Finals Week 2 Big 4
And now we have 4. The Big 4 have made it through to the business end of the season like many predicted and its time to stand up and be counted. Get down to South Perth for all the games this weekend. Read on for the in depth game and team analysis.
South Perth Lions Vs North Beach Sea Eagles
The battle of South & North has a long line of history. They have been the two dominant sides of the year and deservedly faceoff for a spot in the Grand Final.
South Perth had a week off and after a long 14 week campaign, isnt necessarily a bad thing. Unfortunately for the boys in white and red, they looked to have timed their run and momentum to perfection, picking up 6 wins in a row and the week off might have slowed their momentum. How they handle the week off will have a huge bearing on this game.
North Beach on the other hand has been building slowly towards this game. They would have had it marked in their calendar for a few weeks now (5 weeks to be exact) and will look for some serious revenge. The Lions made them look like a Premier Grade side last time out and the boys from the beach will be looking to show them that despite injuries, they are not a spent force in this competition.
S & W Analysis
Strengths
South Perth Lions
While some teams only claim to be the toughest up front, none are as big, fast and dominant as the Lions big boppers. They have size all through out their side, but their forward pack remains a formidable brick wall of defence and is the cornerstone of them looking for back to back titles. Watch for the Lions pack to explode out of the blocks and drain the opposing team right from the kick off.
North Beach Sea Eagles
On the other side of the coin, North Beach has the best backline in the competition. Strike power all over the field, when fit they have the ability to go the length of the field at will, and have many hard working backs who are willing to go all day from dummy half. With an adept halves pairing, they are not afraid to unleash from their own side of halfway, and will be praying for a nice dry day to show their exploits.
Weaknesses
South Perth Lions
A question mark must remain on the halves pairing in the South Perth line-up. While possessing a good straight forward, high tempo game, their creativity and kicking game has come into question at various times in the year. If their forwards do not get on top early, and they cant grind teams into the ground, where do the Lions go?
North Beach Sea Eagles
Injury and availability are the biggest factors looking to hurt the Sea Eagles. Already hurting from injuries earlier in the season, they played a bruising encounter against Fremantle and will have to pick themselves up, battered and bruised to face an intimidating Lions forward pack this week.
Head to Head
Coaches
Cory Bush Vs Jamie Rodgers
Both coaches have done a magnificent job all year. A lot can be said about creating a winning culture within a side and both Jamie and Cory have done a great job keeping it within the team.
Cory will have had a big 2 weeks with his side, preparing and priming his side for this match. Fitness levels will have had to be maintained as well as the mental aspect of getting a team up after a week off. The Lions have responded well after the byes this year and he will be hoping this is no different.
Jamie has had to step up to the mark in recent weeks, bringing his bandaged up side back from the brink. Availability has threatened to derail their season, but the tactics of the North Beach side against Fremantle last week has showed that Jamie has prepared them brilliantly. Will he have the right game plan against South Perth this week?
Season Captains
Jon Phipps Vs Tyrone Cranston
Often teammates at WA level, Jon and Tyrone are two of the most consistent performers in the competition. Both possessing great leadership qualities, look for the 2 players to inject themselves frequently on the field.
Jon will get into the game early with trade mark hitups and big defence. Usually taking 2 hitups in every set early in the game, Jon looks to stamp his authority early on in games, and takes the come with me boys approach to his captaincy. Although not an 80 minute captain, he has an apt replacement at the helm with Isacc Thomas on the field.
Is Tyrone going to play? Every week things are said about his availability. But time will tell. Tyrone will take his time to warm into the game, but has the Billy Slater like ability to turn it on in a split second. A human highlight reel, watch him walk around in back play like nothing is on, and then kick it into another gear when its required. Really is something special.
Goal Kickers
Scott Jones Vs Tyrone Cranston
Goals can sometimes be the only difference between sides at the end of the day and in this category, the Lions boys have a slight edge. Scott has kicked beautifully for the Lions all year and will usually turn 4 into 6 from most spots on the field. Tyrone, although having the ability to kick from anywhere, has that Benji Marshall aspect about his kicking. If you havent seen Benji kicking goals think about it like this. He is as much chance of getting it out wide as he is from 5m to the side of the posts. On his day 10/10, but cannot afford to be off.
