After a long and winding road, where teams competed for supremacy over an arduous 16 rounds, the time that matters most has arrived with both Group 9 and Group 20 kicking off their post-season finals series this weekend.
Both competitions (photo courtesy of Tumut and Adelong Times) will host their Elimination Semi-finals for the fourth and fifth-placed teams tomorrow, with Group 20 outfits fighting for survival at Ron Crowe Oval, West Wyalong. Group 9 teams will play for a second chance at McDonalds Park, Wagga.
On Sunday, the second and third-placed teams from each competition will aim to lockdown a spot in the Qualifying Final, with Group 20 hosting their Qualifying Semi-finals at Leeton’s No 1 Oval. Group 9 teams venture to Young’s Alfred Oval for a big day of Rugby League.
A return to finals following uninterrupted competitions has been welcomed by both Group 9 and Group 20, with the COVID-19 pandemic wreaking havoc throughout 2020 and 2021.
Following a shortened 2020 season won by the Gundagai Tigers, Group 9’s 2021 season came to an early close, with no finals games being played.
Group 20 haven’t named a premier since Darlington Point-Coleambally won their competition in 2019, with both their 2020 and 2021 seasons unable to be completed.
NSWRL’s Bidgee Regional Area Manager, David Skinner was looking forward to a return to finals footy after what has been a tough two years for the sport.
“It’s really exciting to have finals Rugby League back,” Skinner said.
“It is so rewarding to get to the end of a full season and to have finals, especially compared to what we have endured over the last couple of years.
“Plus, this weekend, we are set for some good weather, and everything should be in place for big crowds to get out and enjoy finals fever.
“I know I am looking forward to getting to Wagga on Saturday and Leeton on Sunday.”
The Group 9 and Group 20 finals format will see four weeks of games played, with deciders set to be played on Sunday 18 September.
Group 9 Finals Week One
First Grade
Saturday 2.30pm: Elimination Final – Tumut v Kangaroos at McDonalds Park
Sunday 2.30pm: Qualifying Final – Young v Temora at Alfred Oval
Reserve Grade
Saturday 12.50pm: Elimination Final – Tumut v Brothers at McDonalds Park
Sunday 12.50pm Qualifying Final – Gundagai v Junee at Alfred Oval
League Tag
Saturday 11.50am: Elimination Final – Albury v Tumut at McDonalds Park
Sunday 11.50: Qualifying Final – Temora v Kangaroos at Alfred Oval
Under 18s
Saturday 10.40am: Elimination Final – Tumut v South City at McDonalds Park
Sunday 10.40am: Qualifying Final – Junee v Young at Alfred Oval
Under 16s
Saturday 9.30am: Elimination Final – Tumut v Junee at McDonalds Park
Sunday 9.30am: Qualifying Final – Young v Kangaroos at Alfred Oval
Group 20 Finals – Week One
First Grade
Saturday 2.35pm: Elimination Final – Griffith Waratahs-Tigers v West Wyalong at Ron Crowe Oval
Sunday 2.35pm: Qualifying Final – Leeton v Griffith Black and Whites at Leeton No1 Oval
Reserve Grade
Saturday 12.50pm: Elimination Final – Griffith Black and Whites v Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo at Ron Crowe Oval
Sunday 12.50pm Qualifying Final – Darlington Point-Coleambally v Leeton at Leeton No.1 Oval
League Tag
Saturday 12.15pm: Elimination Final – Yenda v Hay at Ron Crowe Oval
Sunday 12.15pm: Qualifying Final – Leeton v West Wyalong at Leeton No.1 Oval
Under 18s
Saturday 11am: Elimination Final – Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo v West Wyalong at Ron Crowe Oval
Sunday 11am: Qualifying Final – Leeton v Yenda at Leeton No.1 Oval
Under 16s
Saturday 9.45am: Elimination Final – Darlington Point-Coleambally v Yanco-Wamoon at Ron Crowe Oval
Sunday 9.45am: Qualifying Final – Leeton v Yenda at Leeton No.1 Oval
