The Victorian Rugby season has reached its peak, with senior teams commencing finals campaigns for the chance to be crowned champions in 2023.
The best of the best of Victorian community rugby will look to make waves over the next fortnight, with 14 teams aiming to book their place in Senior Rugby Grand Finals.
Minor premiers Harlequins and Geelong Rams have already punched their ticket to their respective Grand Finals across VAILO Dewar Shield and Championship competitions, following wins last weekend in their Major Semi-Finals.
Who will join them this weekend? Check out our previews below.
Kicking off last weekend, two mouth-watering matchups saw the two best teams in the competition, Harlequins and Endeavour Hills, face off in the Major Semi-Final, while third placed Melbourne Unicorns took on Power House in the Elimination Semi-Final.
In their previous meeting, Endeavour Hills handed Harlequins their sole loss of the season, yet this time around Endeavour Hills were unable to repeat this feat falling 28-19 to the reigning champions who continue their quest for back-to-back Dewar Shield titles.
It was a win-or-go-home affair between Melbourne Unicorns and Power House, with the latter coming from the clouds to not only secure the final spot in the top-four, but overcome Melbourne Unicorns twice in as many weeks, with a 30-25 victory.
Finishing inside the top two has Endeavour Hills now locked in for a second chance this weekend against Power House, with the winner advancing to face Harlequins in the Grand Final at Box Hill Rugby Club, Saturday 26 August.
The 2023 finals series will commence this Saturday 19 August for Victoria’s premier women’s rugby competition, with frontrunners and reigning premiers Endeavour Hills facing off against Power House in the first Semi-Final.
The second Semi-Final brings with it an air of déjà vu, with WD/Northern facing off against Melbourne University for the second time in as many weeks. The final round of the regular season saw WD/Northern escape with a 10-7 victory, with another close game anticipated in this weekend’s Semi-Final.
Winners of each Semi-Final will advance to the Grand Final of the WRDA Lindroth Cup at Box Hill Rugby Club, Saturday 26 August.
The Dynasty Sport Premiership campaign has reached its pinnacle, with finals series commencing this Saturday 19 August. The first Semi-Final sees minor premiers Shepparton face off against fourth-placed Wyndham City. The last time these two sides met was Round 13, with Wyndham City causing an upset, recording a 39-26 victory.
Finishing in second place purely on points differential, Kiwi Hawthorn will face Northern Panthers in the second Semi-Final. These two teams met most recently a fortnight ago, with Kiwi Hawthorn three-point victors, with a scoreline reading 22-19.
Winners of each Semi-Final will advance to the Grand Final of the Dynasty Sport Premiership competition for 2023 at Box Hill Rugby Club, Saturday 26 August.
Minor premiers Geelong Rams and second placed Eltham set their sights on securing a Grand Final berth in the Major Semi-Final of the Championship competition. Both teams entered the 2023 finals series in red-hot form, scoring a combined 195 points between them in the final round of the regular season. Geelong proved too strong in the Semi-Final securing a 27-9 victory to book their place in the Championship Grand Final.
The second Semi-Final saw Maroondah face Ballarat for the chance to either advance or draw curtains on their 2023 season. Securing a top-four spot by a sole point on the ladder, a finals berth for Ballarat marked the first for the club since 2016. Unfortunately, their celebrations were cut short, with a 61-7 loss to Maroondah.
Eltham will now face Maroondah for a spot in the 2023 Championship Grand Final against Geelong at Box Hill Rugby Club, Saturday 26 August.
Tune into Rugby Victoria’s Facebook page for a livestream of the WRDA Lindroth Cup and VAILO Dewar Shield from 1:25PM this Saturday 19 August.
Senior Grand Finals will take place at Box Hill Rugby Club, Saturday 26 August. Entry will cost $10 per adult and $5 for concessions. Children aged 16 and under are free.