Game Breakers
Scott Jones Vs Jason Godecke
One is a gifted and talented second rower, and the other an outside back with speed to burn. Both players have the rare ability to bust a game wide open, but sometimes can go missing in games. Expect a huge involvement from both players as they look to improve their teams prospects in this game.
Scott has it all. Size, speed, strength and ball playing ability. But his main asset is his football brain. Great at sizing a situation up, is too dangerous to leave as a ball runner, especially close to the line, but good enough to throw a double cut out pass to an unmarked man.
Jason is an undeniable finisher. Give Jason a metre down the sideline, he will take it to the nearest millimetre and leave you licking his dust. Not known for doing the hard stuff, look for Jason to get involved early and help his forwards out with plenty of scoots.
Prediction
Although both teams will be primed and ready, I believe there are too many questions over the makeup and tactics of the North Beach team. If South Perth play simple and effective football like they have all year round, not to mention an added advantage of a parochial home crowd, they should be first into the Grand Final.
Lions by 8
Fremantle Roosters Vs Rockingham Sharks
Considered the local derby of the south by many, Roosters and Sharks games have always been an intense and close affair. 4 points and 2 points have separated the sides this year, and this weekends game looks to be another close and fiery encounter.
Fremantle have stumbled over the last few weeks going down to South Perth in the wet, and then being beaten soundly by a pumped and focused North Beach side. Their ability to pick themselves up will have huge ramifications on this match. Completing their sets and not rushing their game has been the strength of the Fremantle side all year and they will need to go back to this on the weekend.
Rockingham will be happy to be back in the winners circle with a much needed and morale boosting win against Kalgoorlie. But more will be needed from the Sharks if they are to continue on. Seen as quite an erratic side, they will need to be at the top of their game for the whole 80 minutes to see off the Fremantle team.
S & W Analysis
Strengths
Fremantle Roosters
The Roosters defensive structures are amongst the stingiest in the league. Against all comers this year, it has been their defence that has been the backbone of their wins. With super fast line speed, you can constantly hear the team saying take the metres off them which also shows a keenness to get up consistently for the person next to them in defence. With good strong first up contact every time, and a urgent scrambling defence, the Roosters are a hard team to score against.
Rockingham Sharks
Fitness is the Sharks ally this year. Notorious for fading in and out of games, the 2nd half performances of the Sharks have been something to behold. While still not able to master a whole 80 minutes, their ability to hang in the game and then take it by the scruff of the neck late in games has save them more than once this year. Will continue looking for points right up until the final whistle.
Weaknesses
Fremantle Roosters
The Roosters while dominant in defence, they have arguably the worst attack of the top 4. One dimensional with a tendency to go left, the Roosters must mix up their attacking options, with different angles and a better attacking kicking game to stay alive in the finals race. Individual brilliance from their big guns will not be enough in the finals stages to win games.
Rockingham Sharks
Concentration and Intensity. While being good in patches this year, the Sharks must maintain an 80 minute performance to mix it with the rest of the competition. 20 minute blitzes of the competition have seen Rockingham build some handy leads, or chase some good deficits, but if they let the Roosters skip ahead or run them down, they may panic and lose their heads.
Head to Head
Coaches
Lee Toon-Poynton Vs Martyn Wood
Where the Lions and Sea Eagles coaches have had a good number of players from the competition last year, both Lee and Martyn have had to re-build sides, basically from the ground up. Both are wily old customers, with a few tricks up their sleeves for the finals, but will both be focusing on the basics and completions this week.
Lee will have been frustrated with his teams effort last week. Fancying their chances last week, they came up with a half hearted performance and were soundly beaten by a weakened North Beach team. Faces a big job getting the team refocused and positive ahead of Saturdays clash.
Martyn has done a spectacular job blending almost a whole new team this year. While happy with last weeks performance in getting the job done against the Titans, he will be looking for a much more consistent effort this weekend, in a bit of a revenge game.
Season Captains
Delane Edwards Vs Caleb Reedy
Both captains are quite different to their outspoken and hardworking counterparts in the top 4. Quieter and letting their games do the talking, both have good skill and will look to lead rather than talk their teams to victory.
Delane is a lock playing 5/8. His teammates respect the enormous talent that he is, but instead of exploding into the game, Delanes time to shine is in the last 20 minutes. Happy to share the workload early on, watch him take the line on late in the game from anywhere on the field.
