Fremantle Roosters 16 – Willagee Bears 30
By PETER ROWE
Willagee Bears emerged victorious from their Fuel to Go & Play Premiership clash at Treeby Oval – a game both coaches praised for its quality in poor conditions.
It was Fremantle who scored first through halfback Ishmael Leilua as the Roosters sought to get an early advantage.
But John Leota soon levelled it up and Bears captain Kainoa Gudgeon scored with a superb individual effort before winger Manfred Kelly gave the visitors a lead they would never give up as the Bears battled to control the game.
“We had a good start but a few handling errors cost us,” player-coach Duane Butler said.
“We got in front but let them back in, it’s the story of our season.”
Butler who limped off early with a knee injury that could see him sidelined for some weeks, praised his half Sonny Kerr who had a “beast” of a game. “He took a few knocks, but got up and carried on,” Butler added.
Giant prop Manny Maliko was Bears coach Nelson Davis’ man of the match, for his effort up the middle and being involved in a couple of tries.
“We were against the wind in the first half but were much more controlled in the second period with it behind us,” Davis said.
“It was a grind to begin with, we missed a couple of early chances so we knew we couldn’t let up.
“We led 14-6 at the break after a tough first half where Freo played really well, we knew we were in a contest, This was perhaps our toughest this season.
“I wanted to see how we would react after going behind and we reacted well.”
Davis liked the look of the first half tries and was pleased with the performance.
“Freo lost a couple with injuries and I think they tired as the game wore on, so we took control.”
Maliko then stepped up with no Michael Fotu in the forwards and caused havoc, with a breakaway run and several ball playing efforts to set up their go-forward.
“He was awesome, as was Kainoa (Gudgeon) and Matty (Landsdown),” Davis said.
Leota, winger Saimoni Qaranivalu and Kelly again crossed in a second half period of domination that saw three tries added to the three in the first half.
Leilua scored a second before TJ Marunga came off the bench late for a consolation try for the Roosters in the final minutes, with the game already won.
“Our play the ball errors killed us,” Butler admitted. “We need to be able to stay in the grind for the whole game, not just short periods.”
