The Mike Zusman cup up for grabs this week – I am sure the Cockburn players will give him a guard of honour as he trots onto the rink at the start of the match. Another busy week for the Cockburn selectors with 4 changes this week to the One Blue side. Dalkeith go in with one change and should be full of confidence after their first win of the season last weekend vs Gosnells. Both teams at or around the same position on the ladder and a win crucial to both as they look to push higher on the ladder. I keep being told that the Cockburn surface is much simpler to play on when compared with last season however Cockburn always hard to beat home regardless. This should be close match but I am going to go for an upset and think that Dalkeith could up sneak away with the points.

Another important match for both teams. South Perth started the season well but a couple of close losses sees them back in the pack. Gosnells also labouring a touch and finding the drop from One White pretty difficult at this point. The South Perth side looks classy on paper – a bit of a Wesley College feel about it with quality on every line. But they won’t fancy the long drive to Gosnells who clearly play their best bowls at home. With the experienced Terrell back in the side I think South Perth can take this one on the road in a close one.

Clearly match of the season to date with the undefeated Rockingham taking on 2nd placed Kardinya. One change for each side with Rubery in for Rockingham and the experienced Knapp back for Kardinya. Knapp has been a mainstay for the Cats for a very long period of time and my research tells me he was unlucky not to be selected in the Perth Commonwealth Games team back in 1962. The Rockingham team seems to have a bit more depth than previous seasons although I do note that their Talisman Simpson is not yet going – maybe this could be his week. The Kardinys skippers all look good on paper headed by Fiery Freddie Flintoff but at home I do feel that Rockingham will emerge victorious to retain top spot on the ladder.

Two teams with contrasting fortunes at this point of the season. Safety Bay looking good for a team just promoted to one blue whilst Rossmoyne at the foot of the table without a win. Rossmoyne also not helped with a very poor record on the road and they will not be relishing the long drive to Safety Bay. They will look to their Talisman Mayor Rawley lang for a huge lift on Saturday but he cannot do all of the heavy lifting. Safety Bay remind of the Willetton side from last season – quietly going about their business and gradually working their way up the ladder. They should be too good for Rossmoyne on the weekend.

Big match with the sleeping giant Armadale up against the hard to beat Willetton outfit. Armadale will be buoyed by the win at South Perth last week and they will be looking to continue building in this fixture. But Willetton are no easy beats and with two wins already this season by a solitary shot they cannot be taken lightly. Armadale will be looking for a lift from star player Daniel Brown who suffered a surprise 15 shot defeat at the hands of Steve Kelly last weekend. Rumours have it that chief selector Sir Stewie Gosstray called Brown aside after last week’s match suggesting Brown may well be served by a spell in the Lead’s position to help regain form and confidence. Not sure that will be happening and while Willetton will try hard I expect Armadale to come away with a good win on the weekend.