Club Corner is back for another week, and surprise results have continued to fly across all major competitions.
Only two premier grade teams nationwide had remained unbeaten until last week, and all three were brought down in thrilling contests in Canberra and Melbourne. With new ladder leaders in several competitions, the run home has just gotten much more interesting.
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NEW SOUTH WALES: CHARTER HALL SHUTE SHIELD - ROUND SIXTEEN
Randwick have leapt up the top of the ladder following a strong win in the Battle Of the East over Eastern Suburbs. Gordon also returned to the top of the ladder after a thrilling win over Wests, Manly overcame a determined Two Blues at home, and Sydney Uni maintained their charge forward for finals by knocking off the Wildfires in Newcastle.
This weekend Hunter will look to consolidate their finals placing when they host Gordon, Sydney Uni faces the Beasties, and the Two Blues will look to re-enter the finals race when they welcome the Galloping Greens to Eric Tweedle Stadium.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Eastwood v Norths
For sheer firepower on display, it is hard to go past the clash that awaits us at T.G. Millner Field. Both sides look set for finals berths, and with the ladder as tight as it is the winner here will likely have the better of the finals campaigns. Considering the strength of both squads, this will be one that is too tight to call.
Other Fixtures (Live on Stan Sport)
Manly v West Harbour
Warringah v Souths
Sydney Uni v Eastern Suburbs
Hunter Wildfires v Gordon
Two Blues v Randwick
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Rising Player
The Two Blues feature again this week, courtesy of the great brother halves combo of Rilloy and Reece Suesue. The rise and increased success in Western Sydney this year has been in part due to the strength of this combo, and there’s hope they can return the squad to the finals frame.
QUEENSLAND: STORELOCAL HOSPITAL CUP - ROUND SIXTEEN
Bond University have been presented with a golden opportunity to win the minor premiership, as they sit on top of the Hospital Cup ladder with a game in hand over second placed Easts. The weekend saw three teams put fifty on their opposition, but the big surprise came in Souths upsetting the Tigers to keep their finals hopes alive.
This weekend, while Norths have the bye several critical clashes loom. UQ will be playing for their season when they travel down to the Gold Coast, and Brothers welcome an in-form Souths in a clash that will determine who will take the last finals placing.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Easts v Wests
Both sides are well and truly locked in for finals, but with things as tight as they are between these teams and Bond University, who finishes with the favourable draw is still up for debate. Easts will be glad to be back at home and will sense an opportunity to knock Wests out of a top two contention, but with the Bulldogs fresh off the bye, expect them to come hungry for this game.
Other Fixtures (Live on Stan Sport)
Norths - BYE
Sunnybank v GPS
Bond University v UQ
Brothers v Souths
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Rising Player
GPS have been a competitive side, despite what the ladder in 2023 suggests. Hardworking prop Jack Straker has impressed at set piece for most of the season, and will be tough to contain for the Dragon’s forwards this week.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA: FORTESCUE PREMIER GRADE - ROUND EIGHTEEN
Our first big upset of the week occurred over the in West, off the back of an exciting round seventeen. Palmyra and UWA powered to strong wins, all but locking in their finals placings, however Perth Bayswater stunned Cottesloe at Harvey Field, throwing the top half of the ladder into an even tighter affair.
This weekend, Associates face the Bulls, Joondalup welcome Wests Scarborough, and Nedlands look to try and stop the Palms out at Tompkins Park.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Southern Lions v UWA
The Students got back to winning ways after prevailing over Kalamunda last week, and with the finals run home looming, will look to continue that form this weekend. For the Lions, their season is decided this weekend. Sitting as an outside chance for the top six, should they lose this weekend this would mark the final point of them being able to make it in.
