Photo – Carmel Potter-Green
By PETER ROWE
After a break for the annual Anzac Challenge, the Fuel To Go & Play Premiership resumes this weekend with the game of the round set to see two unbeaten sides go head-to-head in a mouthwatering clash at George Burnett Park.
South Perth, after wins over Kalamunda and Joondalup, host reigning premiers Willagee, who have impressed so far with victories over Fremantle and Kwinana.
Bears coach Nelson Davis has a couple of niggling injuries that will keep him from making an early team selection, but he is confident they can keep their run going.
“South Perth are a very good team but a different threat to Fremantle. Well balanced with good forwards to match ours,” he said.
“They controlled the ruck well and so usually do we, so it may well be a battle there as to who can do it better. If we can eliminate our mistakes then I am confident.”
Tamaho Tierney is still four weeks away from playing. The half injured his calf recovering from a work-related back injury and Davis said it wasn’t worth risking him too soon.
“We have some good depth so let’s get Tamaho right and not rush him back,” the coach said. Kelvin Coleman makes his first start of the year in the halves.
“Ruck speed is key to the game,” Davis added. “South Perth like a quick play the ball and we have to be wary of that. It’s going to be a cracker of a game.”
For the Lions it’s a 2025 grand final rematch, although new coach John Crawford said that game was now in the past.
“I think we only have four players from that game now,” he said. “So it’s not really been talked about.”
Crawford will have veterans Daniel Green and Eddie Proudler available for the game, and possibly Kade Mcdonald.
“It’s a big game and it will be a test to see where we are at, although I’m not too concerned as it’s still very early in the season,” he said.
“Willagee are a very good side and if we play the full 80 minutes then we are in the game.”
Further south two match-ups take place as Kwinana Titans host their first premiership game of the season with Ellenbrook the visitors and at Port Kennedy’s Franklin Offshore Stadium, the Rockingham Sharks will host Kalamunda – with both teams recording a win and a loss so far this season.
The Sharks will be without captain Ben Bolth who is recovering from a pec injury, but coach Reece Potter welcomes back influential half Dave Quinlin and halves partner Crockett Henry.
“It’s going to be an interesting clash between Quinlin and Soni Langi,” Potter said.
“Two very good players. I will make a few changes to the side but we are ready again after the break.
“I watched the Kalamunda game against Ellenbrook and they played very well. A big pack so we will have to try and shut them down.”
Kalamunda coach Duane Gwiazdzinski reports no injuries from that win over the Rabbitohs as he looks to see how his new-look side is progressing.
“We are improving with every game. Still learning as it is a big jump from Val Murphy to first grade, but we have some leaders out there on the field who are working hard – and others are following,” he said.
“I always thought it would take five to six weeks to get to where we want to be and that’s still the case.
“Against Ellenbrook our middles stood up and the structures are coming good.
“This is another challenge, Rocky have some good players so it’s going to be another tough game.”
Kwinana will face the Bunnies at nearby Wellard Oval as their Thomas Oval field is still undergoing major improvements and player-coach Lewis Samuels is confident his side can give a good account of themselves.
“We have a few back from injury, It’s probably our best side so far this year,” he said.
“We’ve had a tough start to the season and it’s a big step up to first grade, but we’re here for the longterm.”
Forwards Ben and Ant Russell will debut as will Caleb Tamata in the centres, a union convert Samuels has high hopes for.
And Tyrell West is another new name, likely to appear in the halves after starting the season as a back-row forward.
“He’s a young indigenous kid who has shown a lot of promise in training and deserves his place,” Samuels said.
Dan Manning knows his Ellenbrook side will need to be on top form if they are to take the points and he is expecting a physical game.
“I’m leaving selection until late as we have a few FIFO boys and we’ve been working on a few things during the break. Fixing up those one-per-centres and focusing on our defence,” he said.
“It’s a difficult game to predict because I don’t know what to expect from Kwinana as they are a new team, so from a coaching point of view it’s always a dangerous proposition.
“It’s their first home game in the Premiership so they will be up for it – and we have to be prepared.”
For Manning it will be about solid defence, line speed and the need to start the game well.
“We didn’t against Kalamunda and it cost us,” he said. “We had a good middle section of the game then fell away at the end, so we have to fix that up.”
North Beach, having had a three-week rest, resume their season when they host Fremantle at Blueforce Park in a game that is traditionally hard to pick.
New coach Marty Collis is hoping to put on a good show for fans in their first home game of the season, but knows it will be a tough encounter, as games between these two sides always are.
Jeremy Wallace will be missing, but Trent Trotter could make a welcome return to Sea Eagles colours and Collis confirmed all his injuries from the round one clash at Joondalup are now behind them.
“Jeremy has touch footy responsibilities, so we’re hoping Trent will be ready,” Collis said.
“We had a couple of head-knocks at Joondalup but they are all OK now. Everyone is refreshed and ready to go.”
Beach are a new-look team this year and after only one game Collis admitted it was still early days.
“This will be only our second game so we are still working on combinations – we’re definitely not the finished product.”
An open fast game is predicted and Collis is hoping to get more width from his team when they move the ball.
“Against Joondalup much of the pay was up the middle and our outside backs didn’t get much ball.
“Fremantle are a different challenge with so much quality across the park, two very good centres, players like Delane (Edwards), Duane (Butler), Roydon (Gillett) and Eli (Beattie).
“If we can control the ball better then we will be in the contest.”
Fremantle will be without Beattie (away on FIFO work), but call up Joe Pouhila as his replacement for the game.
Roosters player-coach Duane Butler has an almost close to full-strength side available but knows games historically between these two sides have been close.
“Yes, we’ve won a few and so have they and we are still working on our systems,” he said.
“Beach are a young side, full of pace. Bowman Stein in the middle is a danger and I think the last 20 minutes might prove crucial. Who is the fittest and who wants it more.
“I hope we can put the result to bed early and muscle up when we need to.”