George Tooke Shield: Finals Week One Preview
The George Tooke Shield Finals Series begins this weekend with qualifying finals at Kaleen Enclosed on Saturday and elimination finals at Boorowa on Sunday.
GTS League Tag
Qualifying Final
North Canberra Bears vs Crookwell Green Devils, Saturday 22 August, 1:00pm
The North Canberra Bears and Crookwell Green Devils face off in a thrilling contest on Saturday afternoon to see who faces the Harden Hawks.
North Canberra enters this contest with a point to prove after a disappointing finals series last year which saw them eliminated in straight sets, with one of the losses coming against Crookwell.
The Bears side are led by the Charlton's, with the sisters combining for 34 tries in the regular season and they will be key to the side claiming a finals victory.
Meanwhile, the Green Devils look to go one better this season after suffering defeat in last year's Grand Final with the side primed for a strong campaign, Jayde Della will be important for Crookwell scoring 20 tries this year.
These two sides have met twice this year, with the most recent matchup last weekend, the North Canberra Bears proved too strong in both outings with a one point and 16-point victories.
The winner books a date with Harden next weekend in a Grand Final qualifier, whilst the loser faces the winner of Bungendore and Boorowa in a do or die Semi Final.
Elimination Final
Bungendore Tigers vs Boorowa Rovers, Sunday 22 August, 1:00pm
There is no tomorrow for the Bungendore Tigers and Boorowa Rovers as they are set to do battle in an exciting elimination final.
The Bungendore Tigers enter the finals campaign in fourth position and will be fueled with confidence that they can go all the way, Ellie Shoobert will be one to watch with the talented fullback scoring 20 tries this season.
Whilst the Boorowa Rovers only finished a point behind the Tigers and will be liking their chances to claim victory, walking away with the two competition points in round 15 when these sides last met.
With the season ledger split at one a piece, this elimination final is set to be anyone's match and one you won't want to miss.
George Tooke Shield
Qualifying Final
North Canberra Bears vs Crookwell Green Devils, Saturday 22 August, 2:30pm
The Crookwell Green Devils travel to Kaleen Enclosed to take on the North Canberra Bears in an exciting qualifying final.
Both teams finished the regular season with an 11 win and three loss record, with points differential ensuring the match is played at the home of the North Canberra Bears.
The North Canberra Bears are the second-best attacking team in the competition and can make claim to the competitions top try scorer and points scorer, Iszac Bell with 19 tries and Adam Booth with 180 points.
Meanwhile, Crookwell are led by arguably the best coach in the competition in Brian Gray, who returned back to the club this year and was at the helm the last time the Green Devils won a premiership in 2022.
The two sides have meet twice in season 2026, with the North Canberra Bears claiming a big win in round three, before the Green Devils grinded out a two-point win in the last round of the season.
The winner of the contest sets up a Grand Final qualifier with the undefeated Harden Hawks, whilst the loser faces the winner of the Boorowa Rovers and Bungendore Tigers contest.
Boorowa Rovers vs Bungendore Tigers, Sunday 23 August, 2:30pm
The Boorowa Rovers welcome the Bungendore Tigers to the Boorowa Showground for a do showdown.
Similarly to the qualifying final, these two teams finished the season with an identical record of seven wins and seven losses, with the Rovers for and against significantly stronger.
The Rovers will have the entire town of Boorowa behind them for this elimination final with a big crowd expected at the showground, reigning Gavin Miller Medalist Cooper Cross will play a huge role in deciding this contest finishing the season with 138 points.
Meanwhile, the Tigers enter the finals series as the two times defending premiers and are built for finals football, this year they are led by a new Captain Coach in Jesse Collins with the fullback built for the big occasion winning the last two player of match awards in the GTS Grand Final.
Meeting twice this year, both sides have walked away with a victory each, however come Sunday none of that matter with both the Rovers and Tigers sure to leave everything out there in a matchup you won't want to miss.
You can catch all the action of the Blumers Lawyers George Tooke Shield Finals Series, live on BarTV!
Image by Trisha Sullivan
