Club Corner: Grand Finals in Sydney and Brisbane
The Final Corner: Season comes to its end with grand finals in Brisbane and Sydney
Welcome to Club Corner, our weekly series where we preview the upcoming weekend of Australia’s premier club competitions. And now, we hit the final weekend of footy for 2020, with the grand finals of the Hospital Challenge Cup and the Shute Shield.
Adelaide - Coopers Premier Grade Grand Final Review
We'll start off in the Garden City, which saw the Coopers Premier Grade play out an enthralling grand final last weekend.
Brighton were favourites to win, and unlike similar teams in the respective competitions in Darwin and Tassie who led for the whole season only to fall at the final hurdle, they were not to be denied.
They brushed aside Old Collegians in a 43-22 win, with Brighton scoring seven tries, including a double to Jack Jenkins, while Joel Plummet guided them home with a solid effort with the boot.
It capped off an afternoon of big results, as Southern Suburbs also got up with a 51-7 win over Woodville.
Congratulations to Brighton for emerging as the 2020 Champions.
Brisbane - Hospital Challenge Cup Grand Final Preview
Easts are through to the grand final after comprehensively overcoming Bond University 28-3 at Ballymore last week. Its a disappointing end to what was a stellar season for Bond Uni, who are looking like they have the makings of a team that could break their premiership duck in future years. But unfortunately, this year it was not to be.
But now, Easts will come up against the mighty Red Heavies, who will look to deliver coach Mick Heenan his fifth premiership as coach. They’ll also be looking to go back to back for the first time since 1990.
Easts do have it in them however to win this, having led the ladder for most of the year. Add in that you have the likes of Ben Mowen in your squad, anything is possible.
Rugby fans should enjoy an absolute beauty of a game this weekend. Be sure to get down to Ballymore and witness another classic grand final!
Read our more in-depth on the upcoming grand final here.
All Hospital Challenge Cup games are live and free on Rugby Xplorer, available on the App Store.
Sydney - Shute Shield Grand Final Preview
The Shute Shield is set to come to its conclusion this weekend at Leichhardt Oval, with history set to be made for the two sides playing.
Gordon are through to their first final since 1998, after overcoming the Beasties on a blustery Saturday afternoon of footy at Rat Park. After an enthralling 3-3 scoreline at half time, the Highlanders kicked up a gear and eventually prevailed 28-10.
Up against them are the Woodies, who played out a stone cold classic against Norths and prevailed 9-12 on an even colder and rainer Sunday. It was a result that caught many off guard, but credit to Eastwood; delivering a quality performance to put Norths away.
This sets up a thriller of a finale to the season. Eastwood have played a consistent season and proved themselves to be more than capable of challenging the top of the table. But Gordon look like men possessed under coach Darren Coleman, and his ability to turn this side around has been nothing short of incredible. With a rainy day forecast for Saturday, all bets are off in terms of predicting a winner. It's a neck and neck finish. Anyone could win.
Watch the Shute Shield grand final on 7Two, with kick off at 3pm.
We hope you stay safe and enjoy this final round of club footy around the country, wherever you may be! See you next year
