Thrilling win sets up a grandstand finish
The Rugby League gods have set up a grandstand finish to the Blumers Lawyers George Tooke Shield men’s tackle competition.
Heading into the 14th and final round of the 2024 regular season, not only is the Minor Premiership up for grabs, but so are the top three, a second chance come finals, and the all-important top five.
To understand the Round 14 predicament facing GTS pundits, firstly, you must look back at an epic Round 13 of matches that were played on Saturday.
In the match of the round, the Harden Hawks hosted a big crowd as the Binalong Brahmans came to visit at McLean Oval, and supporters were gifted a match for the ages.
An appetiser for the finals series to come, the fixture ebbed and flowed. Harden led 10-nil before Binalong fought back, and the scores were locked at 10-all.
At the end of the game, a David Brown field goal separated the sides, and the Brahmans left Harden with an 11-10 victory and two crucial competition points.
The result puts Binalong in second place on the ladder, trailing only the top-of-the-table Bungendore Tigers on for-and-against.
In contrast, Harden, who went into Round 13 on top of the table, has been relegated to fourth position on the ladder but is still only one competition point behind the ladder-leading Bungendore.
Crookwell kept up their good form and is still fighting for finals following a handy 50-24 win over North Canberra at Kaleen.
Green Devils centre Dylan Coulter crossed for three tries in the big win, while Daniel Selmes also scored a double as Crookwell moved into the top-five and are ahead of the sixth-placed Boorowa Rovers on for-and-against
Cootamundra moved to third on the ladder with a dominant 38-12 win over the Rovers at Boorowa Showground.
The defending premiers are now under immediate pressure, and even if they defeat the UC Stars in Round 14, the Rovers campaign could be over if Crookwell surprises Harden at Memorial Oval.
Unfortunately, the UC Stars forfeited to Bungendore on Saturday, meaning the Tigers automatically took the top spot, with other results going their way.
The battle for fifth
A month ago, Boorowa had one foot in the finals door, but Crookwell has staged an almighty comeback to win their past three matches and move inside the top five.
On the other hand, the Rovers have lost five in a row, which means at least one of last year’s grand finalists will not play in the 2024 GTS finals.
For Crookwell, the equation is simple: defeat the fourth-placed Harden Hawks at Memorial Oval on Saturday and advance to the finals.
Still, the Hawks will be a considerable challenge, as they are playing for a top-three finish and a second chance come finals.
Crookwell can lose and play finals, but that scenario would leave Boorowa’s fate in their own hands, and they are set to host the struggling and winless UC Stars at Boorowa Showground.
Who earns a second chance?
Four teams can win the Minor Premiership or finish in the top three.
Bungendore should end up as the Minor Premiers, with the Tigers hosting a struggling North Canberra Bears outfit at Mick Sherd Oval.
The interest will be in who finishes second, third, and fourth.
Harden will like their chances against Crookwell, although the Green Devils are desperate to play finals.
Still, if the Hawks do away with Crookwell, as many pundits expect, that should secure them a second or third-place finish.
The real focus is on the match between Binalong and Cootamundra at Binalong Recreation Reserve.
If Bungendore and Harden win, the victor of the match between the Brahmans and Bulldogs will be in the top three and likely host a home semi-final in week one of the finals.
This would mean the loser will likely finish fourth and not get a second chance come finals.
Click here for the GTS ladder, draw, and recent results.
