Club Corner: Club competitions ramp up in Sydney and Melbourne, Tuggeranong still the team to beat in Canberra | Latest Rugby News

Club Corner is back for another week, and with it we return to a full complement of competitions as the Shute Shield, Dewar Shield, Coopers Premier Grade and the Tassie Premier Grade come off the long weekend bye. 

After some big games in Queensland, WA and the ACT, all comps now head towards the business end of the season. And with that, every game becomes that much more critical.

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NEW SOUTH WALES: CHARTER HALL SHUTE SHIELD – ROUND ELEVEN

A misley six points separates the top six in the Shute Shield following a round of big performances in Round Ten. It was a weekend of statements being made, and several key clubs put their hands up for finals contention. Randwick, Manly and the Hunter all nabbed key wins, Norths stayed in the hunt but had to work against West Harbour, and critically, Uni sent a strong warning shot that they aren’t out of contention either with a commanding win over the Woodies at TG Millner Field.

This weekend, Warringah have a critical clash against the Pirates, Norths welcome the Two Blues, Souths travel east to face the Beasties, and Eastwood welcome the Wildfires.

MATCH OF THE ROUND – Sydney University vs Manly

Sydney University have a lot riding on this game. The defending champions have been in mixed form and currently sit just outside of finals contention, but their win over Eastwood showed they have it in them to rediscover this form. At home against a Marlins side that hasn’t lost a game since round six is the perfect opportunity to really close the gap and send a statement to the rest of the competition. The Marlins will likely be wary after the Eastwood loss, so the stage is set for a good clash where both sides won’t be pulling punches.

Other Fixtures (Live on Stan Sport)

Randwick vs Gordon

Norths vs Two Blues

Warringah vs West Harbour

Eastwood vs Hunter Wildfires

Eastern Suburbs vs Souths

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Rising Player

Flyhalf Lewis Dennett had a strong game for the Marlins, putting a full effort as their side put a big score on Gordon. Well supported by Thomas Hardwick as a finisher, it was a one two combo that put Manly in good stead, should they fire again.

QUEENSLAND: STORELOCAL HOSPITAL CUP – ROUND TWELVE

The competition is even tighter up in Queensland, with only four points separating the Top 4. Wests hold a slim lead at the top of the ladder, but given how close the games have been between the chasing pack in Bond Uni, Easts and Souths, their position is far from secure. In round eleven, Brothers continued to push their case for finals with a strong win over the Dragons, as did the Bulldogs over Norths. Souths overcame UQ, while true to form, the Tigers-Bullsharks derby more than lived up to expectations, with Bond winning with a kick after the siren.

The weekend the Bullsharks return home to face Brothers, Easts will look to bounce back against Norths, and Souths host GPS. 

MATCH OF THE ROUND – UQ v Wests

Similar to Sydney Uni, UQ have been very off the pace from their traditional form in 2023. Currently twelve points outside the top four, the next two rounds after this see them come up against some of the strongest opposition in the whole competition. Put simply, if finals are a real chance they need to start winning, now. Wests will likely be well aware of the threat the Red Heavies pose, and a win on campus would be a huge statement for their title defence. 

Other Fixtures (Live on Stan Sport)

Sunnybank – BYE

Bond University v Brothers

Easts v Norths

Souths v GPS

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Rising Player

Shoutout to Kohan Herbert, the tackle machine at Souths, who after eleven rounds has amassed an incredible 111 tackles. The Downlands player has looked stellar so far this year, and expect him to make more of a nuisance for opposition as the business end approaches.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA: FORTESCUE PREMIER GRADE – ROUND THIRTEEN 

The business end has begun in WA, and things have a dramatic turn following Wests thrilling win over UWA. The result now puts Palmyra in striking distance of the Students with a game in hand, and with so much on the line all upcoming fixtures look to have an impact on the overall ladder. Ideal for fans of the competition!

This weekend Kalamunda welcome the Gulls, Wanneroo face ladder leaders UWA, Joondalup host the Southern Lions and Wests Scarborough will have a thrilling clash against Nedlands. 

MATCH OF THE ROUND – Palmyra vs Perth Bayswater

What an opportunity for the Palms! With the gap closed and a game in hand, now is an opportunity for them to strike and apply ladder pressure on the students. Up against them is Bayswater, who despite sitting in fifth have looked very strong, picking up wins over Nedlands and Joondalup. It’s a critical fixture for both teams at Tompkins Park.