Caleb is the new guy in this competition. Given big wraps before coming here, he has nestled into his role as the Sharks skipper without much fanfare, and seems to have the support of his team mates. A bigger type halfback, Caleb has a dangerous running game as well as an unpredictable element in his repertoire.
Goal Kickers
Rowan Hastings Vs Caleb Reedy
Probably the pick of the goal kickers left in the competition, neither player will let their side down when it comes to the 2 points. Rowan has spent lots of time and effort on his goal kicking and is the best in the competition. With a good judge of wind and slight right to left hook, Rowan barely misses. Caleb is also a good kicker, with a great strike rate. While probably slightly behind Rowan, watch his early kicks and if he strikes them well, will give a good indication of how he kicks on the day.
Game Breakers
Blane Edwards Vs Fred Purcell
Going away from Taj this week, we have chosen the dangerous and hard hitting fullback with a great ability to chime into the line and a reserve prop who along with the strength and size to power over the advantage line, also has a great sleight of hand.
Blane only has one gear. And its always 100miles an hour. Whether is with ball in hand or in defence, he only knows one way. Cannon balling into opposition defences on a kick return or rushing up in the front line on early tackles to pull of a shoulder charge, watch this player put his body on the line every time. Stepping of both feet, close to the line Blane is hard to stop.
Fred is a bit of a weird person to put as a game breaker as he is a prop forward and a bench player at that. But watch the big fellow when he gets injected into the game, especially close to the line. A deadly offload with quick hands at the line, the prop tends to make mistakes here and there, but his coach knows his value and has only tried to curb his flair. Fitness may be a problem but expect 100% effort when he is on the field.
Prediction
As both teams won their respective matches away from home this year, playing at South Perth will not daunt either side. As it is an elimination match I will not offer a winner but some food for though.
Fremantle put the hurt on the Sharks last year in this game. So Fremantle has the finals experience, whereas some of the Sharks team and supporters will have long memories. But both teams have the nucleus of new sides.
The critical period will be 10mins after half time; whoever has dominated this period has hung on to win both clashes this year.
Good luck to all the teams competiting this weekend.
And now we have 4. The Big 4 have made it through to the business end of the season like many predicted and its time to stand up and be counted. Get down to South Perth for all the games this weekend. Read on for the in depth game and team analysis.
South Perth Lions Vs North Beach Sea Eagles
The battle of South & North has a long line of history. They have been the two dominant sides of the year and deservedly faceoff for a spot in the Grand Final.
South Perth had a week off and after a long 14 week campaign, isnt necessarily a bad thing. Unfortunately for the boys in white and red, they looked to have timed their run and momentum to perfection, picking up 6 wins in a row and the week off might have slowed their momentum. How they handle the week off will have a huge bearing on this game.
North Beach on the other hand has been building slowly towards this game. They would have had it marked in their calendar for a few weeks now (5 weeks to be exact) and will look for some serious revenge. The Lions made them look like a Premier Grade side last time out and the boys from the beach will be looking to show them that despite injuries, they are not a spent force in this competition.
S & W Analysis
Strengths
South Perth Lions
While some teams only claim to be the toughest up front, none are as big, fast and dominant as the Lions big boppers. They have size all through out their side, but their forward pack remains a formidable brick wall of defence and is the cornerstone of them looking for back to back titles. Watch for the Lions pack to explode out of the blocks and drain the opposing team right from the kick off.
North Beach Sea Eagles
On the other side of the coin, North Beach has the best backline in the competition. Strike power all over the field, when fit they have the ability to go the length of the field at will, and have many hard working backs who are willing to go all day from dummy half. With an adept halves pairing, they are not afraid to unleash from their own side of halfway, and will be praying for a nice dry day to show their exploits.
Weaknesses
South Perth Lions
A question mark must remain on the halves pairing in the South Perth line-up. While possessing a good straight forward, high tempo game, their creativity and kicking game has come into question at various times in the year. If their forwards do not get on top early, and they cant grind teams into the ground, where do the Lions go?
North Beach Sea Eagles
Injury and availability are the biggest factors looking to hurt the Sea Eagles. Already hurting from injuries earlier in the season, they played a bruising encounter against Fremantle and will have to pick themselves up, battered and bruised to face an intimidating Lions forward pack this week.
