Club Corner is back for another week, and the opening round of rugby in July saw multiple upsets across nearly all premier grade competitions.
Nearly all competitions on the eastern seaboard have entered the final month of the regular season, so with these surprise results further adding to a red hot season, time is running out for those now in the frame to potentially make finals.
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NEW SOUTH WALES: CHARTER HALL SHUTE SHIELD - ROUND FIFTEEN
It has some stiff competition, but last weekend the Shute Shield threw its hat in the ring for the most competitive competition nationally. Three sides in the bottom four picked up wins against sides in the top half of the ladder, as Eastern Suburbs scraped home against the Marlins, West Harbour beat Eastwood, and incredibly, last placed Southern Districts beat the Wildfires again!
Despite this, the Wildfires moved up to the top of the ladder as a result of picking up a losing bonus point, as Norths went down to Randwick at home. Such is the nature of how close the ladder is right now.
This weekend, Gordon welcome West Harbour, Souths host Eastwood, Manly face a damaging Two Blues side, and Norths look to bounce back against the Rats.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Hunter Wildfires v Sydney Uni
Last week was a critical loss for the Students. Now sitting six points off the pace for finals contention, they desperately need to turn things around as soon as possible, or risk falling off the pace and out of finals contention. This weekend they face a tough assignment of heading up to the Hunter to face the Wildfires, who despite sitting on top of the ladder have been having some seriously mixed form. An opportunity is here for the Students, but also for the hosts to rediscover that red-hot form that got them to the top of the ladder to begin with.
Other Fixtures (Live on Stan Sport)
Gordon v West Harbour
Souths v Eastwood
Eastern Suburbs v Randwick
Manly v Two Blues
Norths v Warringah
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Rising Player
Saiyasi Ikanidrodro has been jumping back and forth between first and second grade all season at the Two Blues, and it’s clear to see why: with a monster eleven tries to his name, the exciting winger is starting to make a name for himself and push for higher honours. Formerly having played at Penrith and Gordon, expect him to feature a lot more in First Grade.
QUEENSLAND: STORELOCAL HOSPITAL CUP - ROUND FIFTEEN
Finals spots will look to be secured this weekend in the Hospital Cup, with only three rounds remaining after this weekend. The surprises continued, with Sunnybank finally entering the winners circle with a thrilling away win over Norths. Easts and Wests overcame GPS and Souths, respectively, and in a crippling blow to UQ’s run for finals, Brothers stunned last year's finalists at home to keep their finals season alive.
This weekend, with Wests on the bye UQ will host the Dragons, GPS welcome the Brethren, and Bond University welcome the Eagles to campus.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Souths v Easts
A locked-in finals spot is on the table for the Tigers should they come away victorious this weekend. With Wests on the bye and Bond Uni four points off the pace, now is the time to strike and ensure one of the four spots is theirs. They come up against a Souths side desperately looking to stay in the hunt, grappling with Brothers for that elusive fourth finals spot. There is plenty to play for here, both for the two sides and in the wider context of the Hospital Cup.
Other Fixtures (Live on Stan Sport)
Wests - BYE
UQ v Sunnybank
GPS v Brothers
Bond University v Norths
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Rising Player
UQ might be struggling in Premier Grade, but their Colts are having a promising season, and exciting Number Eight Patrick Sowerby is one of their most exciting prospects. A great maturity as well as a strong commitment to set piece, expect him to make a strong transition to seniors when the time is right.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA: FORTESCUE PREMIER GRADE - ROUND SEVENTEEN
The upset results continued over in the West, as the Southern Lions surprised Wanneroo at home, Associates powered away against a traditionally strong Bayswater side, and Nedlands shocked UWA to deliver them their second loss in a row. Palmyra’s demolition of Joondalup now sees them jump up to first.
This weekend UWA looks to rediscover their form against Kalamunda, Southern Lions hosts Wests and Cottesloe welcome a hurting Bayswater side that will be out to get back on track.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Palmyra v Associates
The new ladder leaders won’t be taking this result for granted, having worked hard to get up to the top of the ladder. This weekend, they face the side that is looking as dangerous as they are, a monstrous Associates side who climbed up to fourth as a result of their strong win last week. Both sides already look set to feature in finals, but with them looking as dangerous as they are this match could prove critical in the wider season.
