Club Corner is back once again to discuss the upcoming matches in clubland this weekend.
If there is one thing 2022 has shown to be, it’s unpredictable! With several big upsets seen across nearly all competitions over the previous weekend. It couldn’t come at a better time for the club rugby fan however, with interest in rugby growing following improving performances at the professional level, to see such competitiveness nationwide in clubland bodes well for the game!
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SHUTE SHIELD - ROUND SIX
Kicking off the unpredictable results, the Shute Shield ladder has turned into a proper free for all, with the chasing pack well and truly catching up to the leaders of the comp. Randwick picked up a valuable away win over Gordon, Manly won a thriller over Norths, and Hunter put together an impressive display to defeat West Harbour, as did Souths in their win over Easts. However, the result of the round undoubtedly goes to the Two Blues, who stunned Sydney University at home.
The results make this upcoming round much more interesting, with the top of the ladder now open real estate. Among some of the highlights this weekend, Randwick will host a dangerous Wildfires outfie, Manly will welcome Eastwood, and the Two Blues will look to go three in a row against Souths at Eric Tweedle Stadium. It will be an especially significant home game as the Two Blue faithful will also be celebrating the eponymous player, who turned 101 earlier this week.
Match of the Round – Norths v Sydney Uni
While the corresponding fixture at Manly Oval was also a contender for match of the round, this game will be an especially fascinating watch considering both teams came into this year as THE teams to beat, and over the last few weeks, the arrival of the chasing pack sees their title credentials under threat. Both teams need to respond, and no better statement can be made than a win this weekend.
Norths will enjoy home ground advantage, and over going down in a thriller against the Marlins will be desperate to get back to winning ways. They won’t be taking their opposition lightly though, and will likely aim to hit the ground running and play in the expansive style we’ve come to expect from them. The Students meanwhile have now had several surprise losses, and as title defenders, will want to fire a warning shot to the chasing pack that the Shute Shield will not be taken easily in 2022.
Other Fixtures
Randwick v Hunter Wildfires
Eastern Suburbs v Warringah
Manly v Eastwood
West Harbour v Gordon
Two Blues v Souths
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Rising Player
Tom Curtis has been outstanding for Western Sydney so far this season, and there was no better example of this than his performance against the Students. His attacking instincts are certainly turning heads, and the Two Blue faithful will be expecting a big performance from him this weekend.
QUEENSLAND PREMIER GRADE - ROUND THREE
Round two served up several high scoring affairs in Queensland, with every winning team scoring in excess of thirty points per game. UQ and Bond University picked up the best results, with GPS overcoming a determined Easts. However Brothers pulled off the win of the round, taking a vital away from home win over semi-finalists Wests.
Sunnybank will enjoy the bye this weekend, and it will be much needed, given they’ve only scored one try in the opening fortnight of competition. This weekend Norths will host Brothers, UQ will travel to face the Magpies, and the battle for East and West will take place as the Tigers face the Bulldogs.
Match of the Round – Bond University v GPS
While the Tigers-Bulldogs clash will be a thriller, the clash down at Bond Uni looms even more tellingly as a game to watch. The Bullsharks are still to lift the Hospital Challenge Cup, but in the last few seasons they have shown they have the cattle to win it, and last week certainly started in the right fashion as they smashed the Dragons.
However, a real marker of where they are is this upcoming clash with finalists GPS, who themselves have a point to prove after going down in the finals last year. GPS will likely be wary of the threat Bond poses, and given their need to stay in touch with UQ at the top of the ladder, and win here is critical
Other Fixtures
Easts v Wests
Souths v UQ
Norths v Brothers
Sunnybank - BYE
Rising Player
GPS winger Josh Collins has started off the opening fortnight with three tries, however, his sheer speed and attacking process have been instrumental as to why GPS are in the position they are in. A quality finisher who can create opportunities out wide from nowhere, he is certainly emerging as an exciting prospective talent!
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FORTESCUE PREMIER GRADE - ROUND FIVE
If there was any thought that the Fortescue Premier would continue with one-sided results, it well and truly did not in round four, with several high scoring thrillers. Palmyra got a vital away win over Cottesloe, Wests hung on in a thriller against Associates, and UWA and Perth Bayswater both picked up wins. Wanneroo picked up a crucial win over Joondalup too, solidifying their top four position on the ladder.
This weekend, several heavyweight clashes loom, which will likely make this round a critical one in terms of momentum building for the regular season. Nedlands will host Southern Lions, Palmyra will host Joondalup, and Wanneroo will have an especially exciting clash over a rejuvenated Associates outfit, who really showed some of their attacking style of old in their loss to Wests last week.
