By PETER ROWE
The highlight of Fuel to Go & Play Premiership Round 11 games this weekend could lie out east in Kalamunda where two teams who have stepped up to first grade this season will meet.
And both teams – Kalamunda Bulldogs and the Ellenbrook Rabbitohs – are still in the hunt for a playoff spot.
That may surprise some neutrals or newcomers to the local game, but it hasn’t shocked those in the know as both have shown they are more than capable of competing at the higher level.
The Dogs and the Bunnies have won and lost games and when they meet at Hartfield Park on Saturday afternoon it really is hard to predict a winner
Kalamunda coach Duane Gwiazdzinski knows his side will need to play better than last week, when they lost to second on the ladder South Perth, a defeat he puts down to too many errors.
“We’re relatively injury free, but our key aim is to cut out the silly errors,” he told NRLWA Media.
“Play the ball errors, kickoffs and just handling the ball. If we can reduce those then we have a great chance to win.”
Fullback Robbie Jones returns to the side that has contributed much to the competition this season and Gwiazdzinski is hoping the learning process, as he calls it, continues with 2025 Ken Allen medallist Soni Langi his on-field conductor.
‘Errors have cost us in quite a few games, so that is important because Ellenbrook are a good side, improving like us, and when they get into the grind they are tough opponents,” Gwiazdzinski added.
“It will be a tough game, both sides are big and physical and both will want to win to keep alive playoff hopes.”
Ellenbrook coach Dan Manning has had the bye weekend off, so his side will be fresh and raring to go.
“We gave our bench players the chance to play in Val Murphy at the weekend to give them game time and they came through unscathed,” Manning said.
“It’s so tight in the race for the fourth playoff spot – I think four points separates fourth to seventh. And we want that fourth spot.”
Manning knows this game will not be easy and is expecting a physical, fast encounter.
“They have a big mobile pack and with a ball-playing lock like Soni (Langi) they will be shifting the ball from side to side.
“We have to be alert to that. We have a couple out for work and a couple back, but we’ll be ready.”
The competition’s most southerly club, Rockingham, return home after a much-need morale boosting win over Kwinana last weekend, but will face a sterner test with the visit of Fremantle.
The Roosters pushed ladder-leaders Willagee all the way last week, and even without some key players, are a quality side.
Sharks coach Reece Potter knows it will be a challenge on what is the club’s annual ‘sponsors day’ but will welcome half David Quinlin back into side, although Brody Gilchrist is a big loss, the lock limped off with a hamstring injury midway through the win over the Titans.
“Brody is a big out but it’s good to have Quinlin back and if we can replicate our second half performance of last week, then we are in with a chance,” Potter said.
Young gun Crockett Henry could switch to hooker for the game after showing Potter he was up to the role recently and Lewis Hough will start after overcoming a send-off decision this week.
“Freo always have depth in first grade,” Potter said. “They have a superb next man up attitude. We just have to learn to play for 80 minute and stay in the fight.”
Roosters player-coach Duane Butler will miss the game as he tore his meniscus last week. Currently on crutches he won’t know until he sees a specialist next week if his season is done or not.
“I think I will need surgery, I just don’t know the full extent of the injury yet,” he said.
The Roosters will also be without Eli Beattie, but Taiapa Graham returns after breaking his nose a few weeks ago and Jules Wilson Wyllie will return to his old club to lead the middles.
“It will be test to see how we bounce back after our loss last week,” Butler said.
“Quite a few changes but we have some decent depth. I will wait until as late as I can to name my team.”
South Perth return home after their win at Kalamunda last week when they host Joondalup, a team on the up, after two straight victories.
And Lions coach John Crawford knows his side need to be at their best if they want to stay in the chase for the minor premiership with Willagee.
“Joondalup are coming off two good wins and they have some good experience in their side like Taurean (Sheehan) and Joel (Irvine), plus some quality youngsters, so we will need to play a full 80,” he said.
The Talamaivao brothers (Luke-David and Ben) are both out with injuries as is Travis Haney who sustained rib damage against Kalamunda last weekend.
Corbyn Daniels is away working so Crawford plans to bring up a couple of Val Murphy players who have been performing well.
“Last time we played then it was a close game, but if we can control the middle and do the basics right, then we will be OK,” he said.
Giants coach Matt Gowland said his young players had gained so much confidence with recent wins as they go into this game in a positive frame of mind.
“Yes, a very positive training week,” Gowland said. “Lots of smiling faces, but we know South Perth are a very good side. They are second on the ladder for good reason, so we have to follow on from our second half performance last week and stay in the game.
“I have no illusions as to the task in front of us, but we have been concentrating on ourselves this week in preparation, on what we can do well.”
Gowland reports no injuries and will see Jo-Jo Ranger and Ritchie Herangi returning to the side, although young utility back Fraser Masterton is away working. “He’s a big out for us, he can play in so many positions,” Gowland added.
Willagee, still unbeaten after 10 games, will travel south to meet Kwinana at Wellard Oval, looking to maintain their lead at the top of the premiership.
Kwinana player-coach Lewis Samuels is struggling to put together two sides for this weekend’s visit of Willagee, having lost several players in the games against Rockingham last weekend.
“It’s pretty tough right now,” Samuels said. “A few might have to step up.
“Willagee are flying high, so we know it will be a tough ask.
“We have lost a few, but gained a few as well, coming back from previous knocks.”
Assistant coach Conrad Ramea said his Bears side were taking it game by game and not getting carried away with their unbeaten run.
“We have the chance this week to make a few changes and give some of the quality Val Murphy players a chance to show what they can do,” he said.
Kainoa Gudgeon is away for family reasons, so the reigning premiers will look a little different from recent weeks.
“I think the young fellas deserve a chance and we look at each game differently as each team is different,” Ramea said.
