Club Corner is back for another weekend, and this round will see all club competitions officially underway as the Dewar Shield and Tasmanian Premier Grade kick off.
In addition, several big derbies loom in Sydney and Brisbane, which are certain to shake up already contested ladders and bring many a smile to the rugby faithful.
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NEW SOUTH WALES: CHARTER HALL SHUTE SHIELD - ROUND FIVE
Round Four saw the close clashes of previous rounds continue in much the same fashion, with Manly ending Norths unbeaten run, the Wildfires getting back to winning ways over Wests, and Souths picking up their first win of the season down at Forshaw Rugby Park over Warringah. The Two Blues also continued their strong form at home with a commanding win over Sydney Uni.
This weekend, the Rats now remain as the only team not to register a win so far, and will be desperate to win at home against Eastern Suburbs. Eastwood will look to do the same against Souths, and Norths will face off against their traditional rival Gordon in what will be a thrilling clash at North Sydney Oval.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Sydney Uni v Randwick
As much as there are many great clashes looming this weekend, it’s hard to go past one of the oldest rugby rivalries in the world. Both teams sit on two wins apiece, but Uni will likely be wary of this Wicks side that put forty on Easts in the clash of the Eastern Suburbs last week. Uni are still to put in that commanding performance that sends a warning shot to the rest of the competition, and with them defending the title, they’ll need to ensure they stay in the winners circle to strengthen their chances in the back half of the season.
Other Fixtures (Live on Stan Sport)
West Harbour v Manly
Norths v Gordon
Warringah v Eastern Suburbs
Eastwood v Souths
Two Blues v Hunter Wildfires
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Rising Player
Shoutout to Eastwood scrum-half Lachie Albert, who has returned to the Shute Shield after spending some time down in Canberra over the last few years. The experience has clearly rubbed off, as his performances in the opening round of the season have turned many heads, establishing himself as one of the most exciting halfbacks in the competition.
QUEENSLAND: STORELOCAL HOSPITAL CUP - ROUND FIVE
Easts have continued to push ahead in the early rounds of the Hospital Cup, pulling off a strong win over UQ. Round Four also saw Bond Uni post a commanding with over Sunnybank, as did Brothers over Norths, while Wests rediscovered some of their 2022 form, seeing off a determined GPS side.
This weekend while the Bullsharks take the bye, Sunnybank host Norths as both sides look to grab their first win of the year, GPS takes on Easts at home, and Souths take on Wests as all sides look to maintain strong starts to the season.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Brothers vs UQ
A favourite fixture among many in Brisbane clubland, this game will also loom as an interesting clash due to the form of both teams. Brothers are still to put a foot wrong, with three bonus point wins with a one game advantage. UQ by comparison to previous seasons have started off slowly, but the law of recent form determines that they will eventually put together a strong performance soon, and what better to galvanise them than a rivalry clash!
Other Fixtures (Live on Stan Sport)
Bond University - BYE
Sunnybank v Norths
GPS v Easts
Souths v Wests
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Rising Player
Mason Gordon had a strong afternoon for Wests in their win over GPS, with his form in broken play and with the boot proving the difference in a key clash for the Bulldogs. It will be a tough assignment out at Souths Rugby Club, but there’s plenty to like in this talent.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA: FORTESCUE PREMIER GRADE - ROUND SIX
Things are about to get very interesting over in Western Australia. UWA have powered away to a commanding lead in the competition, seeing off a determined Nedlands side. Associates continued their rise, overcoming Perth Bayswater, and Wests Scarborough finally got on the board, picking up a critical away win at Harvey Field after the bell over Cottesloe. The match of the round saw a ninety point thriller between the Southern Lions and Wanneroo, with the Lions prevailing 51-40.
This weekend Joondalup face a depleted Wanneroo, Perth Bayswater welcome the Gulls, and Kalamunda come off the bye to try and take down UWA.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Associates v Palmyra
A cracking clash awaits at Allen Park this weekend, with both teams sitting in the top half of the ladder and looking very promising. The Palms will likely go into this match as slight favourites given their strong performances (even going down by one point to UWA in their clash). Associates are currently on a three match winning streak, having barely put a foot wrong after their loss to Wanneroo in round one. A result that either side could take!
