Club Corner is back, and finals are nearly here!
For many clubs in the Eastern states, this week looms as another round of regular footy. For others, finals have started a week early, with many playing for their seasons. No excuses now, one mistake and the season is over.
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NEW SOUTH WALES: CHARTER HALL SHUTE SHIELD - ROUND EIGHTEEN
History has already been made for the 2023 Shute Shield. Following wins last week, Eastwood, Manly and Hunter Wildfires all locked in their positions for finals, with the win over West Harbour an especially memorable one for the men from Newcaste, making their debut finals berth.
One spot, however, remains up for grabs, and three teams are up for grabbing it. Gordon hold a slender lead in competition points, but with premiers Sydney Uni finishing fast and a vastly improved Western Sydney also still in the mix after beat Gordon in Chatswood, it’s all on.
This weekend, with fourteen Waratahs (plus a few Wallabies) out in clubland, the Two Blues will look to win big when they play the Pirates, Manly host Eastwood, Norths welcome the Wildfires in a finals series warm up, while Souths and Eastern Suburbs finish their seasons at Forshaw Rugby Park.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Gordon vs Sydney University
There is so much at stake this weekend at Chatswood Oval, not just because it’s a 2022 Grand Final rematch and not just because of how strong this rivalry has been in the last few seasons: it is as sudden death a clash as it could be. While both sides could both be eliminated based on the result out at Eric Tweedle Stadium, it is more likely the case that whoever wins here makes finals. Finals has come early!
Other Fixtures (Live on Stan Sport)
Randwick v Warringah
Souths v Eastern Suburbs
Manly v Eastwood
Two Blues v West Harbour
Norths v Hunter Wildfires
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Rising Player
Randwick’s Irish recruit Cormac Daly has been a revelation as a tight forward, having currently played every single minute so far in the Shute Shield. With finals now locked in, expect the Coogee faithful to be relying more on his skillset.
QUEENSLAND: STORELOCAL HOSPITAL CUP - ROUND EIGHTEEN
While things are still up in the air in Sydney, the Hospital Cup is a more established finals run. Following a six point win over a determined GPS, Bond University will finish as undisputed minor premiers.
Brothers' strong win over Wests also shut the door on Souths having a chance at finals, meaning no matter the results, we will see Bond Uni, Easts, Wests and the Brethren as the last teams standing next week. Where they finish though is now the major question.
This weekend, Sunnybank welcomes Wests, Bond University takes on Souths, and Norths will finish their season against GPS.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Brothers v Easts
A Bunter Bowl clash that couldn’t be more appropriate, this match is most likely to determine how the top four looks. Brothers have an opportunity to finish as runners up (unless Wests defeat Sunnybank), while a Tigers win would ensure they lock up second place for good. Considering how traditionally tight Queensland finals series are, where teams will finish will be extremely critical for their finals run. Expect them to leave nothing out on the park.
Other Fixtures (Live on Stan Sport)
UQ - BYE
Sunnybank v Wests
Bond University v Souths
Norths v GPS
Brothers v Easts
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Rising Player
Taelyn Nukunuku will finish as one of the champions of the wider competition, despite his team Norths' lack of success this year. Currently sitting on a monster 175 tackles for the season (twenty above his nearest rival), he has been a bright spark that will hopefully lead to greater success for the Eagles next year.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA: FORTESCUE PREMIER GRADE - ROUND TWENTY
The regular season continues on in Perth, however finals is very much on the minds of many following round nineteen. True to form, Wests delivered a thriller, upsetting the inform side in Palmyra to put the rest of the competition on the notice that the title won’t be easily surrendered. UWA closed the gap on Palms as a result, with Perth Bayswater and Southern Lions also picking up thrilling wins! A round that highlighted that increasingly, anyone could beat anyone in this revised version of the Premier Grade,
This weekend, Wests take on Kalamunda, Cottesloe travel to face Wanneroo, Palmyra welcome the Southern Lions and Nedlands host Associates.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - UWA v Perth Bayswater
Both sides are coming home with a wet sail, which makes for a fantastic clash out at the Library. After holding on to first place for more than half the season, the Students will take confidence to get on a roll and potentially wrestle first back from the Palms. Standing in their way however is Bayswater, who are not looking strong, but have knocked off several heavyweight scalps. There will be a lot on the line on campus.
