Club Corner is back for another weekend, and with that comes the shocking realisation that we have crossed the halfway point in many competitions.
Most competitions however see congested ladders and no clear leader. It’s a real case of seeing who has the best endurance for the run home will likely emerge as minor premiers.
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NEW SOUTH WALES: CHARTER HALL SHUTE SHIELD - ROUND TEN
Sydney’s premier grade comp heads into the second half of the season, but with the long weekend bye approaching clubs will be looking to consolidate positions to grab a critical win ahead of a much needed break. Gordon now hold a slender lead on top of the ladder following a thrilling one point win over the Wildfires in Chatswood, but with only four points separating first from fifth, they’ll need to maintain the rage with more big wins.
Other results saw Eastwood prevail in Coogee, the Two Blues pulled off a convincing win over Eastern Suburbs, and Sydney Uni snuck home by only four points over the Pirates on campus.
This weekend, the Highlanders are at home again and will welcome the third placed Marlins, Souths take on Randwick at Forshaw, and the Pirates will have a tough assignment when they face the Shoreman at Concord Oval.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Eastwood v Sydney University
While this match might not have as much of a bearing on the top of the ladder as the match at Chatswood Oval, this rivalry is hard not to miss on the calendar, especially when played at such a ground as TG Millner Field. The Students have had a very mixed 2023, and will likely be the underdog for this clash.
However, the last few games of this particular fixture have been high scoring thrillers, and I doubt their recent form will stop Uni throwing everything at this. The Woodies have looked very solid this season, and having not dropped a game since Round Four will be tough to beat at home!
Other Fixtures (Live on Stan Sport)
Gordon v Manly
West Harbour v Norths
Souths v Randwick
Hunter Wildfires v Eastern Suburbs
Two Blues v Warringah
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Rising Player
It was a round where the back three really impressed in multiple games, and while the Pirates long range effort was especially impressive, Norths flyhalf Jude Gibbs had a blinder in their win over the Rats, having a excellent day with the boot, grabbing a meat pie himself and helping set up both his wingers for tries.
QUEENSLAND: STORELOCAL HOSPITAL CUP - ROUND TEN
The Hospital Cup also starts the second half of regular season this weekend, and with all teams now on equal pegging for games Bond University has emerged with a slender lead at the top of the ladder, helped by a commanding win over Souths. Given the form of some sides however it would be difficult to predict things will stay that way, as Wests and Easts also grabbed important wins and GPS pulled off a win over an improving Eagles side that looks to have turned a corner.
This weekend UQ return to the fold and will have a tough assignment facing GPS at home, Easts will host the Dragons, and Norths will sniff a great opportunity when they welcome Souths.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Bond University v Wests
In this fixture way back in Round One, the current premiers went down 17-32 to a Bullsharks side out to make a statement. However, since then the Bulldogs have rediscovered much of their form, and with them looking to go three in a row this weekend, will be up for this clash at Bond Uni. The hosts currently sit atop the ladder, but a win here would be a huge result - with the season being where it is plans for final clashes become and more and more clear, and the Cup last came to the Gold Coast being when the Breakers won in 2004. Bond Uni have history to make, and it comes from winning games like this.
Other Fixtures (Live on Stan Sport)
Brothers - BYE
GPS v UQ
Easts v Sunnybank
Norths v Souths
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Rising Player
Going over to Norths for a moment, the growth of their side over this season has not gone unnoticed by many, and their young fullback Hamish Muir put in a great shift, despite his team going down against GPS. Expect him to lift his game as Norths continue their growth!
WESTERN AUSTRALIA: FORTESCUE PREMIER GRADE - ROUND ELEVEN
The WA comp hits the halfway point this weekend, and what a time it is! UWA hold a strong lead at the top of the ladder, and while that will be likely cut down this weekend with a bye, they’ll still be atop the ladder regardless of results. They grabbed a thriller over the Gulls at the Library, while Wests, Nedlands, Joondalup and Palmyra all entered the winners circle.
This weekend the Southern Lions return and host Associates, Wanneroo welcome Wests in what will be a thrilling contest, and Bayswater play host to Nedlands.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Cottesloe v Palmyra
With both sides looking to catch UWA at the top of the ladder, this match down at Harvey Field looms as a critical one for both sides in the context of their seasons. Cottesloe will be rueing their chances after letting their chance to beat the Students slip through their fingers. Palmyra by comparison haven’t dropped a game since their Round Six loss to Associates, and the last fortnight have looked especially strong on attack. It’s a top of the table thriller in the West!
