Club corner is back to preview the upcoming weekend of club footy across the country.
Sydney’s Shute Shield will be on the sidelines for at least another four weeks as NSW’s lockdown continues to worsen. However, the Dewar Shield will be returning follow Victoria exiting their lockdown, while the Cooper’s Premier Grade is scheduled to return on August 7th.
Club rugby continues on in the other states as normal, as finals continue to approach and penultimate rounds arrive in Tasmania and Queensland.
QUEENSLAND PREMIER GRADE - ROUND SEVENTEEN
The penultimate round of the Hospital Challenge Cup awaits this weekend, and with UQ on the bye following their surprise loss to GPS, the race for finals has potentially thrown a last minute surprise in the works. GPS currently sit nine points off the Red Heavies, but if they pick up a bonus point win against third-placed Wests they would be within striking distance to steal the minor premiership in the final round.
RUGBY.com.au Match Of The Round:
Bond University v Brothers - UQ, GPS and Wests are now all but guaranteed a run into semi-finals, with Brothers sitting two points behind taking up the remaining finals spot on the ladder. However, the only team that can realistically catch them is the Bull Sharks, who this weekend will be playing, quite literally, for their season. If Brothers win, a potential third place finish is on the cards. If Bond University wins, they’ll be in contention to take fourth place. Lose, and their season is over.
Other fixtures:
Easts v Norths
Sunnybank v Souths
GPS v Wests
UQ - BYE
Watch every minute of the Hospital Challenge Cup on Stan Sport. Start your Free Sport Trial Now
JOHN I DENT CUP - ROUND THIRTEEN
Following our preview of Round 12, the conditions in Canberra meant all games were called off. Following consultation with the six premier clubs, the community rugby community declared a washout, with no points to be awarded for the three fixtures.
This means we find ourselves in the same position as last week, with seven points separating the Tuggeranong Vikings from the chasing pack, and are almost certainly guaranteed a finals place. Four teams however are still a mathematical chance of making finals, which means like previous years it’ll be a mad dash for all teams in the capital to secure finals placings.
RUGBY.com.au Match Of The Round:
Queanbeyan v Uni-Norths: Queanbeyan have been a much improved side this year, but sit only two points off the top four. With Wests having to make the trip to Tuggeranong, now the Whites find themselves with a golden opportunity to top off that improvement by grabbing a finals position. Uni-Norths hold a precarious position in third, having the potential to both top the ladder and also lose their finals placing, depending on how they perform. This match will be critical for both sides in this season!
Other Fixtures:
Canberra Royals v Gungahlin
Tuggeranong v Wests
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FORTESCUE PREMIER GRADE - ROUND FIFTEEN
UWA and Nedlands are sitting on equal competition points in Fortescue Premier Grade, with only points differential heading the Students a slight advantage. With the top teams looking established heading into the final four rounds of regular season, home finals placings will now be up for grabs.
RUGBY.com.au Match Of The Round:
UWA v Nedlands: arguably the club rugby game of the round nationally, these two teams have gotten to a point where only points differential separates them. Both have held the top of the ladder on numerous occasions, so a win here will likely be the winner of the minor premiership. UWA have homeground advantage, and won the corresponding fixture earlier this year by three points. Nedlands however do have it in them to beat this side, so the winner will likely be the team who turns up on the day!
Other fixtures:
Wanneroo v Joondalup
Perth Bayswater v Associates
Curtin Uni v Southern Lions
Coastal Cavaliers v ARKs
Palmyra v Cottesloe
Wests Scarborough v Kalamunda
DEWAR SHIELD - ROUND TWELVE
To say the Dewar Shield has had a chaotic season would be an understatement, but this weekend they finally return to the field yet again to resume their season. Four more rounds remain in their regular season (including rounds that need to be caught up), so rugby fans in Melbourne can expect to see their teams hopefully complete a full season of competition (with COVID regulations in place).
RUGBY.com.au Match Of The Round:
Harlequins v Endeavour Hills: Three points separate the Unicorns from Endeavour Hills in second place, and only four points from Harlequins in third. This weekend sees these two contenders squaring off, in what will likely be a critical clash as they make their final preparations to challenge the current premiers.
Other fixtures:
Footscray v Moorabbin
Melbourne Uni v Melbourne
Box Hill v Power House
TASMANIAN PREMIER GRADE - ROUND THIRTEEN
Launceston currently holds a seven point advantage going into the penultimate round of the Tasmanian Premier Grade, meaning they will finish as minor premiers if they beat Glenorchy this weekend. Devonport, Taroona and Burnie will be looking to tie up their finishing places in the season this weekend as well.
Fixtures:
Taroona v University of Tasmania
Devonport v Burnie Emus
Hobart Lions v Harlequins
Glenorchy v Launceston
Wherever you are this weekend, we hope you enjoy your club footy! We hope everyone stays safe.
