It all comes down to this.
After five months, sixteen rounds and two finals weekends, the Fortescue Men’s and Women’s Premier Grade season will find their winners this Saturday. In two blockbuster clashes, the best of the Senior competition will leave it all on the field in the hopes of being named the 2024 Premiers.
Defending Premiers, Palmyra, are looking for back-to-back titles, while second-placed ladder finishers, Associates, are hoping to knock them from the top.
Heading into the Grand Final as Minor Premiers, Palmyra saw an incredible regular season, with twelve wins, one draw and two losses. The favourites to win, they finished the season with an incredible 228 for and against difference and six bonus points to put them well ahead of all other sides.
In front of a home crowd, Palmyra stormed home in the Semi-Finals to secure their place in the Grand Final, defeating Kalamunda Districts 40-20 in an incredible performance. Now, ready to defend their title, Palmyra will return to the Grand Final field.
“Grand Finals are special," Palmyra Head Coach, Darren Reed said.
“The size of the occasion and the pressure makes it unlike any other game. We are looking forward to that occasion and that pressure.”
With the potential to go from a 32-year Premiership drought to two back-to-back, there are high hopes for the Palmyra side, whose aim throughout the season has been to put their best foot forward.
"Our goal as a team from Week one, has been to put our best possible team on the park in the Grand Final, and have that team play the best it's played all year.”
“I feel if we play at our absolute best, it's going to take a hell-of-a team to beat us.”
The team to come against the reigning Premiers? The team hot on Palmyra’s heels all season, Associates.
For Associates, their journey to the Grand Final was a hard-fought battle, toughing it out against a strong Nedlands side. Coming from behind, Associates pushed through in the final minutes to secure their victory with a 30-27 win at home.
With a strong, driven team in their corner, Associates are ready to take on the top team.
“[We have a] really good feel amongst the group,” Associates Head Coach, Sape Misa, commented.
“We have guys from the 2018 Premiership side, guys that were 2020 Finalist, juniors who have yet to play a Premier Grade final and are complimented by our amazing recruits... These diverse paths have all lead to this crossroad, having an opportunity to play against the defending premiers, you couldn’t plan it.”
As they head into the big game, Misa said it’s the side’s mateship that will keep them pushing.
“The one thing that these amazing men have is massive care for each other and their team,” he shared.
“When our back is up against the wall, they will come out swinging and every time manage to surprise ourselves. So, this weekend, we hope to surprise ourselves.”
Kick off for the Fortescue Men’s Premier Grade is set for 4:00PM on Field 1.
In the Fortescue Women’s Premier Grade, a tough competition has kept the game on their toes.
Wanneroo Divaz have dominated the 2024 regular season, taking home an incredible 482 for and against difference and eight bonus points to secure the Minor Premiership. Tipped to win the final match of the season, the side are coming off a 41-22 win over Wests Warriors in the Semi-Finals.
With fourteen wins and one draw under their belt in the regular season, the Divaz proved themselves too strong for Wests Scarborough, dominating the competition. In their Semi-Final matchup, Wanneroo scored seven tries and three conversions to secure the win.
Tries for Wanneroo were scored by Zion Taurima, Topaz-Jean Porter, Frieda Ah-Sam, Anneka Stephens, Mahina A Rangi Clair, Ngamihi Monk and Paihau Pomare. Anneka Stephens also completed the side’s three conversions.
The strongest side in the 2024 competition, Wanneroo will face the only side to come close to victory against them, Palmyra, who marred their perfect record with a draw in Round 10.
In an upset performance during the Semi-Finals, Palmyra defeated last season’s Premiers the Kalamunda Kweenz, in a homeground showdown. With Kendra Fell’s three penalties keeping the side’s hopes alive, Palmyra took the lead in a shock twist, finishing the match 10-16, and qualifying for the Grand Final.
Palmyra’s try was scored by Vesinia Schaaf-Taufa (16’), with one conversion (17’) and three penalties from Kendra Fell (3’, 35’, 64’).
Kick off for the Fortescue Women's Premier Grade is set for 1:20PM on Field 1.
Four games will be broadcast throughout the day, with both the Belt Up Colts (Wanneroo v. Palmyra) and Championship Grade (ARKS v. Bunbury Barbarians) set to stream live through Rugby Xplorer, and the Fortescue Men’s and Women’s Premier Grade to stream live on Stan.
Grand Final Fixtures @ Kalamunda Districts Rugby Union Club
8:15AM: Under 15s - Rockingham v. Nedlands
8:30AM: Under 14 Swan - Cottesloe v. Wests Scarborough
8:45AM: Under 13 - Joondalup Brothers Blue v. Kalamunda
9:30AM: Under 18 - Cottesloe v. Wests Scarborough
9:45AM: Under 15 Girls - Palmyra Arks v. Rockingham Flyers
10:00AM: Under 14 Gold - Palmyra v. Kalamunda
10:15AM: Under 15 Girls - North Coast v. Wanneroo
10:45AM: Belt Up Colts - Wanneroo v. Palmyra
11:15AM: Under 16 - Nedlands v. Southern Lions
11:30AM: Community Women's X's - Wanneroo v. Southern Lions
12:30PM: Community Grade - Curtin University v. Rockingham
12:30PM: Third Grade - Palmyra v. Nedlands
1:20PM: Fortescue Women's Premier Grade - Wanneroo Divaz v. Palmyra
2:15PM: Fourth Grade - Palmyra v. Kalamunda
2:15PM: Reserve Grade - Palmyra v. Southern Lions
4:00PM: Championship Grade - ARKS v. Bunbury Barbarians
4:00PM: Fortescue Men's Premier Grade - Palmyra v. Associates
