Club corner is back for another week, covering the best that premier club rugby across the nation has to offer.
This weekend sees the final state of the year kick off it’s season, with the Tasmanian Premier Grade enjoying it’s opening round this coming weekend.
QUEENSLAND PREMIER GRADE - ROUND FOUR
The universities are currently dominating proceedings up in Brisbane, with UQ and Bond University (along with GPS in third), still to drop a match. The Bullsharks will be having the bye this weekend however, which gives opportunities for the Red Heavies and GPS to jump up the ladder, as well as give the chasing pack in Souths and Wests a chance to make ground.
GPS will host Sunnybank, Norths will look to get off the bottom of the ladder when they host Wests, and Souths will look to continue their good form against Brothers.
RUGBY.com.au Match Of The Round:
University of Queensland v Easts: while there are many excellent games this coming weekend, you’d be hard pressed to go past the rematch of last year’s grand final. UQ will sense a great opportunity, not only for revenge but to take a valuable lead at the top of the ladder. Easts meanwhile have struggled, with three losses on the trot seeing them at the bottom of the ladder. We know how much this team is capable of, however, and now is the time for them to show it if they want to back up their previous season.
Other fixtures:
GPS v Sunnybank
Norths v Wests
Souths v Brothers
Bond University - BYE
Watch every minute of the Hospital Challenge Cup on Stan Sport. Start your Free Sport Trial Now
SHUTE SHIELD - ROUND FOUR
It’s going to be a tough ask to top round three, but the Shute Shield showed it was full of surprises last week as several teams posted fantastic results. With Gordon licking their wounds over the bye this weekend after their loss to the Shoreman, now is a great opportunity for the other teams to step up to the plate as potential premier contenders.
The Penrith Emus will have a very tough assignment when they host Sydney University at home, the Rats will host West Harbour, Northern Suburbs will host Southern Districts, Manly will welcome the Two Blues, while Randwick makes the journey north to face the Wildfires.
RUGBY.com.au Match Of The Round:
Eastern Suburbs v Eastwood: both teams finished 2020 with a sense that more could have (and should have) been achieved, and it certainly looks like both teams are aiming to make amends given their positive starts to the season. The Beasties are currently riding high in second after their victory at the Battle of the East, but they are coming up against a Woodies side that pushed Sydney University all the way last week in Mudgee. Expect a very tight affair come this Saturday.
Other fixtures:
Manly v Western Sydney
Northern Suburbs v Southern Districts
Warringah v West Harbour
Penrith v Sydney University
Hunter Wildfires v Randwick
Gordon - BYE
Watch every minute of the Shute Shield on Stan Sport. Start your Free Sport Trial Now
JOHN I DENT CUP - ROUND THREE
Wests and the Owls currently hold a tight grip on the top of the ladder in Canberra, with the Eagles and Vikings making up the top four. While it is still early days, the Royals have had a very slow start to the season, and coming up against an in-form Wests could see them slip further if they struggle to show up. Queanbeyan showed considerable improvement last weekend, and will be out to try their luck when they host fourth placed Gungahlin this weekend.
RUGBY.com.au Match Of The Round:
Tuggeranong v Uni-Norths: after going down to Wests last week, Tuggeranong will have a point to prove when they return to Viking Park this weekend. Uni-Norths meanwhile have several scores to settle with the men in red and white, having had their seasons de-railed several times by previous trips to the south side. While it is too early to gauge this match in the context of the season, it’s clear a lot of personal pride will be on the line this weekend.
Other fixtures:
Canberra Royals v Wests
Queanbeyan v Gungahlin
READ MORE:
TEAMS:Brumbies, Force name teams for Qualifying Final
WHAT UNDERDOGS?:Kahui, Force gunning for upset
ON EDGE:Slipper wary of familiar Force
FORTESCUE PREMIER GRADE - ROUND FOUR
With clearance passed on Monday by the WA Government that local sport can resume, we are delighted to be covering the FMG Premier Grade once again. With round three being picked up later on in the season, this weekend sees us continue with round four with the Southern Lions hosting the Cavaliers, Associates hosting an improved Curtin Uni side, UWA making the trip to face Perth Bayswater, Palmyra hosting Wanneroo, Wests hosting ARKS and Joondalup set to have a very exciting clash against the ever unpredictable Kalamunda.
RUGBY.com.au Match Of The Round:
Cottesloe v Nedlands: the sharp drop off of last years premiers has been very surprising, with the Gulls currently sitting second from the bottom on the ladder. However, a rivalry clash could be enough to finally kick start their season, and what a start it would be if they knock off the team who is currently second from the top. Nedlands have been exciting to watch in their first two games, but nothing would signal their intent more for 2021 than a rampaging win here against Cottesloe.
Other fixtures:
Southern Lions v Coastal Cavaliers
Associates v Curtin Uni
UWA v Perth Bayswater
Palmyra v Wanneroo
Wests Scarborough v ARKs
Joondalup v Kalamunda
DEWAR SHIELD - ROUND THREE
Melbourne will see several interesting matches in the context of the season this weekend, with the Unicorns and Power House emerging as the current front runners. Melbourne Uni will look to get on the board when they travel to face the Unicorns this weekend, Endeavour Hills will host the Harlequins and Power House will host Box Hill.
RUGBY.com.au Match of The Round
Moorabbin v Footscray: the Rams went down last weekend against the Unicorns in a close fought encounter, however their success in round one showed they have the potential to be a real contender this year. They’ll have the chance to show that weekend against Footscray, but given how much the Bulldogs progressed last week in their brave loss to Box Hill, this match will likely be a lot closer than many may think.
Other Fixtures:
Melbourne v Melbourne University
Endeavour Hills v Harlequins
Power House v Box Hill
COOPERS PREMIER GRADE - ROUND FOUR
Round three was an interesting match in Adelaide, and suggested that the gap between the four stronger sides and the rest of the pack might be closing. This weekend offers several fixtures that give us the chance to test that theory, with Port Adelaide travelling to face Burnside, Southern Suburbs taking on current premiers Brighton, and Adelaide University facing Old Collegians. Brighton and Elizabeth currently remain the only teams still to lose, so every match here could be crucial come the end of the season.
All fixtures:
Woodville v Elizabeth
Burnside v Port Adelaide
Brighton v Southern Suburbs
Old Collegians v Adelaide University
Onkaparinga - BYE
TASMANIAN PREMIER GRADE - ROUND ONE
Lastly, the island state will finally kick it’s season off this weekend, with the Burnie Emus and Launceston Tigers returning to premier grade rugby for this season. Devonport swept through the competition last year only to fall at the final hurdle to the Taroona Penguins. They’ll be looking to go one better this year, as will all the sides following a shortened 2020 season.
All fixtures:
Launceston v Taroona
University of Tasmania v Burnie
Harlequins v Devonport
Glenorchy v Hobart Lions
Wherever you are this weekend, we hope you enjoy your club footy!
