The 2025 Finals Series kicked off with a bang this weekend, with Quarter Finals taking place at Tompkins Park, Kingsway Reserve and Edinburgh Oval.
The Finals have arrived, with teams desperate to qualify for the Semi Finals in this year's Finals Series. With the Premiership now in their sights, it was a big weekend for the four teams from each of the Senior Men's grades competing for their place in the Semis, who all fought until the end for their victory.
In Conference A of the Fortescue Men's Premier Grade, Palmyra came up against Associates at home, with the pressure of defeating the side that knocked them out of the winning spot at the 2024 Grand Finals. With both sides having strong seasons and dominant performances, it was a close match with high intensity and big stakes. Associates came out firing, with captain Dean Taylor-Menzies crossing the line in the eleventh minute, with the legendary Ian Prior converting. They followed up a few minutes later with Auguste Chennebault scoring, giving Associates the early lead. Palmyra fired back a few moments later, with Pisi Leilua scoring in the 24th minute, putting Palmyra on the scoreboard. An intense battle between the sides, Palmyra saw their chance to lead in the second half, putting seven tries on the scoreboard to creep past Associates. In the end, a try from Hayden Cooper in the 78th minute gave Palmyra a few more points to secure the win and secure their place in the Semi-Finals. The final score saw Palmyra, 45, defeat Associates, 35.
Tries for Palmyra were scored by Leilua (24’), Cooper (43’, 78’), Curtis Rona (53’), Michael Tui (68’) and James Little (74’), in addition to a Penalty Try for the side (60’). Four conversions were completed by Rhys Morgan (53’, 68’, 74’, 78’). For Associates, tries were scored by Taylor-Menzies, Chennebault, Sam Faoagali, Mitchell Mahoni-Raw and Justin Landman, with five conversions completed by Prior.
In the Conference B Quarter Final, Wanneroo and Southern Lions came head-to-head in an epic showdown that saw Wanneroo prove they were the team to watch this season, as they rose from bottom of the ladder in 2024, to Semi Final contenders in 2025. A massive game which saw six yellow cards drawn by Referee, Graham Cooper, it was Luke Ale's sharp kicking skills which gave Wanneroo the edge, despite evenly matched competition. An impressive performance from the side saw back-to-back tries in the 37th and 38th minutes from Andrew Romano and Thomas Crofts, pushing Wanneroo even further ahead of a strong, agile Southern Lions to secure their victory. The final score saw Wanneroo, 29, defeat Southern Lions, 17.
Tries for Wanneroo were scored by Brayden Karangaroa (29’), Romano (37’), Crofts (38’) and Kade Davis (55’), with three conversions (29’, 38’, 38’) and one penalty 933’) from Ale. For Southern Lions, tries were scored by Raikadroka Rafaele (2) and Ciaran Heagney, with one conversion from Liam McKinnon.
Both Palmyra and Wanneroo have now secured their place in the 2025 Semi Finals, with Wanneroo coming up against Nedlands, and Palmyra against Cottesloe. Games will take place on Saturday, August 23, 2025.