Other Fixtures

Associates – BYE

Wests Scarborough vs  Nedlands

Kalamunda vs Cottesloe

Wanneroo vs UWA (Live On Stan Sport)

Joondalup vs Southern Lions

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Rising Player

Shoutout to Wests Scarborough Lock Jhy Legg, who despite not playing in his sides win over the Students has been in fantastic form throughout the entire season. His efforts have been rewarded with a place in the Junior Wallabies squad that’s heading to South Africa. 

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY: BENTSPOKE JOHN I DENT CUP –  ROUND TEN

The reduced rounds continue for a second week in the John I Dent Cup, however the results still caused huge surprises. The Royals kept their season alive with a dominant display over the Whites, while Wests Lions prevailed by one point in a thriller over Gungahlin.

This weekend, with the Royals, Lions and Eagles enjoying their bye, the Vikings will play at home against the Owls as they look to extend their lead further.

MATCH OF THE ROUND – Penrith Emus vs Queanbeyan Whites

It’s been a tough season for the Emus. While the womens and colts teams have continued to perform and show great promise, the forfeiting of second grade games and huge floggings in first grade has highlighted that struggles are still continuing for the club. However, last match their effort against the Owls was a notable improvement, and there is a great opportunity for them to build on that with a stronger performance against a mis-firing Whites side hit by injury. Queanbeyan will likely still be favourites, but it’ll be a closer game than expected.

Rising Player

Viking Baden Godfrey has been in solid form for the Vikings so far this season, even though he’s been away on Junior Wallabies duties. With him named on the squad for first grade this weekend, expect him to hit the ground running. Despite not making the Junior Wallabies, his success while at the Brumbies Senior Academy suggests there is plenty of potential for him to transition to Super Rugby. 

VICTORIA: VALO DEWAR SHIELD – ROUND SEVEN

The last competition to cross the halfway mark this season, the Dewar Shield sees Harlequins remaining the undefeated side in the competition, despite scraping home against a strong Footscray. Round Six saw three games decided by three points or less, again highlighting how close the competition is looking. This is further reflected by how close the chasing pack is to each other below Quins. 

This weekend the Hills welcome Power House, the Rams take on Footscray, and the Unicorns travel to face Box Hill.

MATCH OF THE ROUND – Harlequins v Melbourne University

After scraping home against one of the big improvers this season, the current champions turn their attention to the other. Melbourne University have been picking up great wins and making history this season, and their newfound knack to stay in the fight has been a huge positive for them in many games. It’ll be a tough match at Holmesglen Reserve and the homeside will likely be favourites, but the Students have enough firepower to sneak an upset. 

Other Fixtures

Box Hill v Melbourne Unicorns

Moorabbin v Footscray

Endeavour Hills v Power House

Rising Player

Shoutout to the Rams’ Apolosi Tora for a stellar performance in the loose forwards, giving Moorabbin huge go forward and playing a major part in keeping the Uni clash as close as it was. Keep a watch on this exciting player!

SOUTH AUSTRALIA: COOPERS PREMIER GRADE – ROUND NINE

The return fixtures begin in Adelaide and Brighton sit atop the ladder following a strong win over Onkas at Wilfred Taylor Reserve. They face a challenger however, with Burnside also moving up the ladder and winning five on the trot.

This weekend Woodville host Burnside, Souths look to reclaim their ladder spot against Brighton, Elizabeth host Onkaparinga, Adelaide Uni welcome Old Collegians to Waite Oval, while Port Adelaide have the bye and play reserves.

Fixtures

Port Adelaide – BYE

Woodville v Burnside

Souths v Brighton

Elizabeth v Onkaparinga

Adelaide Uni v Old Collegians

TASMANIA: TASMANIAN PREMIER GRADE – ROUND SIX

Lastly, Tasmanian rugby resumes with a three way race between Taroona, Burnie and Launceston following big wins for all three sides in Round Five.  This weekend, Launceston take on the Emus at home, Harlequins welcome Taroona to Rugby Park, Uni host the Stags on campus and the Bulls welcome the Lions to Devonport.

Fixtures

Launceston v Burnie Emus

Harlequins v Taroona

Tasmania University v Glenorchy

Devonport v Hobart Hutchins Lions

Enjoy your club rugby this weekend, wherever you are!