Other Fixtures
UWA - BYE
Kalamunda v Joondalup
Southern Lions v Associates (Live on Stan Sport)
Wanneroo v Wests Scarborough
Perth Bayswater v Nedlands
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Rising Player
He may have been on the losing side last week, but that didn’t stop Cottesloe’s Phoenix Hunt from having a fantastic shift at halfback. More than matching up against the Students, expect another big shift from him against the Palms!
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY: BENTSPOKE JOHN I DENT CUP - ROUND EIGHT
The last round before the competition heads into the second half of the year, the John I Dent Cup sits in an interesting position, with six points separating second and sixth. The Vikings have opened up a commanding 11 point gap on the ladder, and given the results of previous weeks look like they’ll only increase that margin. However, more concerning is the Penrith Emus: while their Colts and Womens teams continue to be competitive, their forfeiting of second grade and a 111-17 loss to the Vikings in first grade highlights a serious collapse in competitiveness that ACT Rugby needs to address.
In other results, the Eagles played out a 29-all draw over the Royals to hold onto third place, while the Owls continued their resurgence with a commanding win over Queanbeyan. This weekend they travel up to Nepean Park to face the Emus, and the Royals welcome Wests Lions.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Gungahlin Eagles v Tuggeranong Vikings
Can anyone stop the Vikings? Honestly, it’s become a tougher question to ask. But that won’t stop the Eagles from having a go. Have proven themselves to be a tough nut to crack at home, expect an arm wrestle with plenty of flair. The Vikings are on the top of the ladder for a reason though, and will be favourites for this match.
Other Fixtures
Queanbeyan Whites - BYE
Canberra Royals v Wests Lions
Penrith Emus v Uni-Norths Owls
Rising Player
Charlie Cale put in a fantastic shift for the Owls in their win over Queanbeyan, picking up a try for his efforts in addition to several assists. Expect him to be everywhere this weekend against the Emus.
VICTORIA: VALO DEWAR SHIELD - ROUND SIX
Incredible as it may seem, the Dewar Shield is also closing in on the mid-point of the regular season, and of all the competitions this year this one is proving truly unpredictable. Harlequins sit seven points ahead of everyone on the ladder, but the form of the big improvers in Footscray and Melbourne University suggests there will be more challenges this year.
This weekend’s Respect Round is looming as a blockbuster, with Melbourne Uni hosting Moorabbin, Power House travelling to face Box Hill and the Unicorns desperately looking to climb back into the top half of the ladder when they host Endeavour Hills. Expect all teams to throw caution to the wind with a long weekend bye coming after this weekend!
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Harlequins v Footscray
This is going to be a fiery clash! The current ladder leaders and Shield holders have been in fantastic form and remain the only undefeated side of the comp, but tell that to Footscray, who have improved out of sight in 2023! Following a dominant performance over Box Hill, they’ll be chomping at the bit for this match, and this will serve as a good indicator for where they sit in the wider comp.
Other Fixtures
Box Hill v Power House
Melbourne University v Moorabbin
Melbourne Unicorns v Endeavour Hills
Rising Player
The scrum halves continued to impress last week and Conor Mcauley showed it for Melbourne Uni as they shocked Endeavour Hills in their own backyard. The Rams will have a lot of work to do keeping him contained this weekend.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA: COOPERS PREMIER GRADE - ROUND EIGHT
The Coopers Premier Grade nears its halfway point in the season this weekend, and with them also on the bye next week there is plenty of bragging rights to push for. Burnside’s defeat of Souths sees a huge shift in the ladder, while Brighton, Woodville and Old Collegians all post wins.
This weekend Onkas host Brighton, Old Collegians look to continue their form against Woodville, and Burnside welcome the Knights.
MATCH OF THE ROUND: Port Adelaide v Adelaide Uni (live on Rugby Union South Australia - Facebook)
With both sides experiencing hot and cold form this season, this match looms as a critical fixture before the break. Both sides are coming off losses, so expect a big clash.
Other Fixtures
Souths - BYE
Burnside v Elizabeth
Old Collegians v Woodville
Onkaparinga v Brighton
TASMANIA: TASMANIAN PREMIER GRADE - ROUND FIVE
The Tasmanian Premier Grade also heads into the bye next week, and with the ladder tightly contested expect some big games. Burnie, Harlequins and Launceston all picked up Ws this weekend, while Taroona prevailed in a 19-20 thriller over Devonport.
This weekend the Bulls travel to face Harlequins, Uni welcomes Launceston, the Penguins face the Lions at Rugby Park and Glenorchy host Burnie Emus.
Fixtures
Harlequins v Devonport
Tasmania University v Launceston
Taroona v Hobart Hutchins Lions
Glenorchy v Burnie Emus
Enjoy your club rugby this weekend, wherever you are!
