Club Corner is back once again to discuss the upcoming matches in clubland this weekend.
Who would’ve thought that we are already rapidly approaching the halfway point of several club seasons? The 2022 season has certainly left a marked impression on many so far; all the more reason to get behind your respective teams!
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SHUTE SHIELD - ROUND NINE
The Shute Shield hits the halfway mark this round, with the competition in a fascinating place. Eastwood currently lead the ladder, albeit only by points differential to Manly. However, the results from the weekend have shown that so far this season, anyone on any given day can knock off their opponent. While this makes predicting the season difficult, it makes every club match that much more enthralling.
The likes of Hunter and the Two Blues have been especially surprising with their strong surge in form, as compared with the likes of Gordon, Warringah and Eastern Suburbs, who currently find themselves at the lower end of the ladder.
This week the Stags will be desperate for a win against Sydney University, West Harbour welcome Randwick to Drummoyne Oval, and Eastern Suburbs host Manly.
Match of the Round – Warringah v Hunter Wildfires
While the Stags-Students clash will be a likely favourite for many of the Sydney faithful, our eyes will be watching the clash at Rat Park with interest. Warringah come into this match in very mixed form, having shown the capability to put teams away strongly, but also having very off weeks. After going down to Randwick last week, they can’t afford to drop this game.
However, underestimate Hunter at your peril! The Novocastrians come into this game having won four on the trot, including wins against Manly and Randwick. While they haven’t travelled as well as they are playing at home, a scalp at Rat Park will go a long way come finals, and they’ll know it.
Other Fixtures
West Harbour v Randwick
Gordon v Sydney Uni
Souths v Eastwood
Eastern Suburbs v Manly
Two Blues v Norths
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Rising Player
Over the weekend, prop George Thornton from Northern Suburbs had a fantastic game in Norths win over the Pirates. The young Scot impressed with a complete performance, strong domination at set-piece combined with an impressive running game. It was a performance that several Australian Super Rugby teams reportedly took notice of, so remember the name!
QUEENSLAND PREMIER GRADE - ROUND SIX
It is chaotic times in Queensland as we head into round six of the season, with the weather causing postponements and rescheduling nightmares galore! While round five saw more games played than the previous round, several teams come into this round with many games still in hand. Souths have been hit hardest, having currently only played two matches.
The opportunity comes again however for matches to be played this weekend, and with improved conditions forecast for Saturday, we will hopefully have a beautiful day for Indigenous Round. Brothers will enjoy the bye after their thrilling win over UQ, Bond Uni welcome Souths, Easts host UQ, and Sunnybank and Norths will square off as both teams look to get their first wins of the season.
Match of the Round – Wests v GPS
An entertaining fixture every time it comes round, this rematch of last year's qualifying final and the improving form of both teams bodes well for a thrilling clash this weekend. Wests currently lead the ladder (albeit based more on the fact they haven’t lost any games to rain), but they’ll fancy themselves an opportunity to fire a warning shot with a win over last year's finalists.
GPS have looked positive when they have made it onto the field, and while a lack of gametime may be their undoing, they definitely won’t be taking the Bulldog threat lightly!
Other Fixtures
Easts v UQ
Sunnybank v Norths
Bond University v Souths
Brothers - BYE
Rising Player
Brad Kelegai had a powerful performance for Wests in their win over Sunnybank last weekend. The flanker looked right at home on a wet track over the weekend, proving himself a ferocious defender and a strong competitor at set piece.
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FORTESCUE PREMIER GRADE - ROUND EIGHT
The second half of the season kicked off in earnest last weekend, with thrilling clashes and big blowouts the order of the day in the West. Associates, Wanneroo and Cottesloe all put in commanding performances, while UWA and Perth Bayswater edged results in thrilling clashes against Palmyra and Kalamunda, respectively. Round Seven also saw the first draw of the season, with the Southern Lions and Wests Scarborough unable to be split come the final whistle.
This weekend will see much the same, as Cottesloe and Associates do battle in the derby clash, Wanneroo facing Southern Lions, and Kalamunda welcoming Nedlands.
Match of the Round – Wests Scarborough v Perth Bayswater
One of the heavyweights of the competition plays host to one of the big improving sides this weekend, as Wests and Perth face off. While the hosts will likely be favourites, Perth have shown how much of a handful they can be if given half a chance, and definitely have the firepower in their squad to spring a surprise win.
