Club Corner is back once again to discuss the upcoming weekend in clubland.
With only a few rounds to go until finals, all teams at the top of the tables in their respective competitions are pushing hard to maintain momentum. With lower ranked teams looking to secure finals positions, there is plenty to play for this weekend!
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SHUTE SHIELD - ROUND SIXTEEN
Starting off in Sydney, Sydney University holds a slender point lead at the top of the ladder, following their impressive win over Warringah. However if there is one thing this season of the Shute Shield has been, it's unpredictable, with West Harbour and Hunter Wildfires both grabbing surprise wins over the weekend.
This weekend, it's all about the derbies, as West Harbour takes on the Two Blues at Drummoyne Oval and Eastwood hosts the Students for a classic clash at TG Millner Field.
Match of the Round – Manly v Warringah
Arguably the most popular derby on the Shute Shield calendar, the battle of the beaches this weekend looms as a critical match for both teams. Manly have had a very strong season but have slipped off the pace in recent rounds, and a win here will put some much needed wind in their sails as they head into a difficult closing fortnight of games against Gordon and Sydney University. For Warringah, it's a simple equation: win at all costs. With them scrapping for that elusive finals place alongside Eastwood, Gordon, Hunter, Randwick, Eastern Suburbs and the Two Blues, any loss here could be fatal for their season.
Other Fixtures
West Harbourv Two Blues
Souths v Norths
Eastern Suburbs v Gordon
Eastwood v Sydney Uni
Hunter Wildfires v Randwick
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Rising Player
Kodie Drury-Hawkins has been enjoying a strong season in the Western Harbour backline, and with us coming to the end of the season has already been touted as a potential favourite for the Ken Catchpole Medal. With an outstanding kicking game, and a rapidly improving form with both attack and goal line defence, this playmaker is one to watch!
QUEENSLAND PREMIER GRADE - ROUND THIRTEEN
Round twelve of the Queensland Premier Grade saw the apple cart well and truly upset, with Easts grabbing a critical win over Wests, GPS scraping home against Bond University, and Brothers having to work hard to win against a determined Norths side. UQ also got back to winning ways with a strong win over Souths.
With the competition now thrown wide open, this weekend Sunnybank take on GPS, while Souths welcome an in-form Brothers side.
Match of the Round – Bond University v Wests
Bond University take the match of the round again this week, albeit not for the ideal reason. With both teams going down last round and with their finals positions in jeopardy, a win here for one of these teams sees their form back on track, a loss sees them at risk of losing their finals position. While Wests still hold first place on the ladder, with Brothers and UQ in the chasing pack they cannot afford to lose again. Similarly for Bond University, dropping another game here will make their finals push even more difficult.
Other Fixtures
Sunnybank v GPS
Norths v Easts
Souths v Brothers
UQ - BYE
Rising Player
Despite the loss this last weekend, Joey Fittock put in an impressive display for Bond University. He proved to be an invaluable weapon in the back three for the Bullsharks, and should his form continue, he will likely prove a key attacking weapon come finals.
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FORTESCUE PREMIER GRADE - ROUND FOURTEEN (DIVISION ONE)
The business end is well and truly here in beautiful Western Australia this weekend, as the Fortescue Premier Grade splits into top and bottom divisions. The top six sees Associates, Cottesloe, UWA, Wests Scarborough, Nedlands and Perth Bayswater make it through for the RugbyWA Cup contention.
These teams will now battle it out over the next five rounds to determine the makeup of finals.
Match of the Round – Associates v Cottesloe
Arguably the biggest rivalry in WA clubland, the Battle of Broome Street this weekend looks set to be a doozy! It comes at a critical time for both sides as well, with both of them sneaking in as the two bottom teams of the top six. Put simply, if both teams want to start their finals run in style they need to win this match!
Other Fixtures
UWA v Wests Scarborough
Nedlands v Perth Bayswater
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Rising Player
Dante Tatafu had a strong performance in round thirteen for Perth Bayswater in their critical win over Cottesloe, with his performance at set-piece proving to be a decisive factor. With finals now on the line, expect the promising Hooker to back it up with another performance this weekend against Nedlands.
JOHN I DENT CUP - ROUND THIRTEEN
Following a commanding round twelve that saw Tuggeranong and the Canberra Royals post big wins, this weekend sees opportunity for the chasing pack to make up some ground, especially against the Royals, who have opened up a strong lead at the top of the ladder.
This weekend Uni-Norths head up to Penrith to play the Emus, while Gungahlin welcome the Queanbeyan Whites, who will be desperate for a win following their loss against the Owls last week.
Match of the Round – Canberra Royals v Wests Lions
Can anyone stop the Royals? It's a fair question to ask, given their recent form and strong performances over the likes of even their closest competitors in the Vikings. Despite this, it would be foolish to underestimate the Lions, who have shown glimpses of promise throughout the entire season but are still to string a few wins together.
Fixtures
Penrith Emus v Uni-Norths
Gungahlin v Queanbeyan Whites
Tuggeranong - BYE
DEWAR SHIELD - ROUND TWELVE
Round Eleven served up some of the most exciting rugby we've seen this year in the Dewar Shield, and no bigger statements were made than Harlequins commanding win over the Unicorns to extend their lead at the top of the ladder. Elsewhere the Rams also pulled off a strong win over Endeavour Hills, while Melbourne Uni also got back to winning ways against Box Hill.
With only three rounds of the regular season to go, it is now flat out for the finishing line, and every win counts!
Match of the Round – Melbourne University v Power House
Melbourne University have been enjoying a stronger season this year, and are only seven points outside the top four. However, if they want to achieve that elusive finals berth they need to get up for games like this weekend against Power House. The visitors currently have a five-point gap between them and fifth place, and with them unlikely to overtake the teams above them, they stand the most to lose over the closing rounds should wins elude them.
Other Fixtures
Melbourne v Moorabbin
Box Hill v Endeavour Hills
Footscray v Harlequins
COOPERS PREMIER GRADE - ROUND FOURTEEN
Brighton and Burnside loom as the teams to beat as we head into the last five rounds of the Coopers Premier Grade for 2022. This weekend Woodville hosts Elizabeth, Old Collegians play Port Adelaide, and Onkaparinga host Southern Suburbs. It will be an especially emotional weekend for the Onka faithful, following the tragic passing of their inaugural captain Dave Pearson earlier this week.
Fixtures
Brighton v Adelaide University
Burnside v Barossa
Woodville v Elizabeth
Onkaparinga v Southern Suburbs
Old Collegians v Port Adelaide
TASMANIAN PREMIER GRADE - ROUND TEN
Finally the Tasmanian Premier Grade returns to a full competition this weekend. Harlequins will welcome first placed Launceston, while the Penguins will welcome the Bulls in a likely match of the round fixture.
Fixtures
Harlequins v Launceston
Burnie Emus v Hobart Lions
Taroona v Devonport
UTAS v Glenorchy
Enjoy your weekend, and be sure to get out to clubland and support your local club.
