GTS teams playing for survival
After 14 rounds of the Blumers Lawyers George Tooke Shield, the top five have sorted themselves out in the men’s tackle and league tag competitions, with finals kicking off on Saturday.
Still, finals are a different beast, and it doesn’t matter where teams finished on the ladder; those wanting to win the premiership must prove themselves in the GTS post-season cauldron.
It’s elimination rugby league in Cootamundra on Saturday, with teams afforded no second chances as they look to make a sustained run towards the GTS Grand Final on August 31st.
The men’s tackle match promises fireworks, with the Bulldogs hosting reigning premiers Boorowa at Les Boy Oval.
Cootamundra missed finals in 2023, but they have been one of the strongest sides in 2024, even sitting in first position at different stages.
Unfortunately, three losses in four weeks, including defeats to Bungendore (26-24) in Round 11, Harden (34-22) in Round 12, and Binalong (28-4) in Round 14 have put the pressure on the Dave Buttriss-coached Bulldogs.
They host a Boorowa team capable of causing a big upset. The Rovers hit the ground running in the 2023 finals before eventually lifting the trophy, and they have a list of players with big-game experience under their belts.
It would be silly to write off the Alex Stewart-coach Boorowa team, and spectators should expect a thrilling match in Cootamundra.
Still, the game of the day should be the league tag fixture between Binalong and North Canberra.
The Jersey Girls narrowly missed out on a top-three finish with a 10-8 loss to Cootamundra in Round 14, sealing them an elimination final appearance.
While Binalong is heading to Cootamundra as favourites, they take on a Bears outfit that has developed a reputation as giant killers.
The Bears defeated reigning premiers Harden 8-6 in Round 11 before a shock 28-18 win over heavyweights Crookwell in Round 13.
The Bears are building towards finals very strongly, and they will like their chances of causing another upset result.
Bullettes and She Devils earn a second chance
After consistent seasons, where they finished second and third, respectively, the Cootamundra Bullettes and Crookwell She Devils are guaranteed a second chance following Saturday’s qualifying final at Binalong Recreation Oval.
It’s a simple equation for the pair: win and earn a chance to play the Harden Hawkettes in the preliminary final for a spot in the Grand Final, or lose and try your luck against the elimination final winner between Binalong and North Canberra.
It’s set to be an epic match, with the sides one apiece heading into finals.
Crookwell was too strong for Binalong way back in Round One, winning 24-14 at Memorial Oval, while in Round Eight, the Jersey Girls squared the ledger, winning 12-6 at Binalong Recreation Oval.
It’s a similar story in the men’s tackle competition, with arch-rivals Binalong and Harden doing battle ahead of a preliminary final against the ladder-leading Bungendore Tigers.
The Brahmans have the home-ground advantage, and the ledger is again even at one apiece.
Harden won their Round Seven match 14-10 when playing at Binalong, while in Round 13, Binalong hit back to win 11-10 at McLean Oval.
The winner will earn the right to play Bungendore in next weekend’s preliminary final, but the loser will get a second chance.
They will play the winner of Saturday’s elimination final between Cootamundra and Boorowa.
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