Head to Head
Coaches
Cory Bush Vs Jamie Rodgers
Both coaches have done a magnificent job all year. A lot can be said about creating a winning culture within a side and both Jamie and Cory have done a great job keeping it within the team.
Cory will have had a big 2 weeks with his side, preparing and priming his side for this match. Fitness levels will have had to be maintained as well as the mental aspect of getting a team up after a week off. The Lions have responded well after the byes this year and he will be hoping this is no different.
Jamie has had to step up to the mark in recent weeks, bringing his bandaged up side back from the brink. Availability has threatened to derail their season, but the tactics of the North Beach side against Fremantle last week has showed that Jamie has prepared them brilliantly. Will he have the right game plan against South Perth this week?
Season Captains
Jon Phipps Vs Tyrone Cranston
Often teammates at WA level, Jon and Tyrone are two of the most consistent performers in the competition. Both possessing great leadership qualities, look for the 2 players to inject themselves frequently on the field.
Jon will get into the game early with trade mark hitups and big defence. Usually taking 2 hitups in every set early in the game, Jon looks to stamp his authority early on in games, and takes the come with me boys approach to his captaincy. Although not an 80 minute captain, he has an apt replacement at the helm with Isacc Thomas on the field.
Is Tyrone going to play? Every week things are said about his availability. But time will tell. Tyrone will take his time to warm into the game, but has the Billy Slater like ability to turn it on in a split second. A human highlight reel, watch him walk around in back play like nothing is on, and then kick it into another gear when its required. Really is something special.
Goal Kickers
Scott Jones Vs Tyrone Cranston
Goals can sometimes be the only difference between sides at the end of the day and in this category, the Lions boys have a slight edge. Scott has kicked beautifully for the Lions all year and will usually turn 4 into 6 from most spots on the field. Tyrone, although having the ability to kick from anywhere, has that Benji Marshall aspect about his kicking. If you havent seen Benji kicking goals think about it like this. He is as much chance of getting it out wide as he is from 5m to the side of the posts. On his day 10/10, but cannot afford to be off.
Game Breakers
Scott Jones Vs Jason Godecke
One is a gifted and talented second rower, and the other an outside back with speed to burn. Both players have the rare ability to bust a game wide open, but sometimes can go missing in games. Expect a huge involvement from both players as they look to improve their teams prospects in this game.
Scott has it all. Size, speed, strength and ball playing ability. But his main asset is his football brain. Great at sizing a situation up, is too dangerous to leave as a ball runner, especially close to the line, but good enough to throw a double cut out pass to an unmarked man.
Jason is an undeniable finisher. Give Jason a metre down the sideline, he will take it to the nearest millimetre and leave you licking his dust. Not known for doing the hard stuff, look for Jason to get involved early and help his forwards out with plenty of scoots.
Prediction
Although both teams will be primed and ready, I believe there are too many questions over the makeup and tactics of the North Beach team. If South Perth play simple and effective football like they have all year round, not to mention an added advantage of a parochial home crowd, they should be first into the Grand Final.
Lions by 8
Fremantle Roosters Vs Rockingham Sharks
Considered the local derby of the south by many, Roosters and Sharks games have always been an intense and close affair. 4 points and 2 points have separated the sides this year, and this weekends game looks to be another close and fiery encounter.
Fremantle have stumbled over the last few weeks going down to South Perth in the wet, and then being beaten soundly by a pumped and focused North Beach side. Their ability to pick themselves up will have huge ramifications on this match. Completing their sets and not rushing their game has been the strength of the Fremantle side all year and they will need to go back to this on the weekend.
Rockingham will be happy to be back in the winners circle with a much needed and morale boosting win against Kalgoorlie. But more will be needed from the Sharks if they are to continue on. Seen as quite an erratic side, they will need to be at the top of their game for the whole 80 minutes to see off the Fremantle team.
S & W Analysis
Strengths
Fremantle Roosters
The Roosters defensive structures are amongst the stingiest in the league. Against all comers this year, it has been their defence that has been the backbone of their wins. With super fast line speed, you can constantly hear the team saying take the metres off them which also shows a keenness to get up consistently for the person next to them in defence. With good strong first up contact every time, and a urgent scrambling defence, the Roosters are a hard team to score against.
