By PETER ROWE
Willagee captain Kainoa Gudgeon is set to make a surprise return this weekend for the Fuel to Go & Play preliminary final at George Burnett Park (kickoff 4.50pm) as the Bears and the Roosters go head-to-head for a 2026 grand final spot.
After losing narrowly to South Perth last weekend the defending premiers will be at full strength for a ‘derby’ game that could swing either way.
Fremantle are traditionally a September team, always strong in finals, and the halves match-up of Gudgeon and Delane Edwards will be one to savour.
The Bears will also have winger Saimoni Qaranivalu available after his send off last weekend was declared sufficient by the match review committee on Monday.
“We are looking very strong,” coach Nelson Davis said.
“Having Kainoa back is a big in for us. He’s been training through his injury, so he’s ready to go.”
Gudgeon fractured his eye socket in the round 12 clash with South Perth in early July and it was thought he would miss the rest of the season, but after being given clearance by his doctor this week, he could team up with Matt Lansdown in the halves – as Tamaho Tierney picked up a foot injury against the Lions last weekend.
Izzy Lolohea looks to have recovered from his injury and is set to start at fullback and Davis will have Kelvin Coleman, Michael Fotu and Brent Crisp all available from the bench.
“Although we lost, I took a lot of positives from the game last week,” Davis said. “At times we may have looked a bit flat and fatigued, but our effort was second to none.”
“We have had a good week and everyone is over the disappointment of the loss, it’s another elimination game of sorts. We’ll be ready and our game-plan is solid. I think our balance as a team is right. The result showed us we are not unbeatable and actually it has helped us focus for this weekend.”
Davis has massive respect for Fremantle and will not be taking the preparation for this game lightly.
“They have some quality players and the unpredictability of Delane Edwards is there for all to see. Yes, it will be a very interesting clash of the halves,” he said.
“They can quite easily control the narrative if things go their way. All to play for.”
Fremantle player-coach Duane Butler knows his side has the ability and the strength to win.
“There’s no home advantage, although I’m sure they will bring a big following,” Butler said.
Wet weather is forecast so ball handling could be key.
“We have the team to do the job, but we will need to be disciplined, error free and keep our structure. Getting the simple things right is going to be vital. Get that working and then the flamboyant football might be able to come later in the game.”
Sony Kerr, Taiapa Graham are two big additions to the squad and prop Gethin Thomas should be fit. Eli Beattie is also another big possibility.
“We were a bit short last week, but we got the job done,” Butler added.
“When we played them in Round 1 they touched us up a bit, but we have improved as the season has progressed and this will be a different game.”
Butler is unlikely to figure. He came back from injury last weekend but has suffered with a sore knee all week and admitted he will probably stay on the sideline.
“I don’t really focus too much on the opposition. It’s more about what we can do,” he said.
“Winning the ruck, kicking long into the corners and not dropping the football. No early flashy stuff. It’s finals footy, so it’s about the little things that give you an edge.”
The Roosters have yet to beat Willagee this season, they came close in Round 9.
One team is coming off a narrow loss, the other gaining momentum from a narrow win.
Too close to call are the thoughts of many – but for one team a grand final awaits.
