With both the John I Dent Cup and Premier 15's competitions coming to a close, the draw for the Semi-Finals has now been locked in, with four enticing matchups on the cards.
Saturday August 17, 3:30pm at Viking Park
A top of the table clash on Saturday will determine our first Grand Finalist in 2024 as the red-hot Vikings take on a recently dominant Royals side on Saturday.
The Vikings have been the most consistent side on the park all season, but a heavy Brumbies injection to the Royals have made the side in blue a true force in the competition. Both sides offer plenty of strike across the park with game breakers in the forwards through Baden Godfrey from the Vikings and Rory Scott of Royals. The backlines seem evenly matched also, with strong midfield pairings on both sides through Junior Time Taotua linking with veteran Andrew Robinson offering both spark and consistency while Royals counter with Brumbies Under 20's player of the year Jarrah McLeod and skipper Lincoln Smith.
An impossible matchup to predict, all eyes will be on Viking Park on Saturday for the clash of titans.
Sunday August 18, 3:30pm at Viking Park
Both sides offering immense star power, the Sunday elimination semi will likely be decided by one of two men; Declan Meredith or Klayton Thorn.
The standout men from both sides finished the regular season non top of the try scorer tallies with the Brumby duo making the difference each and every week at club level. With both offering plenty of point scoring ability both through playmaking and individual efforts, their respective sides undoubtedly play off the back of their impact. With both to be targeted defensively look for key matchup of the number eight's to shine also. Shammah Tiumalu of Gungahlin has put together quite the highlight reel in 2024, with rattling tackles and barnstorming carries a regular weapon in is arsenal. On the other hand two-time Power Player of the Week Moeaki Toma of Wests has shown his consistency through the 15 Round regular season and is sure to be a key threat to the Eagles both defensively and with the ball in hand.
Saturday August 17, 1:50pm at Viking Park
The Tuggeranong Vi-Queens have certainly been the dominant side in Premier 15's, losing just two matches this season. The Gungahlin side however get the chance at revenge after just suffering a Round 15 defeat to Tuggeranong.
With the five point loss fresh in their mind expect try-scoring sensation April Downey in her usual dangerous form as consistent halfback Amy Rebera continues to clinically guide her side around the park. On the other side of the park versatile the Siena Edwards continues to play across the park in any position needed and is a threat anywhere in the backs with a lethal boot and footwork to back it.
Sunday August 18, 1:50pm at Viking Park
Another intriguing match as the late surging Uni-Norths Owls take on the always competitive Royals women.
Uni-Norths have benefitted from a Wallaroos bolstered side with multiple national representatives donning the uni colours. However a consistent force for the side is Charlie Brigstocke, the other unstoppable try-scorer in the competition as she cruises through contact on her way to the white stripe in almost every game she plays with a total of 20 tries in the regular season. Meanwhile the Royals captain Ainsley Scrivener is no slouch in the try-scoring department as she also leads her side in five-pointers through her truly damaging runs. Conducting the Royals assaults is also the precise Bonnie Brewer who is another top performer to keep an eye on since she has returned from duties with the Brumbies.
