WESTERN FORCE MEDIA RELEASE

Thursday, 20 August 2015

PINDAN PREMIER GRADE PREVIEW: GRAND FINAL

Sunday, 23 August, 2015

Kick-off times:

Pindan Premier Grade: 3.20pm

Pindan Reserve Grade: 1.30pm

Under 19: 12pm

For the weekend’s complete grand final schedule click here

By Fraser Smith

Nedlands v Wests Scarborough at McGillivray Oval, Mount Claremont

Round One: Wests Scarborough 26 defeated Nedlands 19 at The Foreshore, Nedlands.

Round 12: Nedlands 29 defeated Wests Scarborough 13 at Bennett Park, Doubleview.

The Pindan Premier Grade reaches its pinnacle this Sunday afternoon when Nedlands and Wests Scarborough do battle at McGillivray Oval for the right to the 2015 premiership.

Fittingly the grand final sees the season’s two best sides meet to fight for ultimate glory. Wests Scarborough dropped just one game on their way to the final while Nedlands stormed home to claim the minor premiership ahead of the Boars thanks to a superior number of bonus-points.

Nedlands have proven themselves as one of the most dynamic attacking forces in the competition this year and this was on full display in last week’s semi-final, running in seven tries including a brace to Dylan Loversidge to claim a come-from-behind 41-23 victory over Cottesloe.

Wests Scarborough faced a much sterner task in their semi-final, clawing their way to a three-point victory over Kalamunda. Trailing by two points at half time, the Boars rallied in the second half with flyhalf AJ Alatimu kicking his side to victory with five-second half penalty goals, including the sealer just minutes from full time. 

Nedlands will be looking for their star-studded backline to fire yet again to give themselves every chance of lifting the cup. Loversidge, flyhalf Jesse Toto and winger Kauri Cudd have all impressed this season and will need to bring their best again this weekend.

With the battle up front likely to be key to either side’s premiership chances, Nedlands will look to their experienced front row featuring skipper Joe Ritchie and Jermaine Ainsley to lead the pack in what will surely be a bruising encounter. ‘Neddies’ will also be strengthened by the return of their dynamic scrumhalf, Michael Ruru, from a one-match suspension.

Wests Scarborough’s AJ Alatimu leads all comers in point scoring this season with 208 points to his name through the regular season and his ability both with ball in hand and off the tee could prove the difference down the straight. The Boars’ back-row – led by Pierre Roberts and Kane Koteka – will also be a crucial factor with both men possessing tremendous strength in contact and at the breakdown. 

Nedlands’ last premiership came in 2013 and they are on the hunt for their third flag of the decade after also claiming the title in 2010.

Wests Scarborough will look to break a premiership drought dating back to 2006, which was the last of four consecutive premierships.

There will be no shortage of passion coming from the coaches this weekend as both men were involved in their respective club’s last premierships as players. Luke Doherty started at flanker in Nedlands’ 2013 premiership and Dwayne Grace tasted premiership glory four times with Wests from 2003-2006, with both men keen to experience premiership ecstasy from the other side of the sideline.

Sunday is poised to be a classic grand final with the two sides splitting the points earlier this season. The Boars came out on top in Round One, 26-19, while ‘Neddies’ took the bragging rights back in Round 12 with a commanding 29-13 victory.

Nedlands: 1. Joe Ritchie, 2. Anaru Rangi, 3. Jermaine Ainsley, 4. Danny Hartwell, 5. Michael Egan, 6. Tevin Ferris, 7. Shane Hemi, 8. Richard Naylor, 9. Michael Ruru, 10. Jesse Toto, 11. Kauri Cudd, 12. Fred Titoko, 13. Ben Titoko, 14. Juan Pretorius, 15. Dylan Loversidge.

Wests Scarborough: 1. Chris Kidd, 2. Conan Houkamau, 3. Mike Tamihana, 4. Matthew O’Brien, 5. Riley Winter, 6. Kane Koteka, 7. Keith Andrews, 8. Pierre Roberts, 9. Michael Marshall, 10. AJ Alatimu 11. Jordan Luke, 12. Marty Campbell, 13. Sheldon Tarawa, 14. Cody Coe Baker, 15. Jarome Leonard-TeKanawa.

Referee: Alex Ninkov