Club Corner is back once again to discuss the upcoming matches in clubland this weekend.
Following a lashing of the eastern states by rain, this weekend fans can look forward to sunnier weather and perfect conditions as club rugby gets back on the park. By comparison, over 20ml of rain is set to fall in Perth tomorrow, setting the stage for a wet-weather rugby weekend in the west!
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SHUTE SHIELD - ROUND FOURTEEN
Round Thirteen saw teams battle the conditions as much as the opposition, with more one-sided scores as teams adapted to conditions. The notable exception was a thriller between the Two Blues and Warringah, which saw the men from the west continue their excellent form and jump into the top six. While finals are starting to look set for the top of the ladder in Manly and Norths, a proverbial traffic jam has emerged in the middle of the ladder, with every result now having potentially huge repercussions.
This weekend Souths welcome Sydney Uni, Norths host Gordon is a classic derby at North Sydney Oval, and Warringah welcome the Galloping Greens to Rat Park.
Match of the Round – Hunter Wildfires v Two Blues
The Two Blues take the match of the round again this weekend, and with good reason. With only three points separating sixth from ninth, it’s creating curious circumstances for this clash. The Hunter has not been a happy hunting ground for teams of late, with the Wildfires winning four of their last five at home, grabbing scalps from the likes of Manly, Sydney Uni and Easts. They have shown inconsistent form however, which the Two Blues will be keen to capitalise on, currently on a three match winning streak.
Other Fixtures
Souths v Sydney Uni
Eastern Suburbs v Eastwood
Norths v Gordon
Warringah v Randwick
West Harbour v Manly
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Rising Player
Keep an eye out for Sydney Uni fullback Will Goddard this weekend against Souths. A gun attacker with a solid kicking game, it has been a year of strong growth in the Shute Shield. Should the Students triumph, it will likely be off the back of Goddard’s skills!
QUEENSLAND PREMIER GRADE - ROUND FOUR CATCH UP
It’s catch up time in the Hospital Challenge Cup. With a wet weather round originally scheduled, three postponed matches from round four taking place. It is likely to impact on the race to the top of the ladder, with Wests holding a six point lead. However, with second-placed UQ on a bye and third placed Bond Uni also not playing, expect plenty of ladder movement!
This weekend, Easts come up against Norths, while GPS take on Sunnybank.
Match of the Round – Brothers v Souths
This is a much needed fixture for Brothers right now. Following their thrilling loss to Wests last week, they are currently holding onto their finals placing, and should they lose, will likely slip down the ladder if GPS get up. Win however, and they will overtake UQ into second place. Souths at the bottom of the ladder, if there is anytime to realistically make a last ditch push for finals, it’s now. Given they have shown promise of more this season, a upset win is not out of the question. For the Magpies though, it is needed.
Other Fixtures
Easts v Norths
GPS v Sunnybank
Rising Player
It’s been a tough year so far for Norths, but one of the standout bright spots has been the recent form of centre Jack Peoples. Showcasing a really go-forward in last weekend’s game against UQ (which saw an improved performance across the park for the side), it was capped off with one of the tries of the season!
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FORTESCUE PREMIER GRADE - ROUND TWELVE
The penultimate round of the regular season is upon us in Perth, and with only two rounds left till the competition splits, the tussle for finals placings comes down to either now or never. Round Eleven saw several bombastic clashes, with Cottesloe, Joondalup and Kalamunda all sneaking home with thrilling wins. The biggest shock saw Associates down UWA, opening up a potential opportunity for Nedlands to claim the minor premiership.
This weekend, Southern Lions play once again for their season, hanging only three points behind eighth placed Palmyra when they face Associates. Palmyra have a tough assignment of their own, travelling away to face Wests Scarborough.
