Club Corner is back once again to discuss the upcoming matches in clubland this weekend.
After several weeks of club rugby in Sydney, Adelaide and Perth, this ANZAC weekend sees the opening round of rugby in Queensland and the ACT. Combined with Super Round, this long weekend is set to be a perfect set up for rugby fans!
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SHUTE SHIELD - ROUND FOUR
Ahhh, what a round to relish this week! The Shute Shield has seen some excellent clashes in its opening three rounds, with Norths, Sydney Uni, Manly and Gordon leading the charge. However, in terms of sheer club drama, this weekend looms as one of the biggest in the Harbour City.
Several big clashes already loom, including exciting games out in Country NSW between Eastwood and Norths in Cowra, and Sydney University and Hunter in Mudgee.
But what will loom large are two of the biggest derbies in the competition. First up, Coogee Oval will host the Battle of the East, as the Galloping Greens and the Beasties go head to head. Then, we head north across the bridge to one of the must watch fixtures in the Shute Shield.
Match of the Round - Warringah v Manly
The Battle of the Beaches has become one of the most iconic matches not just in Sydney, but nationally, and with good reason. Both teams come into the derby in good form. The Marlins look to have turned a corner after several underperforming seasons, going back to back against West Harbour and an in-form Randwick team.
But the real indication of where they are will come this weekend when they face a Rats side that not only has had one of the toughest starts to the season of all the teams, but comes into this game with wins against Gordon and Sydney University. With both teams in promising form, this looks set to be one of the most fascinating derbies in a long time.
Other Fixtures
Randwick v Eastern Suburbs
Sydney Uni v Hunter Wildfires
West Harbour v Souths
Two Blues v Gordon
Eastwood v Norths
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Rising Player
In an opening season of exciting players and growing talent, Luke Glen showcased an impressive performance at Fullback for Eastern Suburbs against the Two Blues last week, being a menace in broken play and helping set up two tries in a match Easts were desperate to win. With the like of club stalwarts like Sam Fogarty ready to unleash him again this weekend, expect him to cause many headaches for the Wicks!
QUEENSLAND PREMIER GRADE - ROUND ONE
The Hospital Challenge Cup returns once again this weekend, and after such a tantalising (albeit, stop-start) season in 2021 that saw the Red Heavies claim their 33rd premiership, the stage is set for an even closer series in 2022.
Round one sees the competition hit the ground running, with Easts welcoming Sunnybank, and current premiers UQ starting their title defence against one of the big up-and-comers in 2021, Wests.
Match of the Round - Brothers v GPS
A significant match for both teams, the rivalry grudge match between two of the oldest teams in the comp looms as one of the most exciting games of the weekend. GPS will sense an incredible opportunity to win following going down in the grand final last year, and a win at Crosby Park will prove invaluable come the business end of the season.
Brothers meanwhile will be doing an exercise in testing their depth. With some many players called up for Reds duties (including Lawson Creighton for this upcoming weekend), many of the club stalwarts will be looking to make an impression and get the season underway in the right manner. What better way to do it than against the runners up of 2021!
Other Fixtures
Easts v Sunnybank
UQ v Wests
Norths v Souths
Bond University - BYE
Rising Player
A lot of eyes will be on Wests winger Ben Navosailagi, as he takes on the captaincy role at the Bulldogs. After claiming a hattrick in Wests semi-final loss to GPS, there is much momentum to see the men in green make the big dance for the first time since 2006, and a lot will rest on the shoulders of this exciting winger, especially if he maintains his form from last year.
FORTESCUE PREMIER GRADE - ROUND THREE
Following the Easter bye, rugby in WA gets back underway once again this weekend. Judging by the opening fortnight, this year is already looking set to be as close as 2021, with only four teams - Nedlands, Wests Scarborough, Wanneroo and UWA - still to drop a game.
This weekend will see some exciting fixtures, including Wests hosting Brothers, Wanneroo looking to make it three-in-a-row against the Gulls, and Kalamunda hosting Associates.
Match of the Round - Nedlands v UWA
A top of the table clash already looms for these two sides, serving as a perfect taster for the comp to feature this weekend on Stan Sport. Both sides are coming into this game with points to prove, after going down last year come finals. Nedlands started in flying fashion with a big win over Joondalup, but had to work for their second win over rivals Associates.
UWA ground out their two wins in contrast, scraping home against the Lions before having to wrestle down a competitive Bayswater outfit. It will be difficult to tell which competing style will come up trumps come Saturday, but it certainly sets the stage for a fascinating clash.
Other Fixtures
Palmyra v Rockingham
Kalamunda v Associates
Wests Scarborough v Joondalup
Wanneroo v Cottesloe
Perth Bayswater v ARKs
Southern Lions - BYE
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JOHN I DENT CUP - ROUND ONE
Speaking of close competitions, this weekend sees the return of the John I Dent Cup in Canberra, which over the last few years has become one of the most hotly contested competitions in the country.
Despite the closeness, since 2011 the premierships has been split between Canberra Royals and the Tuggeranong Vikings, however with teams like Gungahlin and Uni-Norths looking ever more dangerous every year, many are starting to wonder when that hoodoo will break.
This year also looms as an especially exciting one in the capital, with the news last year that former Shute Shield club Penrith Emus will join the comp, in a move unanimously supported by all clubs in the competition. Trial games already yielded results, with the Emu girls grabbing a win against the Tuggeranong Vi-Queens. The future looks bright for the men and women from Western Sydney, and with several notable signings and an influx of players, here’s hoping they can shake up the competition.
This weekend sees several thrilling matches, with Queanbeyan hosting the Royals and the Vikings welcoming Gungahlin to the South side.
Match of the Round - Penrith v Wests
As much as the other games in the capital will be exciting, we can’t go past the debut match of the Emus this weekend in Sydney’s west, as they play one of the exciting up-and-coming teams of the comp in Wests. While Wests will likely be favourites for this match, the talent that Penrith have brought on board will likely see them be a much more competitive outfit than in years previous.
If you are in Sydney’s west, be sure to get down to Nepean Rugby Park for this match and enjoy a wonderful piece of rugby history.
COOPERS PREMIER GRADE - ROUND THREE
Finally, we have the Coopers Premier Grade in Adelaide, which is set to have a solid upcoming ANZAC weekend, with ANZAC balls will be used in Womens, Reserve Grade and Premier Grade matches.
Interest in the premier grade is going, with a lot of focus aimed at increasing the prominence of rugby union in SA, especially if Australia lands both the Men’s and Women's World Cups in 2027 and 2029.
Currently Burnside, Onkaparinga and current premiers Brighton are still to drop a match, but with several heavyweight clashes this weekend that current state of affairs is likely to change.
Fixtures
Woodville v Barosssa
Burnside v Brighton
Adelaide University v Port Adelaide
Old Collegians v Onkaparinga
Southern Suburbs v Elizabeth
Be sure to get out and support your local team. Enjoy your club rugby this ANZAC weekend, and stay safe! Lest we forget.
