The time of year is upon us once again, and with it comes the return of Club Corner, our weekly preview series where we showcase the upcoming weekend of club rugby!
This weekend sees two senior comps playing their opening round of footy: the first being one of the oldest club rugby competitions in the world, the Shute Shield, on the east coast, and the second being one of the fastest developing club competitions in the country over in beautiful WA, the FMG Premier Grade.
It is set to be an exciting weekend to kick off an even more exciting month of rugby, with the Queensland Premier Grade, John I Dent Cup, Coopers Premier Grade and Dewar Shield all set to kick off in the coming weeks.
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SHUTE SHIELD - ROUND ONE
Following the cancellation of the Shute Shield season last year - the first time a season had been canceled since 1918 - many in Sydney’s heartlands will be chomping at the bit to make up for lost time and hit the ground running.
This upcoming season has also an additional change, with the Penrith Emus being dropped again for the second time in four years. The Emus however will live on in premier grade footy, having been accepted to join the John I Dent Cup for their upcoming season.
The result will see the Shute Shield with twelve teams for this season, and all will have their eyes on last year’s in-form team, Sydney University. The Students were the only team last year to not drop a game, and not only that, they picked up multiple bonus point wins against some of the strongest opposition in the comp.
Being the best will see challengers rise however, and with the likes of Norths, Easts and Gordon not far off the pace last year, it creates an especially fascinating competition set up in 2022.
Match of the Round - Eastern Suburbs vs Northern Suburbs
The Shute Shield organisers have spared no expense this week, with several tasty derby clashes to look forward to this weekend. However, in terms of last year’s pace setters, the clash between the east and the north looms as the most exciting. The Beasties showed themselves to be a team on the rise in 2021 following years of underperformance, with them finishing the incomplete season in third.
Above them, however, was Norths, who have established themselves as a benchmark in the competition since breaking their silverware drought in 2016. With many of the Shoreman camp looking to make a name for themselves following that famous win, where better to start than at Woollahra Oval?
Other Fixtures
Southern Districts v Manly
Warringah v Sydney University
Hunter Wildfires v Gordon
Two Blues v West Harbour
Eastwood v Randwick
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FORTESCUE PREMIER GRADE - ROUND ONE
2022 looms as a breakthrough year for the Fortescue Premier Grade. Last year many commended how much the quality of the competition had risen, with fans enjoying one of the closest seasons for the last decade. The quality of the rugby will reach an even larger audience this year, following the news that a match of the round will be broadcast live on Stan Sport.
Despite the rise in competition, no one could stop the reigning champions Cottesloe from winning their third premiership on the trot, a feat they had only previously achieved one time before, back in 1985.
They had to work for it however, with Wests Scarborough, Palmyra, UWA and stamping their credentials as future title contenders. The stage is set for an even more exciting season!
Match of the Round - Wanneroo vs Palmyra
Where better to start the season than the first match that sees the premier grade reach a national audience? Two of the most exciting teams in the comp are set to do battle at the Kingsway Sports Complex. Wanneroo have proved themselves to be a real banana skin team for many heavyweight teams in the competition, picking up more than a few scalps and finding themselves in finals contention last year.
They come up against one of 2021’s top performing sides, with Palmyra showing throughout the season how dangerous they can be when they get on a roll. Going up against one of the surprise packages first up may serve in their favour later in the season, but that depends on if they can pick up a win.
Other Fixtures
Kalamunda v Cottesloe
Perth Bayswater v Associates
Southern Lions v UWA
Nedlands v Joondalup
Rockingham v Wests Scarborough
ARKs - BYE
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If you are in Sydney or Perth, be sure to get out and support your local team. Enjoy your club rugby this weekend, and stay safe!
