2017 Pindan Premier Grade Season Preview
The 2017 Pindan Premier Grade Rugby Season kicks off this weekend, so it’s time to preview all 10 clubs ahead of the new campaign.
Wests Scarborough:
2017 Finish: Premiers
Wests Scarborough will look to again dominate the competition this season, with the Premiers the team to beat at the beginning of the year. Losing just the one fixture in 2016, Wests flexed their muscle in the final defeating Nedlands 45-26 in extra time to claim the Premiership. Wests have a number of classy outside backs, but a prop going by the name of Nick McLennan will be the one to watch. The big front-rower is a try scoring machine and will look to keep his form rolling from last season.
Nedlands:
2017 Finish: Runners-up
Nedlands continue to look a power house of the competition in 2017, after a narrow Grand Final loss to Wests last year inspiring the side this season. After the success of the club last season, Michael Ruru and hooker Anaru Rangi have signed for the Road Safety Western Force, possibly limiting their availability for Nedlands in 2017. Perth Spirit representative Grayson Knapp and Road Safety Western Force U20s lock Sam Offer will be crucial in the forward pack if Nedlands are to push for title contention at the Foreshore.
Palmyra:
2017 Finish: 3rd
Palmyra will hope to go one better this season after a shattering defeat to Nedlands in the Semi-Finals last year. Lex Wilson will again lead the side as coach, as he looks to take his team one game further in 2017. Future Force Foundation members Onehunga Havili Kaufusi and Mees Erasmus will be vital in the forward pack, both represented the Perth Spirit last season and will look to take the ‘Palms’ deep into finals contention.
Cottesloe:
2017 Finish: 4th
Cottesloe will aim for back-to-back finals campaigns after finishing fourth last season, with 11 wins and four losses slipping the side into contention ahead of Kalamunda. A proud club on and off the field, the ‘Gulls’ will look to make the top four for the 9th consecutive year, and will be relying on senior players Kieran Stringer, Ali Haining and Kaisa Reidy to do so.
Kalamunda:
2017 Finish: 5th
Kalamunda look a danger side this season after narrowly missing out on finals rugby in 2016, with bonus points the only difference between the ‘Bulls’ and Cottesloe. Their 11 wins last season was nearly enough as they push to become title contenders this season. Russel Burges will again lead the side, in what was a big season for the tough loose forward and he will once again be a vital player to the Bulls continued improvement.
UWA:
2017 Finish: 6th
After finishing sixth last season UWA will search for improvement, with the retirement of their courageous skipper a huge blow leading into the season. Cian O’Connor ended his career last year after eight seasons as the club’s captain, including a premiership victory in 2014. With back-to-back bottom five finishes driving the side for this season, they will need to improve to make their way up the ladder. Steve McFarlane will again coach the side, with Future Force Foundation member Clay Uyen and Road Safety Western Force U20s flyhalf Anthony Hondros the youngsters to watch this season.
Joondalup:
2017 Finish: 7th
David Wells takes over as Head Coach at the ‘Brothers’ this season, with a disappointing seventh place finish in season 2016 demanding change. Wells has been promoted after three years as the assistant coach at the club. Johann Louw will captain the side from scrumhalf, with Jarek Goebel and Sheldon Tarawa set to be his deputies. Tarawa joins the leadership group in his first season at Joondalup and will play at flyhalf for the side, promising big things in a pacey backline. Joondalup will look to improve on their six wins from last season, as they push for finals rugby in 2017.
Associates:
2017 Finish: 8th
Major offseason recruits and renewed optimism brings to life Associates’ 2017 season, with Road Safety Western Force players Luke Burton and Alex Newsome joining the ‘SOAKS’ community. Burton deflects from UWA after a disappointing season due to injury, while Newsome moves over from New South Wales after acquiring a Force contract in the pre-season. After only three wins last season and an eighth-place finish, improvement will be expected from the Swanbourne based side.
Perth Bayswater:
2017 Finish: 9th
Perth Bayswater are on the improve this season after a disappointing 2016 campaign which saw only three wins and a ninth-place finish. Change is in the air at Pat O’Hara Reserve, as ‘Baysie’ are rumoured to have recruited well in the off season. With a list of new recruits, the ‘Numbats’ will still be relying on pacey centre Nathan Hunt, who has led the try scorers at the club for a number of years. Expect big things from Perth Bayswater this season.
Wanneroo:
2017 Finish: 10th
Wanneroo will search for improvement this season after securing just two wins in their campaign last year, finishing bottom of the table. A more competitive attacking approach will be expected this season, with the side only managing 226 points over the entire 2016 competition. Former Future Force Foundation member Shambeckler Vui is the headline off-season recruit moving over from UWA in a huge boost for the ‘Roo Dog’ forward pack. Vui continued to develop last season under the guidance of the Perth Spirit in the NRC and subsequently signed a full contract with the Road Safety Western Force.
Pindan Premier Grade Round One Fixtures:
Cottesloe v Palmyra at Harvey Field
Joondalup v Associates at HBF Arena
Nedlands v Wests Scarborough at The Foreshore
UWA v Kalamunda at McGillivray Oval
Wanneroo v Perth Bayswater at Kingsway Reserve
All Matches will kick off at 3:30PM on Saturday, 25 March.
https://www.rugbywa.asn.au/news/2017...eason-preview/
