Club Corner is back once again to discuss the upcoming weekend in clubland.
We are now deep into the closing stages of the season, as finals continue in Sydney and Melbourne, and grand final day approaches in Western Australia. The regular season also wraps up in Canberra, Adelaide and Tasmania this weekend, with the penultimate round of competition being played in Brisbane.
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SHUTE SHIELD - SEMI FINALS
Only six teams remain in the battle for the Shute Shield, with Norths and Sydney University earning the week off following their wins last week, while Eastern Suburbs and Warringah bow out following their losses to Eastwood and Gordon.
This weekend a thrilling clash looms at North Sydney Oval as Manly look to end their losing streak. The Marlins have been in fantastic form this season, however a string of close losses to strong opposition has seen them slip down the ladder and they now sit in a precarious position. Lose one more and it's game over. It's even more concerning when you see them up against Eastwood, who have picked up three wins in their last four matches, with one being over Sydney University.
Randwick meanwhile will look to bounce back when they face Gordon at Coogee Oval, and the Galloping Greens will be hopeful the rugby faithful turn out in support. Despite a mixed season, the Wicks finished emphatic fashion with several big wins, leading them to finish in third and guarantee our home semi final. They come up against another resurgent side in Gordon. Despite having a very mixed season, the 2020 champions sprung a big surprise on the Rats last week, and with them in finals footy territory, they have more than enough in the tank to spring another shock.
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Rising Player
Shout out to Eastwood prop James Wayland, whose dominance in the scrum paved the way for Eastwood's triumphant win over Eastern Suburbs. Off the top of a fantastic performance at set piece, he also grabbed a meat pie for his efforts to seal the result!
QUEENSLAND PREMIER GRADE - ROUND SEVENTEEN
The penultimate round of rugby looms in Brisbane this weekend, with Wests and UQ currently holding a strong lead over the remaining chasing pack, while Easts and Bond University will look for a finals berth. Easts fans will be watching with particular interest: with the team on a bye this weekend and being only one point off the top four, they will be hoping for certain results to go their way and for GPS and Brothers to slip-up.
This weekend UQ face Sunnybank, Wests look to maintain their position at the top of the ladder when they take on Norths, and GPS look to put their finals position beyond all doubt when they head to face Souths.
Match of the Round – Brothers v Bond University
Only four points separates these two sides, and it looms as a critical fixture for the entire season. For Brothers, a loss here will mean the door is open for both Easts and Bond University. A win all but secures it. Similarly for Bond Uni, lose here and the season is likely over.
Other Fixtures
UQ v Sunnybank
Norths v Wests
Souths v GPS
Easts - BYE
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Rising Player
Easts lock Aidan Leeming put in a stellar performance over the last weekend in their dramatic win over Brothers, and will likely be chomping at the bit (pending results) next week to rip in and get his side to finals. A lot of the resurgence of Easts has come off the back of a strong set piece, and few players have been more influential in that space than Leeming!
FORTESCUE PREMIER GRADE - ROUND EIGHTEEN (DIVISION ONE)
It’s the last round of division one in Perth, with only four sides continuing on after this point. UWA and Wests Scarborough are guaranteed to feature in finals despite any results this weekend, as both teams have an unassailable lead at the top of the ladder to finish in first or second.
Now it becomes a matter of who takes the remaining two spaces, with a minuscule two points separating the remaining four sides. Anyone can get through, all you have to do is win. Nedlands and Cottesloe will have their work cut out, as both teams come up against Wests and UWA, respectively. Should either produce an upset win, their finals space is likely guaranteed.
Match of the Round – Perth Bayswater v Associates
However, should one or both of the teams go down to UWA or Wests Scarborough, then the winner of this match goes through to the top four. Both sides sit outside the top four currently, so the maths couldn't be any simpler: win, and you are playing finals footy! Lose, and your season is done.
Other Fixtures
Cottesloe v UWA
Nedlands v Wests Scarborough
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Rising Player
Hooker Qoriniasi Gucake has capped off a really strong season with UWA, grabbing a try for his efforts and displaying a strong performance at set piece as the current ladder leaders brushed aside Nedlands. Expect to see his name mentioned a lot more throughout finals!
JOHN I DENT CUP - ROUND SEVENTEEN
The top four is now all confirmed in the nation's capital, regardless of the results this weekend. Canberra Royals, Tuggeranong Vikings, Uni-Norths Owls and the Queanbeyan Whites will be the teams that play finals, although where the teams will play can still change.
This weekend Queanbeyan take on the Penrith Emus, well Wests Lions look to finish off their season on a high against Uni-North Owls.
Match of the Round – Tuggeranong Vikings v Canberra Royals
2 v 1. Only one competition point separating them. It's the biggest rivalry in capital clubland, but this particular clash feels especially potent - the winner of this game takes home the minor premiership. The Vikings will enjoy being at home, and will likely be wary of the Royals, having lost the other two corresponding derby clashes already this year. The Royals will likely go in as favourites, but as seen a few weeks ago when they lost to Queanbeyan, complacency could be creeping in at the wrong time of the year.
Fixtures
Queanbeyan Whites v Penrith Emus
Wests Lions v Uni-Norths Owls
Gungahlin Eagles - BYE
DEWAR SHIELD - QUALIFYING FINAL
Only two games remain in the Dewar Shield for 2022, following an enthralling semi finals last week. Harlequins booked their place in the Grand Final with a strong performance over Melbourne Unicorns, and are now staring down the barrel of potentially winning back the shield for the first time since 2017.
They'll be watching the final this weekend with interest, as Power House stunned the Moorabbin Rams once again to win away from home. Power House have shown a knack for surprising several teams, including Harlequins, throughout the year, so it should come as no surprise to see them go deep into finals.
Melbourne will be watching and wary of this Power House side this weekend as a result, despite having won the two corresponding fixtures against them this year. Both matches were intense affairs, with one blowing out into a try-fest and the other an old-fashioned arm wrestle. Victorian rugby fans, this will be one to savour!
COOPERS PREMIER GRADE - ROUND EIGHTEEN
Similar to Canberra, the final round of competition will likely have a minimal impact on which teams will take part in finals in the Coopers Premier Grade, however who will be hosting finals will likely loom over the results this weekend.
Plenty of silverware will also be up for grabs; Burnside play Southern Suburbs for the Arnfield Gardiner Cup, Adelaide University and Old Collegians play for the Allen Cup, while Woodville and Port Adelaide play for the Tom Pryor Cup
Fixtures
Brighton v Onkaparinga
Elizabeth v Barossa
Burnside v Southern Suburbs
Adelaide University v Old Collegians
Woodville v Port Adelaide
TASMANIAN PREMIER GRADE - ROUND FOURTEEN
The final round looms as a decider for who takes the minor premiership between Launceston and Devonport. The Bulls will take on University of Tasmania, the Tigers will face Glenorchy, while Taroona play the Lions and Harlequins play Burnie Emus.
Fixtures
Devonport v UTAS
Launceston v Glenorchy
Taroona v Hobart Lions
Harlequins v Burnie Emus
Enjoy your weekend, and be sure to get out to clubland and support your local club.
