Club corner is back to preview the upcoming weekend of club footy across the country.
This week sees chaos across clubland, with many competitions in limbo due to the ongoing lockdown, delays to the Queensland Premier Grade and the Shute Shield being confirmed as being out of action until at least mid-July. Several competitions are scheduled to get on the field though this weekend, so fans can (hopefully) expect to enjoy some good footy.
QUEENSLAND PREMIER GRADE - ROUND FOURTEEN
After intense speculation as to whether this weekend’s round of the Queensland Premier Grade will go ahead, the lockdown in Brisbane is scheduled to (hopefully) be lifted at 6pm tonight, meaning the top four grades will all be shifted to Sunday morning. This weekend, Brothers will host Souths, Sunnybank will welcome GPS and Wests will play Norths
RUGBY.com.au Match Of The Round:
Easts v UQ - The Red Heavies are on an absolute rampage right now, with eleven bonus point wins on the trot. However, this weekend they face the current premiers, who after a massive slump have started to finally play some games, off the back of welcoming several of their Reds players back. Despite their placings on the ladder, this will be a much closer match than many may anticipate.
Other fixtures:
Brothers v Souths
Sunnybank v GPS
Wests v Norths
Bond University - BYE
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JOHN I DENT CUP - ROUND TEN
Games have been cleared to go ahead for round ten of the John I Dent Cup, meaning fans in the capital will be able to club rugby this weekend (albeit with restrictions in place). The Vikings currently hold an imposing lead at the top of the ladder, but also hold a one game advantage over the chasing pack. This weekend, they host Gungahlin, while the Royals travel to face Queanbeyan.
RUGBY.com.au Match Of The Round:
Uni-Norths v Wests: a clash between second and third, this match looms as a critical fixture for both teams. The Owls will be desperate to catch the Vikings at the top of the ladder, and so a loss here will significantly dent their opportunity to catch. Meanwhile, Wests will be wanting to get on par with the Owls, and there is no better way to do that than beating them on their home turf. Lose, a potential home semi-final goes out the window.
Other fixtures:
Tuggeranong v Gungahlin
Queanbeyan v Canberra Royals
FORTESCUE PREMIER GRADE - ROUND TWELVE
The lockdown has also come to an end in Perth as of last night, so fans in the west will be able to enjoy some cracking matches this weekend. With only one round after this one until the competition splits into two divisions, this weekend will see clubs desperately trying to make it into the top level. Amongst the clashs include Kalamunda hosting Wests, Perth Bayswater hosting Wanneroo, and Associates welcoming the Southern Lions.
RUGBY.com.au Match Of The Round:
Nedlands v UWA: in terms of the weekend, this match doesn’t get any closer than this. First vs second. Only one competition point separates these two sides, with the same number of wins and losses between them. Nedlands have a slight home ground advantage, but expect this UWA side to turn up ready to play. The winner here will likely be taking home the minor premiership!
Other fixtures:
Associates v Southern Lions
Perth Bayswater v Wanneroo
Cottesloe v Curtin Uni
Coastal Cavaliers v Palmyra
Kalamunda v Wests Scarborough
ARKs v Joondalup
DEWAR SHIELD - ROUND ELEVEN
The Dewar Shield continues in Melbourne, with a close contest matching up between the top four. With the business end of the season now approaching, only Footscray is the only team that can no longer make finals. The chasing pack have to make their move now if they want to be in contention come August. This weekend the Unicorns face Footscray, Endeavour Hills host Uni, and Box Hill will travel to face Harlequins.
RUGBY.com.au Match Of The Round:
Power House v Moorabbin - fourth plays fifth this weekend, and with finals spots up for grabs a win here will be critical for both parties. Power House has the potential to really light this competition (pardon the pun), given several strong showings this year. The Rams however have proven a hard side to put away, and have been rewarded with their current top four placing. The result will make for a very interesting ladder come round twelve.
Other fixtures:
Melbourne v Footscray
Endeavour Hills v Melbourne Uni
Harlequins v Box Hill
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COOPERS PREMIER GRADE - ROUND TWELVE
The Cooper Premier Grade is enjoying a fantastic season this year, with Brighton holding on to the top of the ladder by only three competition points. This weekend, Burnside host Elizabeth, Woodville take on Southern Suburbs, Onkaparinga travel into town to face Adelaide University, and Old Collegians host Brighton.
Fixtures:
Burnside v Elizabeth
Woodville v Southern Suburbs
Adelaide University v Onkaparinga
Old Collegians v Brighton
BYE - Port Adelaide
TASMANIAN PREMIER GRADE - ROUND NINE
Lastly, Tasmania will welcome several close clashes this coming weekend. Launceston still hold a slender lead at the top of the ladder, but with a close chasing pack that could easily change. This weekend Devonport host Launceston in a top of the table clash, the Lions take on the Penguins, University will host Harlequins and Burnie Emus host Glenorchy.
Fixtures:
Devonport v Launceston
Hobart Lions v Taroona
University of Tasmania v Harlequins
Burnie Emus v Glenorchy
Wherever you are this weekend, we hope you enjoy your club footy! We hope everyone stays safe.