Other Fixtures
Cottesloe - BYE
Associates v Kalamunda
Perth Bayswater v Wanneroo
Joondalup v Wests Scarborough
Palmyra v Nedlands (Live on Stan Sport)
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Rising Player
Mitch Taylor has been in stellar form in the centres for most of the season. Associates are on a strong run home to finals, and should they scrape in, expect Taylor to make a nuisance of himself for the top of the ladder.
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY: BENTSPOKE JOHN I DENT CUP - ROUND FIFTEEN
Finally, the Tuggeranong Vikings got beaten. In a thrilling clash at home, the Gungahlin Eagles finally ended the Tuggeranong winning run, prevailing 41-40. The Royals also got up, knocking Queanbeyan off at home.
This weekend, Queanbeyan welcome the Penrith Emus, while Wests Lions host Uni-North Owls.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Tuggeranong Vikings v Canberra Royals
Who’s to say the Royals can’t also pile on the pressure? The Vikings still have a stranglehold on the competition despite their loss, and with this classic derby looming they will be more than up for a big clash. The Royals will take confidence - if the Eagles can do it, so can they.
Other Fixtures
Gungahlin Eagles - BYE
Queanbeyan Whites v Penrith Emus
Wests Lions v Uni-North Owls
Rising Player
We cannot NOT celebrate the strong performance of Gungahlin, and with their backs delivering a strong performance a special shoutout goes to flyhalf Jack Hardy for his solid game management, skills and ability to unleash the Eagles backline. More great performances like this!
VICTORIA: VALO DEWAR SHIELD - ROUND TWELVE
The Harlequins became the last team in the whole country to lose their undefeated tag, going down in a thriller to Endeavour Hills in one of the statement matches of the competition. Other results saw Power House demolish Melbourne Uni, the Unicorns deliver a strong result over Footscray, and Box Hill win over the Rams.
Following these critical results, the finals picture looks a lot more uncertain in Melbourne, with only Harlequins looking settled as the sure fire inclusion. This weekend the Unicorns look to continue their form against Box Hill, Footscray host Moorabbin, and Melbourne University will be out to regain form when they take on the Quins.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Power House v Endeavour Hills
Power House have looked to have rediscovered their strong form in the latter half of last season, when should be a warning to everyone given the giants they were able to slay. However, this weekend they’re up against one of the heavyweights in the competition in strong form, so they will have to pull out all the stops for the win. The Hills have good reason to trust themselves: a win here would not only be huge for their confidence, but also looms as a means to lock in their finals placing.
Other Fixtures
Melbourne University v Harlequins
Footscray v Moorabbin
Melbourne Unicorns v Box Hill
Rising Player
Hayden Collins put in a stellar performance for the Melbourne Unicorns in their sides commanding win over Footscray, expect him to have a big game this weekend against Box Hill.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA: COOPERS PREMIER GRADE - ROUND THIRTEEN
Brighton, Burnside and Southern Suburbs all powered away to huge wins last weekend, furthering the gap between the top three and the chasing pack and all but locking themselves in for finals contention. However, the surprise results continued, as Woodville shocked Onkas to lift themselves off the bottom of the ladder.
This weekend, Souths host Elizabeth, the Tigers welcome the Wasps, Onkas welcome Adelaide University and Old Collegians return off the bye to play Port.
Fixtures
Burnside - BYE
Souths v Elizabeth
Brighton v Woodville
Onkaparinga v Adelaide University
Old Collegians v Port Adelaide
TASMANIA: TASMANIAN PREMIER GRADE - ROUND TEN
In a surprisingly string of close games, Hobart Lions, Taroona, Launceston and Harlequins all shared wins, as the ladder opens up in the Tasmanian Premier Grade.
This weekend Harlequins host the Tigers, the Students welcome the Bulls to campus, Hobart Lions host Glenorchy, and the Emus welcome the Penguins.
Fixtures
Harlequins v Launceston
Tasmania University v Devonport
Hobart Hutchins Lions v Glenorchy
Burnie Emus v Taroona
Enjoy your club rugby this weekend, wherever you are!
