George Tooke Shield promises a frantic finish
With only five rounds left in the 2024 Blumers Lawyers George Tooke Shield, the competition is heating up as both the men’s tackle and women’s league tag top-five are yet to be decided.
With some big games to be played, Canberra Region Rugby League has scrutinised teams and some of the more significant matches that will determine who does or doesn’t play in the finals.
Men’s tackle
Teams that are safe
Barring an absolute capitulation, the Cootamundra Bulldogs, Bungendore Tigers, Harden Hawks, and Binalong Brahmans will play finals footy in 2024.
The big questions are: Which team can win the Minor Premiership, and which three teams can earn a second chance by qualifying in the top three?
With two points separating the top four teams, Bungendore, Harden, and Binalong are chasing the ladder-leading Cootamundra.
Some intriguing fixtures in the coming weeks include Cootamundra hosting Bungendore in Round 11 and Harden in Round 12, Bungendore hosting Binalong in Round 12, Harden hosting Binalong in Round 13, and Binalong hosting Cootamundra in Round 14.
In the mix
Boorowa has one foot in the finals door and realistically only needs to hold off the sixth-placed North Canberra Bears to qualify.
With similar run homes, as both teams play three rival outfits above them on the ladder in the following five weeks, North Canberra would have to win four from five, or even five from five, to jump the Rovers.
Out of contention
While Crookwell and the UC Stars mathematically have a chance, both teams are multiple games behind the fifth-placed Boorowa Rovers and would need a minor miracle to make the finals.
Click here for the GTS men’s tackle ladder, draw, and results.
Women’s league tag
Teams that are safe
The unbeaten Harden Hawkettes are top of the table and short-priced favourites to win another GTS Minor Premiership.
Two games ahead of the tied Cootamundra Bullettes and Crookwell She Devils, the Hawkettes will take some catching as they look to defend another premiership.
All but safe
Cootamundra, Crookwell, and Binalong are basically safe, but there is a mathematical chance either Boorowa or North Canberra could make a late run.
Still, it seems likely the Bullettes, She-Devils, and Jersey Girls are playing finals, and the question remains: who will make the top three with the Harden Hawkettes?
Cootamundra can more or less end North Canberra’s chances in Round 10. In matches worth circling in the calendar, Cootamundra hosts Harden in Round 12, Harden hosts Binalong in Round 13, Binalong hosts Cootamundra, and Crookwell hosts Harden in Round 14.
In the mix
The fifth and final position will likely come down to Boorowa and North Canberra.
The fifth-placed Roverettes defeated the Bears 36-4 in Round Eight and leapfrogged their rivals following a 20-8 victory over the Bungendore Tigerettes in Round Nine.
Boorowa has a tough run home and will play the top four teams in the next month, making their task all the more challenging.
In contrast, North Canberra take on the struggling Bungendore and US Stars during the next five weeks, meaning the Roverettes will likely need to beat one of the top sides to stay ahead of the Bears.
Out of contention
Bungendore and UC Stars are both well off the pace in 2024.
The Tigerette’s only win was against the winless Stars, and it’s hard to see either side finishing with a wet sail and sneaking into the top five.
Click here for the GTS women’s league tag ladder, draw, and results.