Other Fixtures
Palmyra v ARKS
Cottesloe v Associates
Wanneroo v Southern Lions
Rockingham v UWA
Kalamunda v Nedlands
Joondalup - BYE
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Rising Player
Iona Vili enjoyed a well deserved inclusion in the RugbyWA team of the week, with his strength in the front row a major factor in Perth Bayswater picking up the win. While he’ll need to back it up this weekend, overcoming a strong Kalamunda pack will put him in good stead against Wests.
JOHN I DENT CUP - ROUND SIX
Canberra Royals still remain the only undefeated team after overcoming a gritty Gungahlin outfit over the weekend, and will go into the bye guaranteed to hold onto the top of the ladder.
This weekend in Canberra, Tuggeranong will welcome a hurting Uni-Norths side, who were outplayed at home last week by a resurgent Queanbeyan team. The Whites currently sit in second on the ladder, and will face Wests Lions this weekend as they look to close the gap on the Royals.
Match of the Round – Penrith Emus v Gungahlin Eagles
The last few weeks have not been happy hunting for the Emus grade teams. Many were curious as to how the men from Sydney’s West would perform in the John I Dent Cup, and while their Womens and Colts teams have impressed, a win still eludes the grades sides. They find themselves back home for the first time since round two, where they have shown they are much tougher nut to crack, and they face the other team still to post a win this year.
The Eagles have been only just off the pace for most of this year, improving on every week. Despite this, they look to have missed that winning edge to get them home most weeks, so a win in Penrith is vital to get their season started.
Other Fixtures
Tuggeranong v Uni-Norths
Wests Lions v Queanbeyan
Canberra Royals - BYE
Rising Player
Jack Wright had a blinder in the second row in Tuggeranong’s demolition of the Emus last week, with his workrate at set piece providing the Vikings with the platform they needed. Many folks in Canberra will likely want to keep a watch on this player, especially as times are changing at the Brumbies.
DEWAR SHIELD - ROUND FIVE
Harlequins hold a strong lead in Melbourne this week, following their demolition of the Melbourne Unicorns in round four. The current premiers find themselves in fourth and their first back-to-back losses in several years, with Moorabbin and Endeavour Hills also posting wins to jump above them on the ladder.
This weekend will see the bottom of the ladder go toe-to-toe with the top, as Endeavour Hills face Box Hill, Harlequins face Footscray and Power House welcome Melbourne University.
Match of the Round – Moorabbin v Melbourne
The Rams have been routinely threatening the Unicorns dominance over the last few years, and with several losses seeing the premiers now drop down the ladder, it is the perfect time for the hosts to follow the Quins lead and put forward their title credentials. The Unicorns will likely not be down for long, and a win against Moorabbin would put the rest of competition on notice as to the threat they still pose.
Other Fixtures
Endeavour Hills v Box Hill
Harlequins v Footscray
Power House v Melbourne University
COOPERS PREMIER GRADE - ROUND EIGHT
The halfway point in the season looms in Adelaide, with usual suspects Brighton and Onkaparinga leading the charge. This weekend, the Red Devils head to the Barossa, Burnside will face off against Elizabeth in a battle for third and fourth, Brighton welcomes Port Adelaide, Woodville face Old Collegians, and Adelaide University hosts Southern Suburbs.
Fixtures
Barossa v Onkaparinga
Burnside v Elizabeth
Brighton v Port Adelaide
Woodville v Old Collegians
Adelaide University v Southern Suburbs
TASMANIAN PREMIER GRADE - ROUND FIVE
The Devonport Bulls remain the only undefeated side going into round five of the rugby competition on the Apple Isle, and were especially dangerous in their demolition of Harlequins. Following a forfeit of Glenorchy giving Devonport the win, Harlequins will face Hobart Lions, Launceston host Taroona, and University of Tasmania will welcome the Burnie Emus.
Fixtures
Devonport 28 - 0 Glenorchy (Forfeit)
Harlequins v Hobart Lions
Launceston v Taroona
UTAS v Burnie Emus
Be sure to get out and support your local team. Enjoy your club rugby this weekend, and stay safe!
