lot and will get better.
Photo – Total Sports Photography
“And people buying into what we wanted to achieve – that was nice to see.”
There were few lowlights or disappointments – of course losing in that grand final against Willagee, but Gwiazdzinski was quick to congratulate the opposition. “They played very well, especially in that second half and deserved to win,” he added.
“But I can’t really think of too many bad days.”
For Gwiazdzinski one of the best players of the year came from that Willagee team, lock Rangi Thompson.
Photo – Total Sports Photography
“I thought he was their best on the field on grand final day. He had a really good game,” Gwiazdzinski said.
“But across the season Kobi Aeisi from North Beach was exciting to watch and I’m a great fan of Trey Emery at Rockingham. He plays hard and clean.
“Of course Soni and Kainoa (Gudgeon) are up there as the two best performers throughout the year and Tamaho Tierney was another who had a solid season. A very intelligent player.
“I liked Joondalup skipper Taurean Sheehan, a quality player who reads the game so well. And I can’t forget Eli Beattie from Fremantle – another good season and it doesn’t surprise me he won their player of the year award.”
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Kobi Aiesi, Trey Emery & Taurean Sheehan
Photo – Total Sports Photography/Libby McMillan/Dave Van Heek
And South Perth, who stood out for the coach in a team that achieved so much?
“Jayden Evans, the best hooker in the league. Jordan Tumoana had a fantastic season. He didn’t play until round five or six and when he did he was always scoring tries.
“Mason Hiko was awesome, even though we only had him part-time because of work commitments. Soni and Harry (Debique) of course and Ben Russell stepped up from reserve grade and did a great job for me.”
Photo – Total Sports Photography
For Gwiazdzinski though the player we should all watch out for, perhaps next season, is Armstrong Maliko, the younger brother of Willagee’s Emmanuel Maliko.
‘Played third grade last season, only 19 I think, a hooker or edge forward. He could go far.”
Gwiazdzinski said he couldn’t recall any funny moments at the club before remembering the day 80 club members tried to get into the small changing room at the club after a win to sing the club song.
“They were stacked high, stood on benches, everywhere. I wondered how the hell we’d fit everyone in,” he joked.
“It was a really great atmosphere but made me laugh at the same time.”
Some things that didn’t make the coach laugh were players leaving during the season and times when game plans or structures were abandoned in a game.
“It happens at all clubs but when players don’t do what’s good for the whole team, it can be frustrating,” he admitted.
“Keeping structures is key – it then gives you the opportunity to do your own stuff if needed. I know you play what’s in front of you but when players go off script it certainly can create that Grrr… moment.”
There is very little, in hindsight, Gwiazdzinski says he would do differently.
“The objectives Seb and I had were to build the club as a whole and I think we have started that process. The club came first, not a premiership. We did what we did and now, it’s history.”
Photo – Carmel Potter-Green
So for 2026. What comes next at George Burnett Park?
‘I think most the lads want to play again and we’ve identified where we might need to strengthen. We have a few older players who won’t be around forever, so we will need to build a team for the future,” Gwiazdzinski said.
“There’s a club review every year and the president and I are on the same page.
“We’re a family club, All in it together across all the grades and we’d like to have a women’s tackle team to add to what we have already.”
Under good management on and off the field, the new year will see South Perth and Duane Gwiazdzinski challenging for honours again.
Photo – Total Sports Photography