Club corner is back to preview the upcoming weekend of club footy across the country.
Sydney’s continued lockdown means that Shute Shield is scheduled to be out of action until at least the end of July, and with the recent news of Melbourne’s lockdown, the upcoming round of the Dewar Shield has also been postponed to a later date.
Despite this, there is still plenty of rugby for you to check out this weekend across the country, with finals approaching and plenty to play for!
QUEENSLAND PREMIER GRADE - ROUND FIFTEEN
Only three rounds remain after this weekend’s action in the Hospital Challenge Cup, and with nearly twenty points separating GPS and UQ from the rest of the competition, it’s fair to say the top of the ladder is all but secured for 2021. Five teams will be competing for the remaining two finals spots however, which makes the next few rounds particularly interesting.
RUGBY.com.au Match Of The Round:
Easts v Brothers - The current premiership holders have been on the comeback trail since a contingent of their Reds players returned to clubland. Despite this, they are eleven points off finals contention, so winning every game is their own chance to make it. This week they face a determined Brothers side, who currently sit in third and who will be desperate to maintain that position.
Other fixtures:
Bond University v UQ
Sunnybank v Wests
Norths v Souths
GPS - BYE
Watch every minute of the Hospital Challenge Cup on Stan Sport. Start your Free Sport Trial Now
JOHN I DENT CUP - ROUND NINE (CATCH UP ROUND)
Over the last few days, the John I Dent Cup has been catching up on the lost round nine in late June, which only saw Tuggeranong and the Royals. On Wednesday, Gungahlin consolidated their position in third place with a valuable home win over second-placed Uni-Norths.
This Friday, Queanbeyan and Wests will face off in a critical clash for their season, with only two points separating them and a finals placing up for grabs. In what has been an incredibly close season, the Whites have been the big improvers, but they face a Wests side desperately looking to hold onto their finals place. Expect plenty of fireworks at the border on Friday!
FORTESCUE PREMIER GRADE - ROUND THREE (CATCH UP ROUND)
It’s the final round before the Fortescue Premier Grade splits into the top and bottom of the ladder, which see’s the WA comp playing it’s third round that it previously missed due to lockdown earlier this year. While the make up top eight will remain unchanged, expect plenty of potential upsets, as some of the competition’s best players will be unavailable after being selected for the Western Force’s game against Bay of Plenty.
RUGBY.com.au Match Of The Round:
UWA v Wanneroo: While finishing in the top is guaranteed, UWA could still lose their top of the ladder position this weekend when they head to play against Wanneroo. A traditionally tricky team to beat, Wanneroo have squeezed into the top eight and have shown they have it in them to challenge all teams in the top half of the ladder, and UWA having several attacking weapons playing for the Force, will smell blood in the water.
Other fixtures:
Perth Bayswater v Wests Scarborough
Associates v ARKs
Curtin Uni v Kalamunda
Coastal Cavaliers v Cottesloe
Palmyra v Nedlands
Joondalup v Southern Lions
COOPERS PREMIER GRADE - ROUND THIRTEEN
Burnside have taken the lead on the ladder for the first time this season, following Brighton’s loss to Old Collegians. It’s an extremely tight finish to the season coming up as Adelaide Uni welcomes Old Collegians, Brighton travel to face Southern Suburbs, Port Adelaide host Burnside, and Elizabeth take on Woodville.
Fixtures:
Adelaide Uni v Old Collegians
Southern Suburbs v Brighton
Port Adelaide v Burnside
Elizabeth v Woodville
BYE - Onkaparinga
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TASMANIAN PREMIER GRADE - ROUND ELEVEN
Only three rounds remain in the Tasmanian Premier Grade, with Launceston currently holding a seven point buffer over last year’s minor premier winners, the Devonport Bulls. With several top of the table clashes coming up this weekend (notably a clash between the Taroona Penguins and Burnie Emus), the ladder will likely become a much closer affair as finals approach.
Fixtures:
Taroona v Burnie Emus
Launceston v Harlequins
Hobart Lions v Devonport
University of Tasmania v Glenorchy
Wherever you are this weekend, we hope you enjoy your club footy! We hope everyone stays safe.
