Club corner is back to preview the upcoming season, with the current leaders across the competitions established, the long grind now sets in.
Many competitions are a few rounds away from the halfway point of the season, which means time is already starting to run out for the teams at the bottom of the ladder.
QUEENSLAND PREMIER GRADE - ROUND SEVEN
With Norths going into a bye this weekend after notching up their first win of the season, last year’s premiers Easts now find themselves at the very bottom of the ladder. While there is plenty of time to make up ground, it’s clear the Tigers will be desperate for a positive result when they host Souths this weekend. In other clashes, Bond Uni will look to unseat Wests from third, the Dragons will host Brothers
RUGBY.com.au Match Of The Round:
GPS v University of Queensland - a match up between first and second, this top of the table clash is likely going to be the club game to watch this weekend nationwide. Both sides have come off wins over the Bullsharks in consecutive weeks, with GPS enjoying a bye in round six. The Red Heavies will likely be favourites, but with GPS enjoying home field advantage this match has the potential to slip in any direction.
Other fixtures:
Bond University v Wests
Easts v Souths
Sunnybank v Brothers
Norths - BYE
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SHUTE SHIELD - ROUND SEVEN
Following a really entertaining round of rugby that saw all games deliver a lot of spectacle, round seven sees only Sydney University and Norths still to drop a game. Round seven see’s Eastwood enjoy the bye, with Penrith hosting the Galloping Greens, Norths face the Two Blues, the Beasties make the trip to Newcastle, West Harbour host Gordon, and Souths hosting Manly.
RUGBY.com.au Match Of The Round:
Sydney University v Warringah: Can anybody stop the Students right now? Six rounds, six-bonus point wins. Every game has seen the Students score forty points or more against their opposition, and what's even more impressive is that their scalps have included the likes of Eastwood and Eastern Suburbs. This weekend however they face the Rats, who currently are on the up following a disappointing 2020 campaign. Also picking up wins over the likes of Randwick and Eastwood, should they turn up to play we could have a great match on our hands at Uni.
Other fixtures:
Souths v Manly
West Harbour v Gordon
Penrith v Randwick
Norths v Two Blues
Hunter Wildfires v Eastern Suburbs
Eastwood - BYE
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JOHN I DENT CUP - ROUND FIVE
Similar to last year, round five sees Tuggeranong, Wests and Uni-Norths all sharing the top of the ladder with equal competition points. Gungahlin currently round out the top four, but currently have Queanbeyan closing in following their big win over Wests. This weekend current premiers the Royals will look to get off the bottom of the ladder when they travel across the border, while the Eagles will welcome the Vikings.
RUGBY.com.au Match Of The Round:
Uni-Norths v Wests: an important match for both teams, Uni-Norths may have an opportunity to jump up to first place should they hand the Lions their second loss on the trot. The men from the West will likely be up for this clash, given the context of what a loss here might mean for their season.
Other fixtures:
Queanbeyan v Royals
Gungahlin v Tuggeranong
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FORTESCUE PREMIER GRADE - ROUND SEVEN
Currently, in a similar situation to Canberra, three teams in UWA, Wests Scarborough and Nedlands also find themselves on equal competition points at the top of the ladder in Perth. This weekend sees that challenged even further, with Cottesloe facing Palmyra, Associates hosting Wests Scarborough and UWA travelling to face the Coastal Cavaliers, among other games.
RUGBY.com.au Match Of The Round:
Wanneroo v Nedlands: A very interesting clash looms in Madeley this weekend, as Nedlands face the fifth placed Wanneroo. The hosts have become increasingly renowned for being a real banana peel for the traditionally stronger teams in the premier grade, and this year is proving now exception with them currently well entrenched in the top eight. Nedlands will need to win to keep pace, and with Kalamunda also on their tails, a loss here could see them tumble far down the ladder.
Other fixtures:
Southern Lions v Curtin Uni
Associates v Wests Scarborough
Perth Bayswater v Joondalup
Cottesloe v Palmyra
Coastal Cavaliers v UWA
ARKs v Kalamunda
DEWAR SHIELD - ROUND SIX
Can the Unicorns be stopped? Currently eight points clear of their nearest competitors and with them still to drop a game, they sit in the driver’s seat come round six. Power House will face cellar dwellers Footscray, Uni will take on Box Hill, and the Rams will try their luck against the Harlequins.
RUGBY.com.au Match of The Round
Melbourne v Endeavour Hills: Despite the eight point gap, it has been clear that of the chasing pack, Hills are looking the pick of the bunch. In this 1v2 clash this weekend the Unicorns will likely be favourites, but judging by how much Box Hill pushed the ladder leaders last week, Endeavour Hills very much have the potential to win this one.
Other Fixtures:
Power House v Footscray
Melbourne Uni v Box Hill
Harlequins v Moorabbin
COOPERS PREMIER GRADE - ROUND SEVEN
Brighton maintains a six point lead at the top of the ladder going into round seven, with Burnside the only team currently close by. Following a weekend where defence really went out the window for all games concerned, this weekend sees a potentially interesting clash against Onkas, while Uni faces the Wasps, Port Adelaide hosts Southern Suburbs, and Old Collegians head to Elizabeth.
All fixtures:
Onkaparinga v Brighton
Adelaide University v Woodville
Port Adelaide v Southern Suburbs
Elizabeth v Old Collegians
Burnside - BYE
TASMANIAN PREMIER GRADE - ROUND FOUR
Harlequins currently lead the Tassie competition, with Launceston, Burnie, Glenorchy and Devonport in the chasing pack heading into round four. This weekend sees a top of the table clash between the Quins and Tigers, Burnie hosting Taroona, Glenorchy welcoming Uni and Devonport hosting the Lions.
All fixtures:
Devonport v Hobart Lions
Harlequins v Launceston
Glenorchy v University of Tasmania
Burnie Emus v Taroona
Wherever you are this weekend, we hope you enjoy your club footy!
