The RugbyWA 2024 Semi Finals kick off this Saturday.
The top teams from across the age groups and grades will battle it out this weekend to secure their places in next week’s Grand Final, hosted by Kalamunda Districts Rugby Union Club.
After two hard-fought Fortescue Men’s Premier Grade Quarter Finals, top teams Palmyra and Associates have been assigned their competitors ahead of this week’s competition.
Semi Final 1 – Palmyra v. Kalamunda
After finishing the 2024 regular season on the top of Conference A’s ladder, Palmyra will face underdogs, Kalamunda Districts, in the Semi Finals.
Having started on the bottom of the ladder, winning the preseason Rendezvous Scarborough Challenge Cup, and clawing their way back into the 2024 season finals, Kalamunda are proving they are not to be underestimated. Last weekend’s showdown with UWA further solidifies their status as fierce competition, defeating the side 16-20 at McGillivray Oval.
A try in the 75th minute, followed by a penalty goal in the 76th kept Kalamunda’s finals hope alive, pushing the side over the edge to claim victory. Tries for Kalamunda were scored by Usaia Ralulu (11’), Ihaia-Lee Kamizona-Heke (74’) and Kitione Nairube (75’), with one conversion (12’) and one penalty goal (76’) from Braydon Forrest.
From UWA, tries were scored by Bradley Roderick-Evans (29’) and Conor Bartley (42’), with two penalty goals from Caleb Young (17’, 53’).
With a triumphant win behind them, Kalamunda are most certainly not to be ruled out by the top side. The last time Palmyra faced Kalamunda was in Round 8 of the competition, where they did find victory, with a 28-7 final score.
Palmyra, last season’s Premiers, have seen a strong 2024 season. The side is sitting on twelve wins this season, with one draw and two losses – one of which was found in their final game of the season, against Associates.
Despite this, the side is confident going into their Semi Final, and very happy to have made it.
“This is what you play rugby for,” Head Coach, Darren Reed, said. “You want to be involved in the big games and knockout rugby is where it gets real.”
“All the preseason practices, warm up games and home and away games all melt away and it becomes a pretty simple equation. Win 2 games in a row.”
The biggest challenge his side will face this week, Reed shares, is keeping their heads amongst all the action.
“Keep the boys calm, keep them focused, keep them happy. Absolute clarity in terms of gameplan and expectations on a team and individual level.”
“I want them to really enjoy and embrace the preparation for Saturday. A lot of people trot out the ‘just another game’ cliche. Rubbish. It's not another game. This is knockout footy. The best teams thrive in that jeopardy.”
Coming up against a surprise side such as Kalamunda will be a challenge for Palmyra, and not to be underestimated.
“Kalamunda have done so well,” Reed said. “I'm really impressed by how they have gone the past few weeks in particular.”
“They are a great club that obviously has been through a bit emotionally of late, and the way their playing group has stepped up, that's got to be respected.”
Palmyra v. Kalamunda will kick off at Tompkins Park at 3:00PM.
Semi Final 2 – Associates v. Nedlands
Second-placed Associates will tackle fourth-finishing Nedlands this Saturday at Allen Park for their chance at a spot in the Grand Final.
In a hard-fought battle against Cottesloe in the Quarter Finals, Nedlands emerged victorious to secure their place in the Semi Finals. Despite an impressive performance from Cottesloe, it was Nedlands’ 76-minute try that pushed them out of reach, with even one try in the 80th minute by Cottesloe not enough to win.
Tries for Nedlands were scored by Jesse Hutton (9’), Vaughn Robson (13’), Manase Taufa (25’), Brynard Stander (29’), Bertie Stretch (50’) and Benny Johnston (76’). Conversions were scored by Matty Lansdown (13’, 76’). For Cottesloe, tries were scored by Patrick Maka (32’), Mayson Hill (46’), Kainoa Gudgeon (57’), Callum Smith (63’) and Jamie King (80’). Conversions were scored by Jamie King (33’, 47’, 58’, 64’).
In their final game of the 2024 season, Associates saw a victory over Palmyra in a 22-24 showdown. Finishing second on the ladder for 2024, Associates have recorded eleven wins and four losses. The side also made the Grand Final of the preseason Rendezvous Scarborough Challenge Cup, where they lost 31-15 to Kalamunda.
For Associates, reaching the Semi Finals this season is an accomplishment, Head Coach, Sape Misa, shared.
"Reaching a semifinal spot following a tough season is a considerable achievement for our club, given the circumstances.”
“While many clubs likely faced similar challenges, the hard work and dedication of all 48 players utilised in the Fortescue Premier Grade were vital in achieving this milestone, and their efforts are deserving of recognition.”
Despite finishing higher on the ladder for the 2024 season, Associates aren’t ruling out the challenge Nedlands promises, particularly after their strong performance last weekend.
“[Our] Biggest challenge lies in preventing Nedlands from breaching the advantage line, given their numerous robust ball carriers in the pack who can achieve significant territorial gain, and their skilled and swift backline players who will capitalise on any disconnection,” Misa said.
“I’m hoping we can be ourselves, bringing distinct skills and attributes that they can be held accountable for, and contributing to a cohesive, entertaining team performance.”
If this happens, Misa shares, “... The scoreboard will take care of itself.”
Associates will face Nedlands at Allen Park this Saturday at 3:40PM.
Promotion Match – Perth Bayswater v. UWA
As part of the Conference structure introduced to the 2024 Fortescue Premier Grade, the team who finished fifth on Conference A’s ladder will face the loser of Quarter Final 2, composed of the top two teams from Conference B.
With UWA losing out to Kalamunda in the Quarter Final, they will still have the opportunity to enter Conference A for 2025 in the Promotion match this Saturday.
With Wests Scarborough finishing bottom of Conference A’s ladder, they will automatically enter Conference B for 2025, while Kalamunda will move to Conference A. With Perth Bayswater finishing fifth, they will have to fight UWA for their position in Conference A.
The last time the two sides met in the 2024 season was back in Round 3, where Perth Bayswater suffered a 30-16 defeat against UWA at McGillivray Oval.
This weekend, the two sides will meet at Tompkins Park to battle it out for their place in Conference A for 2025.
Kick off between the two sides is set for 3:30PM.
RugbyWA 2024 Semi Finals
Tompkins Park, Palmyra
- Kalamunda Districts v. Palmyra – Fortescue Women’s Premier Grade, 11:00AM
- Palmyra v. Nedlands – Third Grade, 12:00PM
- Palmyra v. Joondalup Brothers – Belt Up Colts, 12:30PM
- Palmyra v. Nedlands – Reserve Grade, 1:20PM
- Palmyra v. Wanneroo Districts – Fourth Grade, 1:50PM
- Palmyra v. Kalamunda Districts – Fortescue Premier Grade, 3:00PM
Allen Park, Swanbourne
- Wanneroo Districts v. Wests Scarborough – Fortescue Women’s Premier Grade, 11:00AM
- Joondalup Brothers v. Wanneroo Districts – Third Grade, 12:30PM
- Wanneroo Districts v. Associates – Belt Up Colts, 12:30PM
- Southern Lions v. Cottesloe – Reserve Grade, 1:50PM
- Kalamunda Districts v. Associates – Fourth Grade, 1:50PM
- Associates v. Nedlands – Fortescue Premier Grade, 3:40PM
Meadow Springs Sporting Complex, Mandurah
- Mandurah Pirates v. Curtin Goats – Community Grade, 12:30PM
- ARKS v. Perth Irish – Championship Grade, 1:50PM
- Mandurah Pirates v. Bunbury Barbarians – Championship Grade, 3:30PM
