Katrina Fanning Shield: Round Nine Preview

The Katrina Fanning Shield hits the halfway mark this weekend, with a top four clashing headlining the Round Nine Matches. 

Queanbeyan Blues vs Tuggeranong Bushrangers, Saturday 20 June, 10:40am, Seiffert Oval 

The Queanbeyan Blues welcome the Tuggeranong Bushrangers to Seiffert Oval as they search for back-to-back victories for the first time this year.  

Entering the weekend fresh off their first victory of the season against the Magpies, the Blues will be looking for two in a row. 

Dummy half Payge Salinas and halfback Eilish Winbank were the Blues best last weekend and will be important to the side's performance once again. 

Meanwhile, the Bushrangers had the weekend off in Round Eight with the bye and will be rested for an important match in their quest for the top four.

Captain and current leader of the Maree Bush Medal Teliya Hetaraka holds the key for the visitors, crossing the try line on six occasions this year.  

Saturday marks the first matchup between the two sides this season and presents an opportunity for both sides to continue their march towards the top four. 

Woden Valley Rams vs Belconnen United Sharks, Saturday 20 June, 10:40am, Woden Park 

The Belconnen United Sharks travel to Woden for an exciting top four matchup against the Woden Valley Rams. 

The home side enter this week's matchup after collecting the two points against the Gungahlin Bulls in a tight victory last weekend.

Fullback Lara Cosgrove continues to build into the 2026 season scoring a double last start and will be one to watch out for this weekend. 

Whilst, for the Sharks they suffered their second defeat of the season against the West Belconnen Warriors and will be looking to ensure it isn't consecutive losses.

The right edge will prove difficult to stop this weekend, with Paunovic and Taylor combining for 19 tries at the halfway point of the season. 

This is a matchup you won't want to miss, with the result expected to have massive ramifications on the make-up of the top four of the KFS competition, with both teams expected to feature in finals. 

Yass Magpies vs Gungahlin Bulls, Saturday 20 June, 12:00pm, Walker Park 

The Yass Magpies quest for their first victory of the season continues as they host the Gungahlin Bulls at Walker Park. 

The Magpies return home this weekend after being held scoreless against the Blues last weekend and will be hoping for an improved performance in front of their home fans. 

For Gungahlin, they enter this weekend's match after suffering a defeat against the Woden Valley Rams and will be looking to avoid consecutive losses.

Victory for the Bulls will see them close them remain inside the top four, with the Bushrangers close on their heels. 

Yass will be desperate for their first two points of the season on Saturday and will need to be at their best against a Bulls outfit looking to cement their top four spot. 

Image by Earldrix Pehara