With just one game separating the sides from a Grand Final appearance, the pressure was on in the Fortescue Women’s Premier Grade Semi-Finals.
In a round full of surprises, the competition lit up as Wanneroo, Kalamunda, Wests Scarborough and Palmyra battled fiercely for their shot at glory in the 2025 Grand Final at Lark Hill Sporting Complex this weekend. Playing through the drizzle, every contest was on a knife’s edge as the women displayed determination, skill and resilience in the fight to secure their place in the season’s ultimate showdown.
Bennett Park saw a day of rugby excellence, with the Junior teams competing in their Semi Finals in the morning, followed by their home Women’s side and Kalamunda going head-to-head to secure their place in the Grand Final. Finishing second and third, the competition between Wests and Kalamunda was hot, truly proving to be anyone’s game. With crazy talent all over the field, it was a moment for Wests to prove themselves as the growing Women’s side to compete with the best, while it was Kalamunda’s chance to avenge themselves after missing the 2024 Grand Final.
It was a tough battle for both sides, with the experience of Kalamunda coming up against the upcoming young talent of Wests Scarborough. With only one try scored in the first half, with Wests’ Talitha Heta crossing the line at the 29th minute, the match proved to be an even fight, with big stakes heading into the second half. Grace Wilkinson scored Wests’ second try and the 41st minute, and was followed twenty minutes later with Amy Harrison’s try and Talitha Heta’s conversion, putting the side well ahead of Kalamunda. Not quite ready to be counted out yet, Zarah Suamili put Kalamunda on the board in the 67th minute, before the side worked to make sure Wests couldn’t get any further ahead with strong defence. In the end, Wests Scarborough came out victorious, defeating Kalamunda 5-17 and securing their place in the 2025 Grand Final.
Down at Harvey Field, the ever-fierce Wanneroo came up against Palmyra to secure their place in the Grand Finals. In a rematch of the 2024 Grand Final, the sides came toe to toe once again, with the promise of glory in their reach. In true Wanneroo fashion, the side came out firing, looking to put big numbers on the board and run away with the win. But Palmyra weren’t to be written off early, with Kendra Fell putting the side on the scoreboard in the fifteenth minute, scoring a penalty goal and putting the side in the fight. Vesinia Schaaf-Taufa scored for Palmyra in the 36th minute, helping Palmyra’s cause. However, the top side proved why they are the reigning premiers, crossing the line eight times and converting three to secure their place in the 2025 Grand Final.
For Wanneroo, tries were scored by Sofaia Talemaira, Ai Dickson, Tamika Jones, Ngamihi Monk, Ocean Tuhua, Tayler Waterson, Brooke Mason and Hayleigh Piki Mai Te Rangi Heather, with conversions from Dickson, Zarna Munto and Kylah-Rey Tuheke Kupa.
The Fortescue Women’s Premier Grade Grand Final – Wests Scarborough v. Wanneroo will kick off at Lark Hill Sporting Complex at 2:00PM on Saturday, August 30, streaming live on Stan Sports.
