Welcome to the Goose Step!
Well the ladies have had their turn. Time for the lads now.
With the senior finals action kicking off this weekend, lets have a look at the games!
Fuel To Go & Play Premiership – Saturday – 3:30pm
Blueforce Park, Charles Riley Reserve, North Beach
Minor Premiers – North Beach Sea Eagles
Major Semi Final – Sea Eagles vs Roosters
The two most consistent teams this year, the grand finalists from 2023 shape up again in what should be an epic encounter. The went 2 wins a piece this year, with a slight for an against advantage to the Roosters, but with the Sea Eagles triumphant in the Noel Williams Cup game recently, they will fancy themselves slight favourites.
The North Beach Sea Eagles, much like their two women’s teams, have speed to burn all over the field. With their forwards standing tall in the middle of the field, they have been able to unleash their stable of thoroughbreds. New boys Korey Craig, Jesse Rafferty and youngster Darius Rogers have been wreaking havoc in the back half of the season, with Rafferty leading all try scores in Premiership. But arguably their two most important signings come in the form of scary backrow/centre pairing of Roydon Gillett and Tyler Mouea. Strong, fast and incredibly hard to tackle, they have been breaking tackles for fun this season and are perfect all purpose defenders who can hit front rowers and chase wingers alike.
Enter the Roosters. The class act of the competition for a decade now. They can really hurt you from anywhere, and while they aren’t the young bucks they once were, they continue to befuddle teams and play with the mantra “compete on every play”. While their kicking game hasn’t been as sharp as it could be their ability to chase everything hard and all game means they turn every kick into a good one. Edwards is still missing this week, but the return of Paora Kemp, along with one of the scariest centre pairings in the league helps. Joseph Po’uhila and Elijah Beattie are big, fast and powerful with great footwork and will be hard marks. The Roosters will also be sweating on the fitness of reigning Ken Allen Medallist Duane Butler, who is racing the clock to be fit. What a game.
Franklin Offshore Stadium, Lark Hill Sportsplex, Port Kennedy
Elimination Semi Final – Sharks vs Giants
This game should actually be a cracker. For a change it looks like both teams are fairly healthy with fitness and availability not hindering both teams as much, but the home ground advantage has been very kind to both teams this year, winning healthy when defending their own turf.
The Sharks will be chomping at the bit for this one. At Franklin Offshore Stadium they will have a raucous home crowd support, and there are some factions who believe that 2024 may be their best chance yet at a premiership. Although John McLaughlin doesn’t look like he will be ready in time, Tuuta-Edwards will switch to the 6, with Murphy back in the side at 13. The backrow of McEntyre and try scoring sensation Brandon White make a formidable sight on the edges, and the welcome returns of Jeffery, Barclay and Goodwin means they are a completely different side than the last 6 weeks of their competition games. One negative is Kelvin Coleman missing, who has been in epic form for the Rockingham side.
The Giants again have been an enigma. They haven’t had the same side 2 weeks in a row and this week is no different. But in amongst all the change they have unearthed some real talent. The emergence of players such as Trent Lawrence, Matiu Rikihana and Tiger Williams as genuine 1st Graders has added much needed depth to an aging rosters. With the return of Rangiwananaga Kingi, and the continued form of Joell Irvine, Sheehan and Marshall have been able to push the Giants into a position where they only need 3 amazing weeks in a row to raise a trophy. And the inclusion of River Colman is huge. The energiser hooker has been their best performer this year and will add energy to their side. Their inability to go with Sea Eagles this year has been a concern, but with all players on deck, the finals are a new competition.
Val Murphy Trophy – Saturday – 2:00pm
Blueforce Park, Charles Riley Reserve, North Beach
Minor Premiers – Fremantle Roosters
Major Semi Final – Roosters vs Sea Eagles
Undefeated defending premiers. The Fremantle Roosters Val Murphy side own that title, and have burnt a trail through the competition this year, and come up against a Sea Eagles side, who have steadily built their season brick by brick
The Roosters once again have been easily the best side all year. But they have added a new component to their games. Grit. They have grinded it out with the best in Val Murphy and managed to get many tight victories. When winning becomes a habit, sometimes you just find a way. And its their forwards who have led the way with the Camerons, Quintin Needham and Carl Wilson having career seasons for the club. When you add in the Parkinson brothers and new guy Saimon Qaranivalu, its no wonder they are continuing to get the job done.
