Round 9 Local Competition - Armageddon Revisited
Palmyra v Wanneroo.
The clinical way Wanneroo took Associates apart last Saturday must be a matter of considerable concern to Palmyra coach Dave Ball. It appears Wanneroo have regrouped and their injured players are back on deck. In addition, the word is they have recruited another quality player.
While reports of Perth's demolition of Palmyra's forward pack are more a figment of the fevered imagination of Perth's legion of supporters than based on reality, the truth is Palmyra's pack will have its first real test of the season next weekend. For only the second time this year also, Pally will come across a set of backs equal to or better than their own.
Frankly I think the forward packs will nullify each other in the scrums, with the Dogs perhaps marginally having the advantage in the lineouts and Pally marginally in the back row.
At the end of the day the outcome may just depend on the individual brilliance of a back or two in each side. I give it to Wanneroo by 12 points based on the outstanding running skills of KK and the fitness of his support runners.
Wests/Subiaco v Nedlands
Nedlands are obviously a monty to win, and win handsomely. It might be a game to see though, if Neddies latest recruit, ex Hurricanes/new Force tighthead prop Fairbrother gets a run. Anyway, there is no way a club can be competitive the week following having 83 points scored against them. I should know, as anyone who has followed Pally over the last ten years does. Nedlands by 45 points. Just an after thought, who has snaffled Dunning?
Associates v Perth
I think I'll let others wax lyrical on this. Perth have their best chance of the season so far to take a top four scalp. They will be desperate for a win after having been unceremoniously dumped into the mix for the battle for fourth place. Their top coach will surely be at the helm again, and that will make a difference. The return of midfield General Moon will also add some stiffness to their backs. Soaks loss to Wanneroo by such a margin (20 points) indicates that they have some mid season issues of their own, as all clubs do from time to time. The question is will they have fixed them in time for next Saturday? I think not. The shock to a club that still thinks it is top of the ladder three days after their huge loss (see their website) would indicate they will not. Perth by 15 points.
Rockingham v University
Geez, I would love Rocky to win this. Both Uni and Rockingham have improved their games over their last few fixtures and their strength can be measured by their respectve results against Nedlands in consecutive weeks, Rocky won by a whisker and Uni lost by the same whisker. Both have good forward packs but nothing exceptional in the backs, other than Fournails for Rockingham and O'toole for University. I'm going for Rocky by five points on sentiment alone.
Kalamunda v Cottesloe
Kala couldn't be coming up against Cott at a worse time. Kala will have its tail up after its flogging of the Wests schoolboys but it won't be prepared or organised enough to face the Cottesloe onslaught. Cott are currently the strongest, most balanced team in the Competition, and it will take more than a wobbly, inconsistent Kalamunda to change that. Cottesloe by 27 points.
