Pindan Premier Grade Round 11 Preview

The 2012 season has been one of the tightest competitions in many years, so it’s bound to be another entertaining week of close encounters.

 

 

The match of the round in the Pindan Premier Grade for this weekend sees top-of-the-table Nedlands play host to second-bottom Rockingham.

 

Nedlands continued their onslaught on the competition last weekend as they recorded their tenth consecutive victory for the 2012 season with a 17-10 win over defending champions UWA.

 

The hosts currently sit nine points clear of the second placed Associates, and will be going into this weekend’s fixture against lowly Rockingham as heavy favourites to continue their undefeated streak in 2012.

 

Neddies coach Tony Ball was delighted to record their tenth win of the season and is hoping his team can continue their fantastic run.

 

“This week is a bit of a different challenge in Rockingham and despite their position on the ladder we definitely will not be underestimating their ability,” Ball said.

 

“The week before the bye we played Wanneroo and they were a very good side; so for Rockingham to knock off a team in contention for the top four we know are going to have to play our best football to win.

 

“Training this week has been focused on our organisation and concentration in matches.

 

“We have started several matches strongly and then faded away, so we will be ensuring this does not happen again as Rockingham will punish us given the opportunity,” Ball continued.

 

Nedlands have been struggling with injuries of late, but Ball is expecting to have at least nine players back in the coming weeks.

 

“We’ve been struck down with injuries like many sides in the competition, so it has provided the opportunity for other players to show me what they are about,” he said.

 

“I am looking forward to getting some of our experienced players back from injury as it will help us in finishing the season in an even stronger fashion.”

 

The 2012 season, in comparison to Nedlands, has been extremely different for Rockingham as they sit second-bottom after recording their second win of the competition with a 27-15 victory over top-four contender Wanneroo last weekend.

 

The visitors have been competitive in several games this season, and will be drawing on the confidence that they almost caused an upset in round two when they only lost to Neddies by four points.

 

Rockingham coach Gus Martyn was ecstatic his team caused an upset against Wanneroo last weekend and hopes his side can back it up by ending Neddies undefeated streak.

 

“I was delighted we were able to secure our second win of the season against a very good Wanneroo team who are challenging for a finals position,” he said.

 

“It was a very tough but positive win and we are confident that we can cause an upset this weekend against Neddies even though it is definitely going to be a tough game for my boys this weekend.

 

“This week during training we’ve worked hard on our defence as it is going to have to stand strong if we can cause an upset and win our third game for 2012.”

 

Rockingham have been getting several key players back from injury over the past weeks, something that Martyn believes has helped his sides performances.

 

“It obviously hurts when you lose your best players to injuries, so it is nice to be getting some of these players back into the firsts,” he continued.

 

“I definitely think this fact has helped improve our performances and helped make us more competitive during the matches.

 

“AJ Smith, Cody Mason and Tyler Edwards have been outstanding lately so I am hoping they help get us over the line on Saturday.”

 

Wanneroo are still one of seven teams fighting for a position in the top four, despite their shock 27-15 loss against Rockingham last weekend. This weekend they face the in-form second placed Associates and know that they must cause an upset if they are to find a position in the finals come September.

 

The visitors to Landsdale this weekend are Associates, one of the premier attacking sides of the Pindan Premier Grade competition, who continued their own three match undefeated streak with a 35-10 thumping over fellow top-four contender Cottesloe last weekend. Currently sitting comfortably in second place, Soaks, will know a win against Wanneroo will further help in achieving the goal of playing finals football in September.

 

Last week Cottesloe fell victim to Associates undefeated streak with a 35-10 loss in the round 10 Match of the Round. Currently the hosts sit sixth on the ladder, equal on points with fourth placed UWA, and know that this weekends fixture against Palmyra is a must-win if they are to play finals in September.

 

Palmyra have been one of the quiet achievers so far in the Pindan Premier Grade in 2012 and recorded their seventh victory of the campaign with a 28-18 win over Wests Subiaco. Currently sitting third on the ladder, five points clear of fourth placed Uni; Paly will be going into the fixture as favourites to secure their eighth win of the campaign.

 

Wests Subiaco’s recent poor form continued last week after they suffered their third defeat in the last four matches as they went down 28-18 against Palmyra. Despite sitting second only weeks ago, Wests have slipped to fifth on the table and the match against bottom-of-the-table Kalamunda is a must win if they are to get their season back on track.

 

Last weekend Kalamunda fell just short of causing an upset against Perth Bayswater after they went down 15-22; a result that was their ninth loss of the season. With Wests currently suffering some poor form, Kalamunda has the perfect opportunity to record their second win for 2012, but it will require their best efforts.

 

Last weekend saw Perth Bayswater record only their third win of the 2012 Pindan Premier Grade season with a 22-15 victory over fellow strugglers Kalamunda. This weekend they welcome the defending champions in UWA to Pat O’Hara Reserve and know that an upset victory will all but ensure that they do not receive the wooden spoon for the 2012 season.