Club corner is back to preview the upcoming weekend of club footy across the country.
It is worrying times in clubland as, yet again, competitions face snap lockdowns. What is especially concerning however, is over the course of last week, rumours of potential season cancellations are now on the cards.
Starting in Melbourne, the latest announcement from Thursday afternoon is that all of Victoria will move into a statewide seven day lockdown. Rugby Victoria has provided the following information:
‘All Rugby activities will be postponed from 8pm Thursday 5 August, until 8pm Thursday 12 August.
‘Rugby Victoria will continue to liaise with the Department of Sport and Recreation Victoria and will provide clubs and affiliates with updates as they become available.
‘Stay safe, Victoria. Look after one another.’
It was similar news in Brisbane, with the announcement of South-East Queensland’s lockdown being extended to at least Sunday, meaning the final two rounds of the Hospital Challenge Cup will remain postponed for the immediate future.
Watch every minute of club rugby on Stan Sport. Start your Free Sport Trial Now
Queensland Premier Rugby provided an update on their Facebook page, stating:
‘Competition management staff are working closely with the clubs to work through possible scenarios to complete the 2021 season. We will be able to announce rescheduled matches once we have a clearer idea as to when we’re likely to come out of lockdown.
‘Stay tuned for future updates, in the meantime - stay home and stay safe!’
However, things are looking more concerning for Sydney’s Shute Shield, as the competition heads into its seventh week on the sidelines. Based on the possibilities of Sydney emerging out of lockdown on August 28th, the SRU will make plans to meet on August 16th to determine the possibility of clubs resuming the season in September, leading into a rescheduled finals series in October.
The SRU are yet to be given guidance as to whether such a scenario is possible from the NSW Government. However, if the current COVID situation worsens and the August 28th deadline is extended, then there is a possibility that the season could be cancelled and no winner declared, an event which has not occurred since 1918 due to World War I.
With three competitions now on the sidelines, this weekend more eyes will be on the rugby in Canberra, Perth, Adelaide and Tasmania, with this weekend set to serve up some fantastic club games.
READ MORE:
SUSPENSION:Trio not considered for first Test
MOVING ON:McKellar set to leave Brumbies
LOCKED IN:Waratahs re-sign Sinclair
JOHN I DENT CUP - ROUND FOURTEEN
The penultimate round of the regular season will be played out this weekend in the nation’s capital, and following Wests win over Tuggeranong, three teams now find themselves in contention to finish on the top of the table.
This weekend, Queanbeyan will be playing for their season when they take on fourth placed Wests, with six points separating them currently. A win here would be massive for the Whites in terms of their finals chances, as round fifteen sees them taking on the Royals, who haven’t won a game all year. Tuggeranong will host the Royals in a rematch of the classic Canberra derby, likely the biggest club game in the country this weekend.
RUGBY.com.au Match Of The Round:
Uni-Norths v Gungahlin: The winner of this game gets to challenge Tuggeranong for first place next week, simple as that. Only one point separates these two sides, and they have produced some of the best club rugby we’ve seen all season. A likely upcoming prelude to the finals, this will be a critical match for both teams, and will likely be a fiery encounter as a result!
Other Fixtures:
Queanbeyan v Wests
Tuggeranong v Canberra Royals
FORTESCUE PREMIER GRADE - ROUND SIXTEEN
With only two rounds remaining after this round, it’s crunch time in Perth clubland. Nedlands now hold a slender lead at the top of the ladder following their win over UWA last week, but considering how tightly jammed the ladder is expect that lead to count for nought come this weekend.
There will be a lot of top of the table clashes this weekend, amongst them Kalamunda hosting Nedlands and Palmyra taking on UWA.
RUGBY.com.au Match Of The Round:
Wests Scarborough v Cottesloe: both teams have been on the resurgence over this season, with the Gulls especially having to recover from a very slow start. Both teams will be packed with talent, and with the top two beckoning a win here would do both teams the world of good, especially when it comes to the finals mix come early September.
Other fixtures:
Associates v Wanneroo
Perth Bayswater v Joondalup
Coastal Cavaliers v Curtin Uni
Kalamunda v Nedlands
Palmyra v UWA
ARKs v Southern Lions
COOPERS PREMIER GRADE - ROUND SIXTEEN
The Coopers Premier Grade will be welcomed back this weekend after some time in isolation, with round sixteen fixtures going ahead and all other rounds lost set to be made up at a later time. Burnside currently hold sway at the top of the ladder, however expect plenty of fireworks from the likes of Brighton and Old Collegians, as they aim to hit the ground running after the break in the season.
Fixtures:
Southern Suburbs v Port Adelaide
Brighton v Onkaparinga
Old Collegians v Elizabeth
Woodville v Adelaide University
Burnside - BYE
TASMANIAN PREMIER GRADE - ROUND FOURTEEN
Despite a COVID case being reported in Hobart, as of Thursday night things are still expected to continue as planned this weekend in Tasmania.
The final round of the regular season looms this weekend on the Apple Isle, with Launceston enjoying an unassailable lead and set to be crowned as the minor premiers this weekend. Judging by the results last year however, they’ll likely want to maintain their momentum as Taroona and Devonport have shown they can both spring surprises in finals footy.
Fixtures:
Devonport v Taroona
Hobart Lions v University of Tasmania
Glenorchy v Harlequins
Burnie Emus v Launceston
Wherever you are this weekend, we hope you enjoy your club footy! We hope everyone stays safe.
