ALL SYSTEMS GO FOR FAB FRIDAY – NRLWA IS BACK
By PETER ROWE
With the NRL double-header in Perth this weekend, what better way to kick off the Premiership that with a Friday night derby round – a Fab Friday to launch the 2026 season.
With nine teams this season the Fuel to Go and Play Premiership is going to be a blockbuster.
Round One kicks off on Friday evening with some mouthwatering games – a northern and a new southern derby, a game between last season’s beaten grand finalists and a team returning to the big time for the first time in a decade and a potential thriller between two teams with a long history of rivalry.
At Webber Reserve defending premiers Willagee Bears face off against fierce rivals Fremantle Roosters. Two teams for years only a few kilometres apart.
Staying south of the river, a new-look South Perth welcome new boys Kalamunda Bulldogs and their former coach Duane Gwiazdzinski.
And further south a new derby is born as the Rockingham Sharks host Kwinana Titans and up north another derby is reignited as Joondalup Giants meet the North Beach Sea Eagles.
The Bears have strengthened from last season, if that was possible, in both the forwards and the backs and coach Nelson Davis has an almost embarrassment of riches when he sits down this week to select his team.
“It’s a tough selection process,” Davis said. “It may come down to fine details as this will be a big opening round game.”
Tamaho Tierney will miss out with a calf injury so Matt Lansdown will partner Kainoa Gudgeon in the halves with new signing Kobe Aiesi at hooker.
And the ‘big’ news this week from Webber Reserve is that giant forward Emmanuel Maliko is set to play, after earlier signaling his intention to take a year off.
“Manny came to watch our recent trial game and got itchy feet,” Davis said. “So we’re delighted to have him back.”
Fremantle player-coach Duane Butler knows this will be a tough first round for his side, but he too has been quietly adding some strength to a team that is always in contention come finals time.
“This will be a massive game,” Butler said. “And yes, there probably is a bit of payback after they beat us at our place in the finals last year.”
Recent recruit Harry Debique is likely to play at fullback, although could interchange with the experienced Delane Edwards in the halves in a powerful looking side that will have to go toe-to-toe with Willagee’s big pack.
Eli Beattie is back from a stint in Queensland and with Joe Pouhila on the other edge they have firepower across the field.
Ryan Woolley misses out after he tore a hamstring two weeks ago.
“It’s tough on Ryan, he’s been so injury prone recently, Hopefully he will be back soon,” Butler said.
“But we have a team full of energy and we want to get back in the winners’ circle this year.
“It’s a long season, we have a new crew and new systems. Playing Willagee first up is a big ask, but you have to play with the cards you are dealt. We’ll be ready.”
The Lions have rebuilt for 2026 – gone are several key players, including Ken Allen medal winner Samisoni Langi, hooker Jayden Evans and Debique.
New coach John Crawford replaced Anton Clutterbuck a few weeks ago as the latter was forced to step down due to work commitments.
“I’ve been at the helm for about a month, so we’ve had good preparation,” Crawford said.
“We’ve lost a couple from last year but gained some good talent – and Kade McDonald is back with us after a year playing in France.
“As for our opponents Kalamunda, it’s a hard one to predict. But as always we will give them respect, as we do all the clubs.”
For Gwiazdzinski the quick return to George Burnett Park will be an interesting one.
“I have no issues, we’ve moved on and I have a job to do with Kalamunda now,” he said.
“This is the first time in 10 years we have played at this level, so it will be a challenge. It will be a test and we don’t have the resources of some of the other clubs, but it’s a chance for some of our lads to play at the highest level.”
Rockingham coach John Hough departed the club abruptly earlier in the week so assistant Reece Potter will step up to lead the Sharks for round one, assisted by Sam Capes and stalwart Peter Worth.
A trial game against North Beach saw mixed results and has given Potter a chance to tweak the buildup ahead of the visit of Kwinana for round one.
He will have the choice of three haves to select from with David Quinlin, Crockett Henry and Sean Scott all fit after a positive preseason, and with captain Ben Bolth in the back row and Chris Siddons at lock, they look not have a strong pack.
Titans coach Lewis Samuels has also been working hard on fitness and a trial game against Fremantle last week gave him an insight into what to expect in 2026.
Props Ben and Ant Russell have joined from South Perth and a young Kiwi fullback, Petara Wanihou is one to watch out for.
“We have no big expectations other than to be competitive,” Samuels said. “We’re aiming to lift the standards at the club – across all the grades. We have enough to field three teams.
“It’s going to be a long season and we have been working really hard on strength and conditioning. We’re excited to be in the premiership. We’ll be ready.”
There are so many new first grade coaches this season – and two will be making their debuts for their respective clubs at Admiral Park.
Matt Gowland will lead his Giants out to face Marty Collis’ North Beach in what may see as a mouthwatering clash that could go either way.
Both men bring experience to the roles, Collis at South Perth and with State juniors and Gowland from his time with the SG Ball Pirates, so it’s not a baptism of fire.
But both have been working hard with their respective teams over the summer months – blending youth with experience, looking for the right combinations to launch a successful year.
There’s a minor doubt over veteran Taurean Sheehan, who Gowland has described as a ‘new player’, but otherwise the Giants will be at full strength.
“I’ve had to tell a couple they didn’t make the team, but they understand and I know they will battle to get back into our 17,” Gowland said.
“But I have also had a couple so excited they are telling me they can’t sleep!”
Joondalup are hoping for a big crowd for their opening game of the season, with North Beach expected to take a strong travelling support north to Admiral Park.
“Junior coaches have been calling me asking what time kickoff is,” Gowland said. “Everyone at the club is excited and we want to build a Fortress here where clubs fear coming to.”
If the Giants are to take the points Gowland knows they will have to maintain ball control and cut out errors.
“Cut out errors in the backs and forwards to step up on defence, that’s been our message this week.
“We have three debuts as well – two on the wing and one centre so I’m looking forward to seeing what they can achieve.”
Gowland knows Beach will have a new-look team and may offer a different set of options.
“They will want to give the ball some air and play expansive football, so we have talked about that.” he said.
Beach have had a massive turnaround of players over the summer with only four remaining from the 17 that started their finals game last year.
“There will be a few club juniors that will be looking to make their debuts, which is exciting,” Collis said.
“It’s been a good preseason and we’ve had good numbers. It;s been a long preseason as well – 10 weeks -so everyone is excited to get the season underway.”
Beach will be without Jeremy Wallace for much of the season, due to national touch commitments and Kallum Gulliver Brown sustained concussion in their final trial game two weeks ago so will sit this one out.
“Jeremy’s got the chance to play for Australia in the over 30’s team and we would want him to achieve that,” Collis said. “He might be available later in the year.”
Collis knows Joondalup will not be an easy opening game. “They had a disappointing season last year so will want to improve on that and I expect they will. New coach new players. We know it will be a battle.
“As for us, we’ve worked hard across preseason, worked on our combinations and had two trials, so we are confident.”