Match of the Round – Cottesloe v Nedlands
The Seagulls make the match of the round again this week, having snuck home by just three points against the Southern Lions. With a home final beckoning, they come up against a side who has an opportunity to claim the minor premiership in Nedlands. The equation is simple for them, win like crazy! Should UWA falter again this weekend, a win here would set up a grandstand finish in the final round next week, with the minor premiership on the line!
Other Fixtures
Kalamunda v Rockingham
Wests Scarborough v Palmyra
ARKs v UWA
Perth Bayswater v Joondalup
Southern Lions v Associates
Wanneroo - BYE
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Rising Player
Max Sawers put in a strong performance at flanker for Kalamunda in their critical win over Wanneroo over the weekend, as the Bulls look to try and finish the regular season with a wet sail. With a big performance expected this weekend against Rockingham, expect Max to really make a statement and push for his case to go onto higher honours in the west.
JOHN I DENT CUP - ROUND ELEVEN
The John I Dent Cup gets back to a full complement this weekend, with three matches back on. Currently in the standings, the Canberra Royals have shot ahead of the competition, and their dominance was confirmed following their impressive win at Viking Park last weekend. The chasing pack have a lot to do as we head into the closing rounds of the regular season!
The Penrith Emus will enjoy the bye this weekend, So Canberrans can look forward to West Lions hosting the Eagles, and Tuggeranong having a second weekend at home hosting Queanbeyan.
Match of the Round – Uni-Norths v Canberra Royals
A clash that has generated a lot of buzz in previous years, the Royals will be looking to continue to stamp their dominance on the competition with a win on campus. The Owls have had a very mixed year so far, but still sit in a promising position heading into the latter half of the season. Considering they've risen to the occasion on multiple instances against the Royals in previous fixtures, expect a free flowing match this weekend.
Fixtures
Wests Lions v Gungahlin Eagles
Tuggeranong Vikings v Queanbeyan Whites
DEWAR SHIELD - ROUND TEN
It's a chasing game right now in Melbourne, as Harlequins and Melbourne unicorns are neck and neck at the top of the ladder going into round ten! The current premiers have done well to bounce back following their string of losses earlier in the year, but they've had to work for every win as competing sides look to try and take advantage.
This weekend, Harlequins post Powerhouse in a top four thriller, Moorabbin Rams welcome Box Hill, and Endeavour Hills look to maintain their form against a resurgent Footscray.
Match of the Round – Melbourne v Melbourne University
The corresponding fixture of this match in round three saw the start of a whole bunch of troubles for the Unicorns, as the Students produced their first win against their rivals in eight years. Melbourne Uni will have a tough assignment this weekend as they head away, especially considering their recent inconsistent form. However, they are capable of producing performances like we saw earlier this year, which makes them a very dangerous side to watch. The Unicorns will be up for retribution, especially as they chase Harlequins for the top of the ladder.
Other Fixtures
Harlequins v Power House
Mooorabbin v Box Hill
Endeavour Hills v Footscray
COOPERS PREMIER GRADE - ROUND THIRTEEN
The Coopers Premier Grade acknowledges NAIDOC Round this week, in what will be a very special weekend of rugby and celebration in the city of churches. Adelaide Uni will welcome Barossa, Burnside will play Woodville, and Old Collegians will host Brighton to determine the winner of the Bob Burgess Cup.
Fixtures
Adelaide University v Barossa
Elizabeth v Onkaparinga
Burnside v Woodville
Old Collegians v Brighton
Southern Suburbs v Port Adelaide
TASMANIAN PREMIER GRADE - ROUND NINE
Launceston have opened up a commanding lead in the Tasmanian Premier Grade going into round nine, following their strong win over second-placed Devonport last round. This weekend the Bulls look to get back to winning ways against the Lions, Taroona will play Harlequins and Launceston will travel down to Hobart to face the Students.
Fixtures
Devonport v Hobart Lions
Taroona v Harlequins
Glenorchy v Burnie Emus
UTAS v Launceston
Enjoy your weekend, and be sure to get out to clubland and support your local club. Go the Wallabies!