Match of the Round – Wests Scarborough v UWA
The two sides that have posed the most threat to Cottesloe’s grasp on the trophy will do battle this weekend, with both pulling together strong performances against quality opposition. Hosts Wests scraped home against Associates, but in that performance came a real sense of game management and maturity, which is very welcome in their hunt for a premiership.
The Students meanwhile saw off an improving Lions outfit, and while their performances have been strong so far this season, there is a feeling they can push themselves even further with a more complete performance this weekend.
Other Fixtures
Kalamunda v ARKs
Wanneroo v Associates
Nedlands v Southern Lions
Rockingham v Cottesloe
Palmyra v Joondalup
Perth Bayswater - BYE
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RISING PLAYER
Luke Callan was in find form at set piece for Wanneroo over the weekend. His work rate this year has been nothing short of exceptional, assisting the Wanneroo set piece and giving them a much needed gritty edge – a big reason why they have started the season in such strong form!
JOHN I DENT CUP - ROUND THREE
Round three saw statements made in the John I Dent Cup, with Queanbeyan, and Uni-Norths posting commanding wins. No statement was more felt than the performance of the Royals in their win over current premiers Tuggeranong, putting the entire competition on notice that the struggles of 2021 will likely not be repeated this weekend.
This weekend sees the Emus make their first trip down to the Capital since joining the comp, as they face an in-form Uni side. Wests will host the Royals, as they look to kickstart their season and halt the Royals resurgence.
Match of the Round – Queanbeyan v Gungahlin
In spite of the other great clashes this weekend, the match most likely to be unpredictable will be the game across the border. The Whites put together a strong performance against the Emus last week in Penrith, and will sniff a real opportunity here as they face a Gungahlin side coming off the bye.
After going down in round one, the Eagles hopefully will have used this early pause in their season to restructure and regroup. They have shown themselves to be genuine title contenders, and hopefully this weekend they can showcase that and kickstart their season.
Other Fixtures
Uni-Norths v Penrith
Wests v Canberra Royals
Tuggeranong – BYE
RISING PLAYER
Lennix Tovo has started off strongly for the Vikings over the opening rounds, and currently is the equal highest leading try scorer for the competition (alongside fellow Viking Remsy Lemisio). While the Vikings will be enjoying the bye this weekend, the strengths of their performances have been strongly driven by Lennix, and many teams will need to keep an eye out for this attacking weapon.
DEWAR SHIELD - ROUND TWO
The opening round of the Dewar Shield saw the heavyweight teams start in flying fashion, with Melbourne, Harlequins and Moorabbin all picking up wins. Box Hill also got off to a flyer against Power House, setting the rest of the comp on notice that they will be a likely contender this year.
This week the Rams will host the Students, Melbourne will welcome Footscray and Power House will hit the road to face Endeavour Hills.
Match of the Round – Harlequins v Box Hill
The two big winners of the opening round will go head-to-head in round two, and with statements already made now comes a perfect opportunity to back it up with action. Harlequins will enjoy home field advantage for this clash, but given the strength of the Box Hill performance it will take a massive effort to take them down. Box Hill will keen for a scalp here too, a win here would further their championship credentials and definitely put the Unicorns on notice.
Other Fixtures
Moorabbin v Melbourne University
Melbourne v Footscray
Endeavour Hills v Power Hills
COOPERS PREMIER GRADE - ROUND FIVE
Round four was arguable the most exciting round of the Premier Grade so far this year, with all sides standing up and delivering close performances across the weekend. Port Adelaide grabbed an upset win over the high flying Southern Suburbs, Brighton downed a spirited Old Collegians outfit, Burnside snuck home in a thriller against Woodville and, most notably, Elizabth delivered the upset of the week with a strong away win over Onkas.
Hopefully many of the chasing pack can take confidence from this round as they head into this weekend, as many of them will be facing up against the stronger teams this coming weekend. Amongst the clashes include Port Adelaide hosting Old Collegians, while Adelaide Uni have a tough assignment taking on Brighton. The Elizabeth-Woodville and Southern Suburbs-Onkas clashes look especially exciting, given how close all teams are on the ladder. Expect big things in round five!
Fixtures
Burnside v Barossa
Adelaide University v Brighton
Port Adelaide v Old Collegians
Elizabeth v Woodville
Southern Suburbs v Onkaparinga
Be sure to get out and support your local team. Enjoy your club rugby this weekend, and stay safe!
