The Peter McDonald Premiership (PMP) to determine the best Rugby League team from Groups 10 and 11 in western NSW is heading for a thrilling conclusion with the finals kicking off this weekend.
After 15 rounds of no holds barred action, the top four teams in each Group will be combined to make a ‘top eight’, with crossover finals matches.
First Major Semi-final: Mudgee Dragons (1) v Parkes Spacemen (2)
Sunday August 20, Glen Willow Regional Sports Complex, Mudgee
Arguably, the match of the round with two genuine PMP contenders, Mudgee and Parkes, to do battle at a packed Glen Willow Regional Sports Complex.
Mudgee has been the lamplighters in Group 10, leading the competition since their Round One win over reigning premiers Forbes.
There have been a few hiccups along the way, but for the most part, the Dragons have been one of the teams to beat in 2023.
They will be without inspirational leader Clay Priest (suspension) for the rest of the season. Still, with a squad boasting names such as Jack Littlejohn, Jack Beasley, and Casey Burgess, Mudgee has plenty of firepower to call upon.
The Chad Porter-coached Spacemen will need to rediscover their winning form, which saw them as one of the teams to beat after 11 rounds.
Parkes' run home has been riddled with losses, and apart from a 40-12 win over Macquarie Raiders in Round 14, the Spacemen have lost three of their past four games, going down to Nyngan in Round 11, Dubbo CYMS in Round 12, and Forbes in Round 15.
The Spacemen can topple the Dragons but must find another gear to match motors with the star-studded Mudgee outfit.
Second Major Semi-final: Dubbo CYMS (1) v Orange Hawks (2)
Sunday August 20, Apex Oval, Dubbo
Despite a Round 15 loss to Nyngan, where the Fishes went down to the Tigers 22-14 at Larkin Oval, Dubbo CYMS secured their 11th consecutive Group 11 Minor Premiership in 2023.
Heading into the PMP finals, the Fishies are the red-hot favourites to win the competition.
After falling to Forbes in the 2022 PMP decider, Shaun Townsend’s CYMS will be out to make a statement when the finals kick off on Sunday against an Orange Hawks outfit with nothing to lose.
Alex Prout has done a fantastic job coaching the side, getting the Hawks from fifth place in 2022 to second place for two bites at the PMP cherry in 2023.
In a Semi-final style match at Wade Park last Saturday, Orange put Bathurst St Pat’s away in Round 15 to earn their two final chances.
It will be an arduous journey to Dubbo, but the Hawks will leave it all on the table as they chase PMP glory.
First Minor Semi-final: Wellington Cowboys (3) v Bathurst St Pat’s (4)
Saturday August 19, Kennard Park, Wellington
The exciting Wellington Cowboys take on a Bathurst St Pat’s outfit laden with talented players in the first game of the 2023 PMP finals on Saturday.
Playing at Wellington’s ‘graveyard’, better known as Kennard Park, the Cowboys will hope their home-ground advantage will be a factor.
The Justin-Toomey-White-led Cowboys lost just one game at home in 2023, which was a 40-6 defeat to Parkes in Round Ten, but they bounced back from that effort with a massive 20-18 victory over the Dubbo CYMS juggernaut in Round 11.
This elimination Semi-final is a replay of their Round Two crossover match, where the Cowboys defeated St Pat’s 18-16, and Rugby League fans can expect another tantalising contest.
St Pat’s was in second position on the Group 10 ladder until Round 11 but didn’t finish the season strongly, losing three of their final four games.
Still, if the Keven Grimshaw-coached side can find their best form, they’ll make it hard for the Cowboys.
Second Minor Semi-final: Bathurst Panthers (3) v Nyngan Tigers (4)
Sunday August 20, Carrington Park, Bathurst
The seasons for Bathurst Panthers and Nyngan Tigers will be on the line for their Elimination Semi-final.
For the Panthers, finishing third on the Group 10 ladder will feel like a big enough win.
They lost their first game of the season to the Dubbo CYMS 60-nil and won two of their first five games.
Despite the slow start, the Panthers defied their doubters and finished only one win off second position to earn their place in the finals.
A talented Bathurst side, coached by Jakes Betts, enjoyed a big shot in the arm in terms of confidence, defeating Mudgee 20-12 in Round 15, and their tails will be up ahead of a huge game against Nyngan.
The Tigers will also have their tails up following a 22-14 win over the CYMS in Round 15.
There’s no doubt the James Tuitahi-coached outfit will be up for the match, with the youthfully exuberant squad capable of brilliance on their best day.
Still, they need to be at their brilliant best for four weeks on the trot, starting on Sunday with a big match against the plucky Panthers.
