A big Round 1 of the Fortescue Premier Grade competition has shown that 2025 is going to be an unpredictable season ahead.
The Fortescue Premier Grade kicked off for 2025 last weekend, with big scores and big upsets across the board, proving this season could truly be anyone’s game.
Perhaps the biggest shock emerging from Round 1 was the score difference in the Grand Final rematch between Associates and Palmyra, with Palmyra thumping last season’s Premiers, 5-70. With star Western Force Academy players such as Justin Landman out of the squad for the Academy’s trial fixture against Southern Lions, Associates’ buckled under the pressure of an incredibly strong Palmyra side.
Palmyra seemingly retain their position as the team to beat in 2025, already off to a strong start in retaining their two-year streak as Minor Premiers, reminding the competition who they are after their upset loss in the 2024 Grand Final. Tries for Palmyra were scored by Braden Stewart (10’, 24’), Potu Leavasa (13’, 55’), Ryan Wilkins (21’), Manihera Eden (44’), Viliami Fine (69’), Hayden Croghan (73’, 77’), Tevita Ali-Bene't Alatini (80’) and Michael Tui (80’).Conversions were completed by Jack Grooby (21’), who also scored a penalty conversion (3’), Leighton Short (55’, 69’) and Rhys Morgan (80’, 80’).
Despite a difficult loss, hopes are still high amongst Associates’ younger side, with their Challenge Cup Shield win in their back pocket a positive reminder, and their next battle coming in the form of Joondalup Brothers at HBF Arena next weekend.
Wanneroo saw an impressive ten-point win over UWA, in a match that saw an impressive five penalty conversions scored. With a final score of 23-33, Wanneroo proved themselves not a team to rule out so early, taking out a historic team so early in the game. Tries for Wanneroo were scored by Tashir Newsome-Smith, Hayden Whitmee-Lloyd, Liam Rongonui and Jordan Grattan, with two conversions and three penalties completed by Thomas Crofts. For UWA, tries were scored by Keaton Kawana (34’, 45’) and Oscar Anderson (79’), with penalty goals (5’, 49’) and a conversion (79’) from Anthony Hondros.
The Championship Grade kicked off over the weekend, and is already looking to be a tough battle, with close battles and tight scorelines.
After a big preseason, Rockingham clinched the win over Mandurah Pirates in their first game of the season, 33-28. With all eyes on them after their solid run in the Rendezvous Hotel Perth Scarborough Challenge Cup, Rockingham started their season strong against the 2024 Minor Premiers, putting one extra try over the line to secure their first win.
Josese Tamani was the player to watch, with a hat-trick (6’, 13’, 62’) in the bag for Rockingham in his first season playing for the club. Other tries for Rockingham were scored by Deago Tapara-Pu (33’) and Matthew Griffiths (40’), who also scored four conversions for the side (7’, 14’, 34’, 63’). Tries for Mandurah Pirates were scored by Logan Broughton (19’, 49’) and Ashib Leota (25’, 30’), with conversions by Clay Wainohu-Wesche (20’, 32’) and Joshua Kennedy (26’, 50’).
Round 2 of the Senior Men’s Competition will kick off this Saturday. The Western Force Academy will be playing a trial match against Cottesloe at Harvey Field, as an additional fixture and training opportunity.
Round 1 Results
Fortescue Premier Grade
Nedlands (85) d. Kalamunda (14)
Wests Scarborough (34) d. Joondalup Brothers (13)
Cottesloe (29) d. Perth Bayswater (12)
UWA (23) l. Wanneroo (33)
Associates (5) l. Palmyra (70)
Championship Grade
Perth Irish (22) l. ARKS (35)
Rockingham (33) d. Mandurah Pirates (28)
Bunbury Barbarians (7) l. Dunsborough-Busselton Dungbeetles (26)
