Albury will be playing high on hope as they enter the final two rounds of the Group 9 competition, with the Thunder just outside the all-important top-five ahead of finals.
Requiring two wins from their next two games - and for other results to go their way - the Justin Carney-led squad might need some help from the Rugby League gods.
Playing their Round 16 fixture at home last weekend, Albury did what was required scoring an important 38-26 victory over the Junee Diesels at Greenfield Park.
That result ended a two-game losing sequence, where Albury fought hard but ultimately fell to competition powerhouses Temora (28-22) in Round 14 and Young (38-28) in Round 15.
Keeping Albury’s hopes alive is a run home against sides outside of the top-five, which kicks off with an away trip to Tumut on Saturday before hosting the struggling Wagga Brothers in Round 18.
In contrast, the Southcity Bulls are just one game ahead of Albury, but face a much more challenging run home to finals.
On Saturday, the Bulls host the in-form Temora Dragons in their Round 17 match at Harris Park before a Round 18 away trip to Gundagai to take on a Tigers outfit hunting for a top-three finish and a second chance come finals.
While the draw favours their chances of playing finals, Albury won’t want to take Tumut for granted with the Blues out to finish their season on a good note.
The reigning premiers won’t play finals, but in Round 16 they gave Gundagai a scare and led the contest before eventually losing 26-14 at Anzac Park.
The Tumut Blues beat Albury 34-28 back in Round Eight, and Albury will have to be at their best to topple Tumut on their home deck.
In other Round 17 matches, the top-of-the-table Young Cherrypickers will be fresh following two weekends off when hosting the third-placed Wagga Kangaroos at Alfred Oval on Saturday.
On Sunday, Southcity will be out to cause a massive upset against the second-placed Temora Dragons at Harris Park.
Also, on Sunday, Wagga Brothers will be out to finish the season off strongly, hosting the Gundagai Tigers at McDonald’s Park.
Minor premiership race will go down to the wire
It’s a two-horse race for the Group 9 first grade Minor Premiership, and if results go the way many pundits expect this weekend, it will set up a compelling Round 18.
As it is, Young leads Temora by one competition point, and if both teams win this weekend, it sets up a titanic clash with significant finals implications.
With the Dragons hosting the Cherrypickers in Round 18 at Nixon Park, it will be a precursor to the Group 9 finals and possibly a Major Semi-final.
Click here for the Group 9 men’s tackle ladder, draw, and results.
Dragons can sew up League Tag minor premiership
Sitting three competition points ahead of their rivals, the Temora Dragons can sew up the Group 9 League Tag minor premiership on Sunday.
The reigning premiers have set the standard in 2024, losing just one game, an 8-0 loss to Wagga Brothers way back in Round Three.
On the back of an 11-game winning streak, where they have defeated every rival in the competition, the Dragons travel to Wagga’s Harris Park to take on the sixth-placed Southcity Bulls.
The Bulls are playing to keep their season alive, and they’ll give it their all on their home deck, but an imposing Temora side will take some beating.
Click here for the Group 9 league tag table, draw, and recent results.