Other Fixtures
Joondalup - BYE
Wests Scarborough v Kalamunda
Wanneroo v Cottesloe
Nedlands v Associates
Palmyra v Southern Lions (Live on Stan Sport)
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Rising Player
Shoutout to Ford Hemi, who has put in a hard yards performance all season for Wests and showed really ticker in grabbing their win over Palms. With news of him being selected for the Western Force spring tour training squad, expect to see a lot more of him!
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY: BENTSPOKE JOHN I DENT CUP - ROUND SEVENTEEN
The final round of rugby looms in the Capital, with the top four firmly locked in place. Wests are guaranteed to finish in fourth, as are Tuggeranong finishing as minor premiers. However, with Heritage Round capping off the season, there are one or two more potential surprises that could loom in finals, especially with Tuggeranong going down in consecutive weeks, and drawing 27-all against Queanbeyan at home.
This weekend, Penrith finish their season welcoming the Vikings to Nepean Rugby Park, while Queanbeyan and Uni-Norths Owls look to finish their seasons on a high.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Canberra Royals v Gungahlin Eagles
With both sides sitting equal on competition points, this weekend is all about who finish second and takes that momentum. As the two teams who have recently knocked off the minor premiers in Tuggeranong, the Royals and Eagles have emerged into legitimate title contenders, which means this match could prove extremely critical in the context of the wider season.
Other Fixtures
Wests Lions - BYE
Penrith Emus v Tuggeranong Vikings
Queanbeyan White v Uni-North Owls
Rising Player
Shoutout to Lennix Tovo for a strong performance at fullback for the Tuggeranong Vikings, in a match that included a couple of performances against several Brumbies. Despite their mixed form, the Vikings have solid depth, and will be looking to regain form against Penrith ahead of finals.
VICTORIA: VAILO DEWAR SHIELD - ROUND FOURTEEN
Finals has gotten much more interesting down in Melbourne, with three teams in the running to take the remaining finals spot. Harlequins sit in a strong position to take the minor premiership, while Power House has roared back into contention with a dominant win over Box Hill, setting a grandstand finish between them, Melbourne Uni and Footscray for finals. Like in Sydney, finals has started a week early!
The weekend, Harlequins take on the Rams, Endeavour Hills will look to chase down the Quins with a win over Box Hill, and Power House will face Melbourne Unicorns in the ultimate test of making finals.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Footscray v Melbourne University
The two big improvers of 2023 come up against each other this weekend, with a finals placing on the line. Footscray will come into this match as favourites, but Uni have shown they are more than capable of knocking off stronger sides. It’s a simple equation: win, and you make finals. Lose and it’s over.
Other Fixtures
Power House v Melbourne Unicorns
Harlequins v Moorabbin
Box Hill v Endeavour Hills
SOUTH AUSTRALIA: COOPERS PREMIER GRADE - ROUND FIFTEEN
Brighton, Burnside, Souths and Old Collegians continue to open up a gap on the other chasing finalists, following yet another compelling round in Adelaide. With many top of the table clashes looming though, things are still up in the air as the season nears the home stretch.
This week, Burnside face Old Collegians, Woodville takes on Souths, while Brighton takes the bye.
Fixtures
Brighton - BYE
Burnside v Old Collegians
Woodville v Souths
Elizabeth v Adelaide Uni
Onkaparinga v Port Adelaide
TASMANIA: TASMANIAN PREMIER GRADE - ROUND TWELVE
The Apple Isle competition remains a two way horse race between Launceston and Taroona. With the home stretch soon approaching, it now becomes a case of who else will be making finals.
This week, Devonport welcomes Quins, the Lions welcome the Penguins, and Launceston welcome the Students.
Fixtures
Devonport v Harlequins
Hobart Hutchins Lions v Taroona
Burnie Emus v Glenorchy
Launceston v Tasmania University
Enjoy your club rugby this weekend, wherever you are!