Other Fixtures
Nedlands - BYE
Wests Scarborough v Southern Lions
Kalamunda v UWA
Perth Bayswater v Cottesloe (Live on Stan Sport)
Joondalup v Wanneroo (YouTube Live Stream)
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Rising Player
Wests’ Hooker Ford Hemie played a major role in his side's critical win, putting in a great shift at the lineout and set piece and maintaining a cool head in tight situations. Expect another big shift as Wests look to continue their form against the Lions.
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY: JOHN I DENT CUP - ROUND THREE
There is something in the water in the capital this year, as Round Two saw big win after win. Queanbeyan started their title defence in emphatic fashion over the Emus, and interestingly, it was a similar story down at Viking Park, as the Vikings smashed the Royals in a day the Tuggeranong faithful will likely talk about for a while. The match of the round was a thrilling contest between the Owls and Lions, with Wests grabbing a critical three point win away from home.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Queanbeyan Whites v Gungahlin Eagles
Both sides have looked strong in their opening matches this season, and with them both having a bye in the opening fortnight they will be fresh and hungry to continue their form. The Whites will likely be favourites at Campese Field, but given the Eagles performance over a strong Uni-Norths side, don’t expect this game to be handed over on a plate!
Other Fixtures
Tuggeranong Vikings - BYE
Uni-North Owls v Penrith Emus
Wests Lions v Canberra Royals
Rising Player
Joe Wadman had an outstanding game in the centres in his side’s demolition of the Royals, putting together great passages of play and unleashing the back three in emphatic fashion. While the Vikings will enjoy the bye this weekend, expect to see this player turn heads again.
VICTORIA: VALO DEWAR SHIELD - ROUND ONE
Victorian rugby is back underway! Following a fantastic 2022 season that saw several teams stand up and Harlequins reclaim the title, things are on the up for the Premier Grade competition in Victoria. With a new live broadcast partnership with My Sport Live, fans will also be able check out all the upcoming fixtures on social media and on the MSL platform.
In the opening round, Endeavour Hills will kick off against Box Hill, Melbourne University will welcome Footscray, and the Rams will host last year’s Grand Final winners, Harlequins.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Melbourne v Power House (Live on MSL)
This was one of the most fascinating fixtures last year, as Power House, in a thrilling run home during the back half of the season, knocked out the Unicorns in the Preliminary Final. The home side will be up for revenge against the team that ripped the Shield from their grasp, and will be looking to start their season in the right fashion.
Other Fixtures (Live on MSL)
Endeavour Hills v Box Hill
Moorabbin v Harlequins
Melbourne University v Footscray
SOUTH AUSTRALIA: COOPERS PREMIER GRADE - ROUND THREE
ANZAC Round in Adelaide saw Southern Suburbs continue their strong form, grabbing a thrilling win over Onkaparinga. Port Adelaide also bagged it’s first win over Woodville, before Brighton fired a warning shot to the rest of the competition with a strong win over Burnside to claim the ANZAC Cup.
This weekend the Tigers welcome Elizabeth, Burnside return home to take on Adelaide Uni, and Onkaparinga look to kickstart their season against Woodville.
MATCH OF THE ROUND: Southern Suburbs v Port Adelaide (Live on Facebook - Rugby Union South Australia)
With both teams bagging important wins in their seasons last week, this clash looms as an interesting sign as to where both teams are. With both looking to end premiership droughts, expect fireworks at Bailey Reserve!
Other Fixtures
Old Collegians - BYE
Brighton v Elizabeth
Burnside v Adelaide Uni
Onkaparinga v Woodville
TASMANIA: TASMANIAN PREMIER GRADE - ROUND ONE
Finally, the Apple Isle will see Friday night footy kicking off its opening round of the season, as the Lions and Uni are set to do battle in Hobart. In other matches this weekend Harlequins take on Burnie, Taroona welcome Launceston, and the Glenorchy Stags welcome Devonport to Eady Street.
Fixtures
Hobart Hutchins Lions v Tasmania University
Harlequins v Burnie Emus
Taroona Penguins v Launceston
Glenorchy v Devonport
Enjoy your club rugby this long weekend, wherever you are!
