Season Preview: The Canberra Times 2023 Community Competition
Changes in competition structure
In 2022, the community competition comprised the Men’s third grade, Men’s fourth grade, and Women’s second grade. This year, the community competition includes Men’s Division 1, 2 & 3, and Women’s Division 1.
The 2022 Women’s Second Grade competition split from a community grade competition into a women’s second grade in the Preliminary competition with the 6 teams – Queanbeyan Tigers, Ainslie Tricolours, Belconnen Magpies, TVAFC, Gungahlin Jets, and Eastlake Demons. The rest of the teams, plus an extra two teams (Googong Hogs and an Ainslie Tricolours third team) form the Women’s Division 1 in the community competition.
Men’s Division 1 & 2, and Women’s Division 1 is comprised of the same 7 teams – ADFA Rams, Woden Blues, Batemans Bay Seahawks, ANU Griffins, Molonglo Juggernauts, Googong Hogs, and Ainslie Tricolours.
Exciting developments in this year’s community competition is the introduction of Googong Hogs’ first women’s team, and the Ainslie Tricolours’ first time fielding a third women’s team.
The clubs that only have one community team make up the Men’s Division 3 – Southern Cats, Eastlake Demons, Yass Roos, Belconnen Magpies, Goulburn Swans, Murrumbateman Eagles, TVAFC, and Cootamundra Blues.
Men’s Division 1
Most of the teams that competed in last year’s men’s third grade make up the Men’s Division 1 in 2023. The exhilarating back-end of the 2022 season indicates that we can expect an exciting competition this year.
The Googong Hogs came close to a fairy-tale end to their season after making an unexpected Grand Final run. Googong finished the regular season in 5th and fought their way to the big dance after producing an upset against first seed, Batemans Bay Seahawks, in a tight 4-point Preliminary final. Their hot streak eventually ceased in their Grand Final loss to the ANU Griffins.
The ADFA Rams will remain a premiership threat, following strong performances in 2022, including their dominant 116-16 Finals Week 1 win against the Molonglo Juggernauts.
The Woden Blues will be strong contenders following their narrow 44-66 loss to the eventual runners-up, Googong, in Finals Week 1.
Based on last year’s proceedings, we can expect a highly competitive Men’s Division 1 in 2023.
Round 1 Results:
ADFA Rams (forfeit) v Woden Blues
Batemans Bay Seahawks (55) v ANU Griffins (59)
Molonglo Juggernauts (32) v Googong Hogs (138)
Ainslie Tricolours (bye)
In Round 1, the top contenders from last year, Batemans Bay and ANU, competed in a tight, hard-fought match, which reaffirmed their status as teams to beat this year.
The Googong Hogs maintained their momentum from last year’s finals success and delivered a dominant performance in their first game against the Molonglo Juggernauts.
Women’s Division 1
In 2022, the women’s second grade competition was mainly dominated by teams that are competing in the 2023 Women’s Division 1, with the top 3 from last year being the Molonglo Juggernauts, ANU Griffins, and the Batemans Bay Seahawks.
The finals series comprised of exciting matches between these teams including a one-point Preliminary final between ANU (28) and Batemans Bay (27), which saw ANU progress into the Grand Final against Molonglo. ANU had the edge over Molonglo that day, defeating the Juggernauts 34-15.
The Women’s Division 1 will be a close and competitive competition which has already been displayed in Round 1.
Round 1 Results:
Batemans Bay Seahawks (12) v ANU Griffins (12)
Molonglo Juggernauts (15) v Googong Hogs (20)
ADFA Rams (forfeit) v Woden Blues
Ainslie Tricolours (bye)
The Googong Hogs establish their first women’s team with a massive win in Round 1 against last year’s runners-up, Molonglo, in a tight five-point game.
Last year’s women’s second grade heavy weights, Batemans Bay and ANU, continue their close match-up rivalry with a draw in their first match of the season.
Men’s Division 2
The Men’s Division 2 is comprised of the men’s fourth grade clubs from last year that have teams across multiple community grade competitions.
In 2022, the one-team community grade clubs that will be competing in the 2023 Men’s Division 3, were more dominant in the men’s fourth grade. With only 7 clubs in this year’s competition format instead of 11, the competition will be more competitive and intense rivalries will develop, making for an exciting season ahead.
Last year, the Woden Blues made the Preliminary final despite their 6th place finish at the end of the regular season, making them strong contenders this year.
The ADFA Rams were competitive against the top clubs in the men’s fourth grade, finishing 4th at the end of the regular season, though fell short in Finals Week 1 with a 38-27 loss against the Goulburn Swans.
Round 1 Results:
ADFA Rams (forfeit) v Woden Blues
Batemans Bay Seahawks (30) v ANU Griffins (61)
Molonglo Juggernauts (15) v Googong Hogs (54)
Ainslie Tricolours (bye)
ANU and Googong proved that they will be more competitive this year, delivering dominant performances over their Round 1 opponents.
Men’s Division 3
The one-team community clubs in last year’s men’s third grade weren’t so competitive, however, they will combine with the one-team community clubs from last year’s men’s fourth grade competition, making for a balanced and competitive Men’s Division 3 in 2023.
In 2022, the back end of the men’s fourth grade competition was filled with drama that is anticipated to persist in this year’s Men’s Division 3.
The Yass Roos defeated the Goulburn Swans 86-49 in the Preliminary Final to advance into the Grand Final against the Murrumbateman Eagles. The Eagles were too strong for the Roos on the day and were crowned the 2022 men’s fourth grade premiers.
Those clubs that competed in the men’s third grade last year, including the Cootamundra Blues, Belconnen Magpies, and Eastlake Demons, are expected to be strong contenders in the Men’s Division 3.
Round 1 Results:
Southern Cats (93) v Eastlake Demons (22)
Yass Roos (136) v Belconnen Magpies (8)
Goulburn Swans (18) v Murrumbateman Eagles (94)
TVAFC (59) v Cootamundra Blues (89)
Yass and Murrumbateman pick up from where they left off last season, putting on dominant performances against their Round 1 opponents.
The Southern Cats and the Cootamundra Blues have made a strong statement of intent for the season, as they both convincingly defeated their Round 1 opponents, showcasing their potential to be top contenders.
Round 2: Fixtures
Men’s Division 1 & 2 / Women’s Division 1:
Molonglo Juggernauts v Batemans Bay Seahawks
Woden Blues v ANU Griffins
Ainslie Tricolours v Googong Hogs
ADFA Rams (bye)
Men’s Division 3:
Belconnen Magpies v Eastlake Demons
Yass Roos v Southern Cats
Murrumbateman Eagles v TVAFNC
Cootamundra Blues v Goulburn Swans
Written by Liam Wyllie