Rockingham Sharks
Fitness is the Sharks ally this year. Notorious for fading in and out of games, the 2nd half performances of the Sharks have been something to behold. While still not able to master a whole 80 minutes, their ability to hang in the game and then take it by the scruff of the neck late in games has save them more than once this year. Will continue looking for points right up until the final whistle.
Weaknesses
Fremantle Roosters
The Roosters while dominant in defence, they have arguably the worst attack of the top 4. One dimensional with a tendency to go left, the Roosters must mix up their attacking options, with different angles and a better attacking kicking game to stay alive in the finals race. Individual brilliance from their big guns will not be enough in the finals stages to win games.
Rockingham Sharks
Concentration and Intensity. While being good in patches this year, the Sharks must maintain an 80 minute performance to mix it with the rest of the competition. 20 minute blitzes of the competition have seen Rockingham build some handy leads, or chase some good deficits, but if they let the Roosters skip ahead or run them down, they may panic and lose their heads.
Head to Head
Coaches
Lee Toon-Poynton Vs Martyn Wood
Where the Lions and Sea Eagles coaches have had a good number of players from the competition last year, both Lee and Martyn have had to re-build sides, basically from the ground up. Both are wily old customers, with a few tricks up their sleeves for the finals, but will both be focusing on the basics and completions this week.
Lee will have been frustrated with his teams effort last week. Fancying their chances last week, they came up with a half hearted performance and were soundly beaten by a weakened North Beach team. Faces a big job getting the team refocused and positive ahead of Saturdays clash.
Martyn has done a spectacular job blending almost a whole new team this year. While happy with last weeks performance in getting the job done against the Titans, he will be looking for a much more consistent effort this weekend, in a bit of a revenge game.
Season Captains
Delane Edwards Vs Caleb Reedy
Both captains are quite different to their outspoken and hardworking counterparts in the top 4. Quieter and letting their games do the talking, both have good skill and will look to lead rather than talk their teams to victory.
Delane is a lock playing 5/8. His teammates respect the enormous talent that he is, but instead of exploding into the game, Delanes time to shine is in the last 20 minutes. Happy to share the workload early on, watch him take the line on late in the game from anywhere on the field.
Caleb is the new guy in this competition. Given big wraps before coming here, he has nestled into his role as the Sharks skipper without much fanfare, and seems to have the support of his team mates. A bigger type halfback, Caleb has a dangerous running game as well as an unpredictable element in his repertoire.
Goal Kickers
Rowan Hastings Vs Caleb Reedy
Probably the pick of the goal kickers left in the competition, neither player will let their side down when it comes to the 2 points. Rowan has spent lots of time and effort on his goal kicking and is the best in the competition. With a good judge of wind and slight right to left hook, Rowan barely misses. Caleb is also a good kicker, with a great strike rate. While probably slightly behind Rowan, watch his early kicks and if he strikes them well, will give a good indication of how he kicks on the day.
Game Breakers
Blane Edwards Vs Fred Purcell
Going away from Taj this week, we have chosen the dangerous and hard hitting fullback with a great ability to chime into the line and a reserve prop who along with the strength and size to power over the advantage line, also has a great sleight of hand.
Blane only has one gear. And its always 100miles an hour. Whether is with ball in hand or in defence, he only knows one way. Cannon balling into opposition defences on a kick return or rushing up in the front line on early tackles to pull of a shoulder charge, watch this player put his body on the line every time. Stepping of both feet, close to the line Blane is hard to stop.
Fred is a bit of a weird person to put as a game breaker as he is a prop forward and a bench player at that. But watch the big fellow when he gets injected into the game, especially close to the line. A deadly offload with quick hands at the line, the prop tends to make mistakes here and there, but his coach knows his value and has only tried to curb his flair. Fitness may be a problem but expect 100% effort when he is on the field.
Prediction
As both teams won their respective matches away from home this year, playing at South Perth will not daunt either side. As it is an elimination match I will not offer a winner but some food for though.
Fremantle put the hurt on the Sharks last year in this game. So Fremantle has the finals experience, whereas some of the Sharks team and supporters will have long memories. But both teams have the nucleus of new sides.
The critical period will be 10mins after half time; whoever has dominated this period has hung on to win both clashes this year.
Good luck to all the teams competiting this weekend.
