Great day of Prelims but not a massive crowd unfortunately - certainly not the same sort of atmosphere as the Grand Finals of last year or last week but that's understandable given the (slightly) lower stakes. Notable was the fire drill-esque evacuation of the Blue Mountains contingent after losing both Suthos and Judd Prelims - would have thought they might've wanted to get in early to give it to Waves/Hunters knowing they'd encounter one of them next week.
It's another east-heavy Div One Grand Final day - with Easts claiming Shute glory today, there's a possibility of every top flight Cup in Subbies heading east of the Harbour Bridge as well (if you count Mosman as an "eastern" team, geographically). 5 clubs will be represented, with Drummoyne, Forest and Lindfield watching from the touchline, but Mosman only have the one crack at silverware (in Colts, of course).
I have to question the scheduling of this rugby season overall - Wallabies tests going head-to-head with 3pm kick-offs, Shute GFs against Subbies prelims, etc. I know it sounds silly but it's not a good look when the "take with no give" top end of town muscles out grassroots (in my opinion).
Waverley did well to dig out of trouble in the Kentwell and shock Hunters Hill who, despite an early ambush with back-to-back Four'N Twenty™ [the Great Australian Taste, naming rights partners of NSW Suburban Rugby - if you want to find out more about Subbies rugby, visit rugby.net.au] Meat Pies, seemed to stay in the sheds after the break.
Overall, Hunters Hill will probably be frustrated to miss out on Kentwell, but will still have a strong presence at the top-half of the card. Waverley's only hiccup was the Burke Prelim - Colleagues too strong, but Waves still have 4/6 sides in the big dance.
Colleagues will be ruing close misses in Barbour and the draw in Whiddon - missing out on Finals in 1sts, especially just avoiding the spoon, will have been disappointment that could have been consoled by having a side in every other grade. I'm not a fan of the "draw to progress" rule - I understand why it's needed but, at this point of the season, just let the players sort the result out. Same goes on GF day - would anyone actually be happy to share a premiership?
Blue Mountains have to be the story of GF Day 2024 - if they can fill their "gaps" in the middle grades, we could be witnessing the emergence of a new powerhouse in sub-district rugby. Considering the struggles of rugby on the other side of the Nepean Bridge, they should be commended for another incredible season. History will show they only have 1s and 3s on Saturday but the "one team club" idea has surely been silenced. A possible Emus entry may threaten them but nothing retains talent like success. I also wonder whether, should momentum continue to grow, could we see Blueys push for Shute in the next decade?
Interestingly, after a wet and miserably cold season, today was bordering on a scorcher save for the wind. The Major Semi winners, no doubt, would have been happy to sit in air conditioning and watch the game streams rather than be out there in the middle. A few injuries as well and some ill-discipline means there may be some changes in the next few days.
Should be a cracker final week of rugby.
Friday, September 6 @ David Phillips
Sutherland 5ths (7pm): Waverley v Colleagues
Saturday, September 7 @ Concord Oval
Judd 4ths (9am): Waverley v Colleagues
Whiddon 3rds (10:15am): Blue Mountains v Waverley
Barbour Colts (11:40am): Mosman v Hunters Hill
Burke 2nds (1:20pm): Hunters Hill v Colleagues
Kentwell 1sts (3pm): Blue Mountains v Waverley
I'll be calling Judd, Whiddon and Burke GFs while Hamish and the NSWRUTV team will cover the Barbour and then Kentwell - if you see me (the bloke frantically running up and down the grandstand for a coffee break between grades) feel free to say g'day!
