Katrina Fanning Shield: Round Three Preview

After what seems like a lifetime since Round Two, the Katrina Fanning Shield is back for Round Three this Saturday in what is set to be a fiery and dominant round. 

West Belconnen Warriors vs Belconnen United Sharks, Raiders Belconnen, 9:30 am, Saturday 2 May

In the first match of the round, we will have our Belconnen derby with the Warriors and Sharks facing off in a rematch of last year’s Grand Final. 

With both teams winning at their home grounds in Round Two, they will be looking to keep their ladder positions strong, with the Sharks sitting in first and the Warriors sitting in second.

Sharks winger Eliza Taylor went over for a double in their last game against the Bushrangers, plus centre Resse Paunovic made a hefty contribution to the scoreboard by converting five out of the Sharks' total seven tries, as well as contributing two of those tries herself. 

Meanwhile, Janiana Ravu and Mayah Amosa will be two players to watch for the Warriors, with Ravu scoring a try and successfully converting, and Amosa scoring a double in the match against the Rams.

Both the Sharks and Warriors will be looking to make a statement early in the year, with the Sharks desperate to extract for last year's Grand Final. 

Gungahlin Bulls v Tuggeranong Bushrangers, Gungahlin Enclosed Oval, 12 pm, Saturday 2 May

The Gungahlin Bulls will host the Tuggeranong Bushrangers at Gungahlin Enclosed Oval on Saturday afternoon in an intriguing matchup. 

The Bulls will be looking to come out strong and ready to play some dominant footy after a club-wide bye in Round 2 and having ANZAC weekend off.

Centre Molly Sturgiss and five-eighth Samantha Bailey will be the players to look out for, with Sturgiss scoring two tries and Bailey scoring one and converting two in Round One. 

Meanwhile, the Bushrangers will be looking to bounce back after a tough loss against the Sharks in Round Two.

For the Bushrangers, lock Teliya Hetaraka will be a particular player to look out for, with her scoring a double and converting two other tries in their Round One match, plus Adelaide Norris, who scored a try and converting two in their Round Two clash against the Sharks. 

This weekend will be the second matchup between the two sides, with the Bulls and Bushrangers meeting in Round One, that ended in a 24-all draw.  

Woden Valley Rams v Yass Magpies, Woden Athletic Track, 12 pm, Saturday 2 May

The Yass Magpies will travel to Canberra this Saturday for the first time this season to face off against the Rams at the Woden Athletic Track. 

With the Rams currently fifth and the Magpies sixth, both teams will be desperate to secure the two points as they look at gaining places on the KFS ladder.

For Woden, fullback and reigning Maree Bush Medal winner Lara Cosgrove and five-eighth Hollie Shepherd will be two players to watch, with both making contributions in Round Two’s match against the Warriors

Five-eighth Bronnie Pollack and second rower Mini White will be the ones to watch for Yass, with both girls scoring two tries each in their Round One match against the Warriors. 

Image by Trish Sullivan