Dewar Shield 2017 & other Vic comps

[amirite]

Box Hill are the team on the move - started the year with 3 losses, and 2 of them very close losses to Quins and Unicorns, they have now won 5 straight and in most part won them all very comfortably. Watch out for the Broncos.

Very sad re Souths state - it was only in 2010 they were playing in the Dewar Shield Grand Final. Think they have to go back to Division 2 next year and rebuild and hopefully come back as a strong club once again.

Agree with everything you've said. Box Hill's new coaching staff are clearly doing a good job and South's situation is a sad one, but I'd love to see a stronger 2nd Div with them, and ideally Northern/Wydnham rounding out numbers.

I think Moorabbin are ones to watch too, few wins but they've all come against top of the table teams. And, their coach is a good one who can grow a team deep into the season.

Even Footscray and Endeavor could fire shots in the second half of the season. 3rd-8th (at least) is anyone's this year.

 

[elementfreak]

It's a very close comp this year, I can't recall another year that has been this close across all 3 grades.

 

[amirite]

It's a very close comp this year, I can't recall another year that has been this close across all 3 grades.

I think it's as simple as Quins being weaker (though not substantially), Box Hill/Moorabbin/Power House/Endeavor being roughly the same standard, and Footscray/University improving substantially.

 

[elementfreak]

Souths have forfeited all 3 grades this weekend.

 

[amirite]

Souths have forfeited all 3 grades this weekend.

A sad day. On the week they play Quins away, I imagine it's probably hard to rouse 15+ guys to take that punishment.

 

[OneOrThree]

A little birdy told me recently that Souths asked to be dropped to Div 2 this year, but the VRU said no. This is a real shame. Why not make the P1-3 8 teams and have breaks for the Rebels vs. Lions game and the Test match. The season would just be as long calendar wise, and none of the ridiculous Friday night shenanigans we saw in April. I haven't heard anything yet but I assume they are going to have to repeat the scheduling of Round 6 for Round 11.

 

[amirite]

A little birdy told me recently that Souths asked to be dropped to Div 2 this year, but the VRU said no. This is a real shame. Why not make the P1-3 8 teams and have breaks for the Rebels vs. Lions game and the Test match. The season would just be as long calendar wise, and none of the ridiculous Friday night shenanigans we saw in April. I haven't heard anything yet but I assume they are going to have to repeat the scheduling of Round 6 for Round 11.

Based on chatter I've heard and seen around the place, I'd be very surprised if this were the case. Everyone involved knows once you go down to D2, moving back up is incredibly difficult.

I hope they don't go the way of Kiwi-Hawthorn and die for the year.

 

[OneOrThree]

Fair call and I agree, demotion is difficult to overcome. Its a 5 year turn around at least. I reckon they'll get a P1 up for the remaining games but thats about it. A damn shame for the comp. Who are their allocated Rebels for 2017? Can they assist during the Test rugby break? I know that would exclude Sione while his on U20 duties.

 

[amirite]

Fair call and I agree, demotion is difficult to overcome. Its a 5 year turn around at least. I reckon they'll get a P1 up for the remaining games but thats about it. A damn shame for the comp. Who are their allocated Rebels for 2017? Can they assist during the Test rugby break? I know that would exclude Sione while his on U20 duties.

Sione & Weekes at least.

 

[oztimmay]

Fair call and I agree, demotion is difficult to overcome. Its a 5 year turn around at least. I reckon they'll get a P1 up for the remaining games but thats about it. A damn shame for the comp. Who are their allocated Rebels for 2017? Can they assist during the Test rugby break? I know that would exclude Sione while his on U20 duties.

Laurie Weeks – Southern Districts
Mitch Inman – Southern Districts
Dom Day – Southern Districts
Sione Tuipulotu – Southern Districts

From: https://melbournerebels.com/2017/03/15/rebels-recommit-to-local-rugby/

 

[OneOrThree]

Do any clubs get their Rebels during the test break or are they not allowed to play due to contractual obligations?

 

[oztimmay]

Do any clubs get their Rebels during the test break or are they not allowed to play due to contractual obligations?

I think it's dependant on the player. I heard they have been given the week off after the Brumbies match. After that, I'm not sure.

 

[Axemen]

I think it's dependant on the player. I heard they have been given the week off after the Brumbies match. After that, I'm not sure.

Usually there is a compulsory holiday period that comes under the RUPA agreement with the ARU - so they aren't permitted to play for some part of the period.

 

[Axemen]

It's a very close comp this year, I can't recall another year that has been this close across all 3 grades.

I agree - across all three grades and Colts the competition is the tight. Top 4 in 2nd Grade are pulling away a bit - but few blowout scores across all Grades (excl Souths). There doesn't seem to be as much of players backing for 2 games in a day either. Looks like End Hills have placed 3rd Grade as a priority over 2nd Grade, we will start to see more of this once clubs start to focus on Grades they think can go all the way.
2nd Division seems far more competitive across the competition - I see Kiwi's lost a 2nd game, this time to Bendigo with only Eltham undefeated, and Geelong look strong also. Maroondah and Ballarat look to be struggling.

 

[elementfreak]

PH 22 - 27 Mrbn
BH 43 - 14 EH
Melb 46 - 13 Foots
Quins 28 - 0 SD (Souths forfeit)

 

[RebelYell]

PH 22 - 27 Mrbn
BH 43 - 14 EH
Melb 46 - 13 Foots
Quins 28 - 0 SD (Souths forfeit)

maybe im being overly skeptical, but surely Souths would be pleased to 'only' lose 28-0

 

[amirite]

maybe im being overly skeptical, but surely Souths would be pleased to 'only' lose 28-0

I really do think them failing to field a team would partly be due to midseason blues and partly due to the boys not wanting a spanking by Quins.

 

[elementfreak]

Some games tonight and a few tomorrow morning.

Souths have forfeited all 3 grades once again.

Tonight
Endeavour Hills v Melbourne P1 - 20:15
Endeavour Hills v Melbourne P2 - 18:45

Harlequin v Footscray P1 - 20:15
Harlequin v Footscray P2 - 18:45

Tomorrow

Endeavour Hills v Melbourne P3 - 10:00
Harlequin v Footscray P3 - 10:00

Melbourne Uni v Box Hill
P3 - 9:00
P2 - 10:00
P1 - 11:30

 

[elementfreak]

Endeavour Hills 15 v Melbourne 31
Harlequins 48 v Footscray 19
Melbourne Uni 26 v Box Hill 77
Moorabbin 28 v Souths 0 (forfeit)
Power House v Bye

 

[elementfreak]

Round 12 17 June
Power House v Harlequins
Souths v Endeavour Hills
Footscray v Moorabbin
Melbourne v Melbourne Uni
Bye v Box Hill

At the moment Souths are only playing 1st grade, but who knows if that will change by the end of the day. If anything Endeavour need to play them and try to get up over 80-100 points scored to help their PD come the end of the year. I don't think they will make finals but they might be able to catch Footscray or PH if they get some results going their way.

I think Moorabbin might be able to make the 4, but BH are looking dangerous at the moment, won 5 or 6 on the bounce now and scoring a lot of points each week. Quins and Melbourne are once again playing good, structured rugby and will obviously be there at the end of the season.