Other Fixtures
Nedlands - BYE
UWA v Kalamunda
Southern Lions v Wests Scarborough
Wanneroo v Joondalup
Cottesloe v Perth Bayswater
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Rising Player
Shoutout to Lions second rower Sorovakatini Tuifagalele, who pulled off a near man-of-the-match performance to get the Southern Lions over the line. If the Lions are to push their case for finals, expect this exciting player to be a major contributor to it.
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY: BENTSPOKE JOHN I DENT CUP - ROUND FOURTEEN
Queanbeyan got (sort of) back to form last round in the John I Dent Cup, as they managed a draw with the Wests Lions to keep their finals run alive. The rest of the round saw big wins, with Gungahlin heaping more pain on Penrith and Tuggeranong further extending their lead on the ladder.
This weekend, it will be Gungahlin’s turn to try and stop the Viking juggernaut, while Wests Lions welcome the Emus.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Queanbeyan Whites v Canberra Royals
In a match that will be critical for both teams, both sides find themselves sitting at the lower end of finals contention, and this result will likely determine who makes it through and who does not. The Whites started strongly this season but have since tapered off in form, while for the Royals it’s been the exact opposite. It’ll make for a fascinating clash at Campese Field!
Other Fixtures
Uni-Norths Owls - BYE
Gungahlin Eagles v Tuggeranong Vikings
Wests Lions v Penrith Emus
Rising Player
Vikings Hooker Samuel Thomas has been the recipient of over thirteen tries this season, the most in the competition. While a lot of them have been off the back of the Vikings dominant set piece, it is also due to his strong performance at hooker and in general play.
VICTORIA: VALO DEWAR SHIELD - ROUND ELEVEN
Another surprise result was dished out in the Dewar Shield, as Melbourne Unicorns and Power House rediscovered their form of old when they prevailed in thrilling wins over the big improvers of 2023, Melbourne Uni and Footscray respectively. Harlequins and Endeavour Hills meanwhile secured their positions at the top of the ladder with big wins.
Finals placings will now be on the mind of many, and Round Eleven sees all four clashes looking like critical fixtures. Power House take on the other big improvers in Melbourne Uni, the Unicorns welcome Footscray, and Box Hill face the Rams in a match that will likely decide the wooden spoon.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Endeavour Hills v Harlequins
Still, Harlequins remain undefeated. It’s been a stellar season for the current premiers, but this is likely the hardest fixture they’ll face in the regular season to maintain that: the Hills, at home. Endeavour Hills have been a strong side all year, and a win here would do much to their confidence and to open up the finals run. Plus, with only three rounds remaining after this, a win here more than locks in a finals spot for either side.
Other Fixtures
Power House v Melbourne University
Melbourne Unicorns v Footscray
Box Hill v Moorabbin
Rising Player
Jordan Schmidt put in a stellar performance in his sides critical win over Melbourne University. Should Power House maintain the rage and charge home to finals, Schmidt will likely have a big impact on that result.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA: COOPERS PREMIER GRADE - ROUND THIRTEEN
Brighton, Burnside and Southern Suburbs all powered away to huge wins last weekend, furthering the gap between the top three and the chasing pack and all but locking themselves in for finals contention. However, the surprise results continued, as Woodville shocked Onkas to lift themselves off the bottom of the ladder.
This weekend, Souths host Elizabeth, the Tigers welcome the Wasps, Onkas welcome Adelaide University and Old Collegians return off the bye to play Port.
Fixtures
Burnside - BYE
Souths v Elizabeth
Brighton v Woodville
Onkaparinga v Adelaide University
Old Collegians v Port Adelaide
TASMANIA: TASMANIAN PREMIER GRADE - ROUND TEN
In a surprisingly string of close games, Hobart Lions, Taroona, Launceston and Harlequins all shared wins, as the ladder opens up in the Tasmanian Premier Grade.
This weekend Harlequins host the Tigers, the Students welcome the Bulls to campus, Hobart Lions host Glenorchy, and the Emus welcome the Penguins.
Fixtures
Harlequins v Launceston
Tasmania University v Devonport
Hobart Hutchins Lions v Glenorchy
Burnie Emus v Taroona
Enjoy your club rugby this weekend, wherever you are!
