Club Corner: semi-finals commences in Shute Shield, preliminary finals in Brisbane, Canberra and Melbourne
Club Corner is back, and finals have delivered some huge surprises in the opening week.
The last fortnight of rugby looms across four states and territories, and with big names knocked out in the regular season, clubs continued to fall after the opening week of finals. This weekend sees semi-finals in Sydney, preliminary finals in Brisbane, Canberra and Melbourne, and the last round of the regular season in Western Australia and Tasmania, and the penultimate round of the regular season in South Australia. The home stretch is upon us!
NEW SOUTH WALES: CHARTER HALL SHUTE SHIELD - SEMI FINALS
Four teams remain in the Shute Shield following a thrilling qualifying finals round, with Eastwood sending a dangerous warning shot to the rest of the competition by putting fifty on Manly, Randwick overcoming last year’s grand finalists Gordon in an entertaining clash at Coogee Oval, and Northern Suburbs ending Hunter Wildfires season in a thriller at North Sydney Oval. The men from Newcastle however have a lot of positives to take from this season, and here’s hoping they can use 2023 as a jumpboard to future success for Hunter Rugby.
This weekend, the semi finals get underway at North Sydney Oval in a double header, starting with Randwick hosting Eastwood. Both sides have been the most dangerous looking teams heading into finals, and with so much on the line this game might be the match of the round in terms of sheer entertainment.
Following it comes a return of the A8 derby as Northern Suburbs welcome the Marlins. The Shoreman will likely be favourites for this match, however they haven’t been firing on all cylinders like they have earlier this year, which could serve as a great opportunity for Manly to spring a surprise.
All roads will lead to North Sydney Oval, and with a sunny day predicted, it’s shaping up to be a perfect day for finals football on the Hill.
QUEENSLAND: STORELOCAL HOSPITAL CUP - PRELIMINARY FINAL - BOND UNIVERSITY VS. BROTHERS
Two matches remain in the Hospital Cup for 2023, and it looks like the stage is set for several more surprises. The semis saw defending champions Wests stun minor premiers Bond University at Crosby Park, booking themselves a week off and preparation for the big dance next week at Ballymore. Meanwhile, another surprise stunned the Queensland clubland fans, when Easts were dispatched by an on-fire Brothers side, ending the Tigers season in emphatic fashion in front of their home supporters.
The result sees a thrilling clash set to play out at GPS Rugby Union Club this weekend, with Brothers looking to make their first grand final since 2019, and Bond University looking to make their first grand final ever under the Bull Shark name, and first since 2007 when they were the Gold Coast Breakers.
The Brethren have good reason to feel confident, coming in on strong form and with plenty of Reds backing them up. However, with change afoot courtesy of the Australia A camp, things could change, and that opens the door for Bond University, who haven’t been firing on all cylinders for the past few weeks, to really rediscover their earlier form. They are the minor premiers for a reason.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA: FORTESCUE PREMIER GRADE - ROUND TWENTY-TWO
The regular season comes to a close this weekend in the West, following what has been a stellar season under the new format. The last round saw the Palms put nearly ninety on Kalamunda, Cottesloe stunning UWA, and the Perth Bayswater-Wests Scarborough match getting cancelled. As a result (and with UWA on the bye this weekend), Palmyra will finish as minor premiers for 2023, setting the stage for an exciting finals campaign.
This weekend, Associates come up against the Southern Lions, Wests Scarborough host Wanneroo, and Nedlands will take on Perth Bayswater as the Stan Sport match of the round.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Palmyra v Cottesloe
This match is set to be a beauty out at Tompkins Park, with both sides looking to be peaking at the right time for finals footy. Cottesloe, after a mixed start to the season have looked particularly strong over the closing rounds. Palmyra look a cut above the whole competition at the moment however, and it will take a stellar performance to beat them at home and show all finalists that this side can be knocked out.
Other Fixtures
UWA - BYE
Associates v Southern Lions
Nedlands v Perth Bayswater (Live on Stan Sport)
Wests Scarborough v Wanneroo
Joondalup v Kalamunda
Rising Player
Fionn McCabe had a stellar game for the Palms against Kalamunda, nailing ten conversions and a penalty goal in the eighty-eight point flogging. With the Gulls set to be a tougher opponent this weekend, expect more eyes to be on this exciting flyhalf in the west.
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY: BENTSPOKE JOHN I DENT CUP - PRELIMINARY FINAL - TUGGERANONG VIKINGS VS. CANBERRA ROYALS
Yes, you are reading that correctly. After dominating the 2023 season and coming through as minor premiers, the Vikings were stunned in last week’s semi final against a strong Gungahlin side with several Brumbies, prevailing 24-35 in front of the Viking Park faithful. The Canberra clubland were treated to another thriller the following day, with the Royals overcoming Wests Lions 38-35 in one of the best finals matches seen in clubland nationwide.
The result sees Gungahlin through to the big dance next week, and a return of arguably the most intense derby clash in the capital. The Royals will be the underdogs in this clash, but given they also surprised the Vikings last time the two sides played in Round Fifteen, there is plenty to suggest they can pull off an upset in this game.
With great conditions forecast in Canberra, Viking Park will be the place to be this Saturday.
VICTORIA: VAILO DEWAR SHIELD - PRELIMINARY FINAL - ENDEAVOUR HILLS VS. POWER HOUSE
For the second time in as many weeks, the Dewar Shield has seen another big shock in finals, again delivered by Power House. Going up against the Melbourne Unicorns, the Society prevailed in a thriller to knock Melbourne out in semis for the second season in a row, winning 25-30. The other result saw minor premiers and defending champions Harlequins prevail in a well fought clash against Endeavour Hills, earning themselves a week off and a spot in the Grand Final.
This weekend, the Hills will welcome Power House to Holmesglen Reserve, and they have good reason to be wary: the visitors have shown that they flourish in finals footy, with only Harlequins being able to stop them last year from claiming the Dewar Shield for the first time since 2008.
Despite the great form this year, the Eagles will need to pull out all the stops if they are to make it to next week and exact revenge on the Quins.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA: COOPERS PREMIER GRADE - ROUND SEVENTEEN
The Coopers Premier Grade enters the final fortnight of the regular season, with round sixteen only confirming the title contenders from the chasing pack. Of note was the thrilling win of Burnside over Southern Suburbs, keeping them in touch with Brighton at the top of the ladder.
This weekend, Adelaide Uni will host Port Adelaide in Port’s final match of the year, Woodville come up against Old Collegians, Brighton welcome the Onkas, and Elizabeth will welcome Burnside to Womma Park.
Fixtures
Southern Suburbs - BYE
Adelaide Uni v Port Adelaide
Woodville v Old Collegians
Brighton v Onkaparinga
Elizabeth v Burnside
TASMANIA: TASMANIAN PREMIER GRADE - ROUND FOURTEEN
The final round of the regular season looms on the Apple Isle, a season defined by Launceston Tigers and Taroona Penguins as the teams to beat. This weekend’s fixtures will likely do little to change the ladder based on the previous rounds, with the notable exception of the Devonport-Burnie Emus game, with the winner claiming third place on the ladder.
This weekend, Launceston will take on Glenorchy Stags, Harlequins and the Lions will finish their seasons at Rugby Park, and the Penguins head to campus to take on the Students.
Fixtures
Launceston v Glenorchy
Harlequins v Hobart Hutchins Lions
Tasmania University v Taroona
Devonport v Burnie Emus
Enjoy your club rugby this weekend, wherever you are!
