Hospital Cup Season Preview

Fri, Apr 9, 2021, 6:30 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
It's all systems go for the Allsports Physiotherapy Hospital Challenge Cup in 2021.

The Hospital Cup is set to kick off on Saturday, with Easts looking to defend their title as the best club in Australia.

With every game live on Stan Sport, it shapes to be one of the best seasons yet as players look to make a name for themselves and break into the Reds line-up.

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Main title contenders

Easts will once again enter the season as the team to beat, establishing themselves as the premier club in Australia with a 14-13 win over Gordon in the Australian Club Championship.

However, the retirement of former Wallaby and Alec Evans Medalist Ben Mowen, Aidan Toua and Michael Gunn will be tough to fill and provides an opening for clubs looking to take the crown.

The chasing pack is headlined by the University of Queensland, who will once again turn to teenage sensation Mac Grealy as they look to go one better in 2021.

Along with this, Bond University and GPS will be bolstered by their finals appearances in 2020, eager to take that next step and challenge last year's finalists.

After missing the finals by a point, Brothers will be eager to push for finals football, whilst the likes of Sunnybank and Wests will be hoping for better seasons.

Players to watch and key off-field signings

Given the hype, Mac Grealy looms as the player to watch for those not familiar with the 19-year-old's incredible talent.

As well as Grealy, young halfback Phoenix Hunt has been earmarked for a big season, making the move from Easts to Brothers after the Brethren missed the finals in agonising fashion in 2020.

Jordan Luke (Western Force) and Conor Chittenden (West Harbour) return for Norths, with former Wests head coach Pat Byron hoping that they can spearhead their push for a finals birth.

Meanwhile, promising lock Josh Fenner will be looking to guide Sunnybank to the finals after returning from a stint with Premiership club Wasps.

Must-watch fixtures

With every game live on Stan Sport, there is no excuse to miss the next generation of Reds players set to make a name for themselves.

University of Queensland and Brothers will resume their rivalry in the opening round as they look to send a message to the rest of the competition.

UQ will then get a chance to face the defending premiers in Round Four when they take on Easts.

In the build-up to the finals, GPS will be looking to make up for their shock loss to Bond University in Round 14.

For full 2021 fixtures, click HERE

Prediction

Whilst Easts looked good against Gordon, it'll be interesting to see how they deal with life without Mowen, Toua and Gunn.

Given they defeated Easts in the Qualifying Final, UQ will be motivated to go one better.

With the likes of Grealy and Jock Campbell set to feature towards the end of the year, they will be a tough team to beat towards the end of the year.

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