The Sea Eagles on the other hand, were not good early on. They slowly built their season and have become a solid but not spectacular outift in the back end. High completions, with no nonsense footy and great defensive work ethic, they will try to go set for set with the Roosters in this one. With Gersh Adams out wide, watch for Te Ra Hare Ahuriri who looks a hell of a player in the halves. The ever present Godecke is still there along with Blake and Roa bumping up the front row. Mareta at lock has come back in 2024 with a vengance and is in great form.
Franklin Offshore Stadium, Lark Hill Sportsplex, Port Kennedy
Elimination Semi Final – Tigers vs Bears
A new rivalry has been born this year, with the Tigers and Bears being involved in two epic contests this year, with last week seeing the Bears sneak a win, and with that earning their way into the semi finals, with a game against the Tigers.
The Alkimos Tigers have been up and down all year. FIFO, injury and availability have affected the Tigers more than most, but they are a very classy side when everyone is on the field. The missing Corey Broughton is a massive out for them, but the class is obvious. David Martin at 9, along with Blaze Hulena and Conrad Poi have great pedigree and although are a bit older, have the experience to really make a difference. Their talisman in Beau White will lead from the front.
The Willagee Bears are a dangerous prospect, who I don’t think the rest of the teams will enjoy seeing in the finals. Erratic and unpredictable, they are a powerful outfit who can take a game away from you in a short 10 minute burst. The loss of Ryan Mills is massive in context, but actually gives Robert Smith the freedom to do whatever he wants at the back, and Bannister and Pollock combining in the halves is as experienced a pair you will ever see in Val Murphy. John Leota and “JT” Tanonef are definite threats with ball in hand and will need to be watched carefully.
NRL WA Third Grade – Saturday – 12:40pm
Franklin Offshore Stadium, Lark Hill Sportsplex, Port Kennedy
Minor Premiers – Mandurah Storm
Major Semi Final – Storm vs Bears
Well both teams only suffered one loss all season. The Storm were humbled in a massive loss to the Roosters all the way back in round 4, while the Bears lost all the way back in round 2 against the storm, by a measley 2 points.
The Storm have gone from cellar dwellars to the top of the next in third grade, and will be keen on getting some silverware before they move up. A rugged side who have gained many players recently, they just manage to shrug off their mistakes and defend their way to victory. Jayden Rowe has been a revelation this year, and the return of Taylor to the side has added immense leadership. But the Manning-Daniels boys in Kaizer and Che has been one of the big reasons they have excelled.
The Bears third grade side are actually incredibly fun to watch. Chancing their arm from all over the field, they are a free-flowing side, who don’t really mind if you score. Good luck stopping them though. A notable name on the list on Jordan Jacob, who can really play, and seems to elevate Shaddai and Jerrold Gare into new heights. But you have to admire the steady play of Ethan Suamili. The halfback has been a constant in their lineup and will be key to their chances here.
Blueforce Park, Charles Riley Reserve, North Beach
Elimination Semi Final – Roosters vs Rabbitohs
This may be the game of the weekend. I know thats a wierd thing to say in third grade, but watching the teams play at Willagee last week, they were undeniably on a collision course from the first set of both games.
The Fremantle Roosters performance last week was clinical. Strong. Fast. Deliberate. It was a very good game from them. Not dirty or boastful. They are just a very hard side to stop. With Rima Los’e at the back and centres Keidyn Senioli and Liam Sundborn causing havoc on edges, their middle just pounds on the front door with abandon. with Joel Leota and Komasi Filo the bookends, the move of Tamati Foster at 9 has sparked something that will be very hard to stop.
The Rabbitohs will not lie down though. They have the chance to rectify some wrongs from previous years and this side, which features a big majority of junior players from the club coming through, will not take a backward step. The Letufuga brothers, Malakai and Hosea, are gifted players, and if they can keep their cool will terrorise the Roosters side. But you’d thing that Robert Lake will go a long way to deciding this one. The extremely talented half/fullback is a special player who can make it happen from anywhere on the field.
And thats the wrap! Get down and enjoy some serious rugby league!
