With only three rounds of the Group Nine Rugby League remaining and there being somewhat of a logjam at the top of the premiership ladder, with eight clubs vying for a place in the semi-finals, the 2026 season is drawing to an exciting conclusion. At this stage only two clubs, the Temora Dragons and Gundagai Tigers, are assured of a spot in the play-offs while the other six clubs in the running face a real "dog eat dog" scenario as they chase the coveted three remaining positions. Upsets in recent weeks have seen clubs who were travelling reasonably comfortably now finding themselves under pressure to perform, with the results of three games this weekend – Albury Thunder versus Junee Diesels, Cootamundra Bulldogs at home to Young Cherrypickers, and the South City Bulls hosting the Gundagai Tigers – all playing a vital part in the make-up of the top five positions. On the back of having home games, the Thunder, Bulls and Bulldogs will all need to win, while in the remaining games Temora should be too strong for the competition's battlers, who on their day are capable of causing an upset, as they did in Round 11 against Albury. Then last round they led the Tigers 7-0 at Anzac Park before going down 16-7. The Kangaroos should retain fifth place by defeating the Tumut Blues at Twickenham, while in the final game for the weekend Albury will need to defeat the competition's "Dark Horses", the Junee Diesels, at Greenfield Park if they are to progress further. Group Nine last weekend had a general bye because of the annual Junior Rugby League Knockout, now in its 81st year, held at Junee on Saturday and Sunday. The weekend also saw the NRLW Magic Round at Wagga's Geohex Stadium with all twelve clubs involved. Next Saturday at Nixon Park there will be five games to be played with the Dragons hosting the Wagga Brothers. As was the case in their first meeting for the season, this game will no doubt be the game of the day after Temora inflicted the Brothers' first defeat on the competition leaders, winning 6-4 at Gloex Park, with the Dragons two points behind. Maybe this game could have been played later in the day's programme, possibly between the Weissel Cup and Reserve Grade. In other games the Dragons face a tough game in two of the remaining grades, with Brothers leading the Women's Tackle and are currently in second place in the Weissel Cup. The Dragons' second-placed Reserve Grade should be too strong for an outfit that have only won four games and will need a big win to retain second place behind Albury Thunder, with great interest in the Gundagai versus South City game in this grade. After having a number of players missing through injuries in recent weeks, the Dragons should be back to full strength in their run towards the semi-finals, with only front-rower Hayden Philp still under some doubt, although he played against the Kangaroos a fortnight ago. Players returning and under consideration for selection include Jimmy Stewart, Grant Hughes and Lachie Cole, while Brodie Foster returns after representative duties with the Police team, with David White a number of weeks away from returning. Teams – Temora v Wagga Brothers First Grade – 2.35pm Hamish Starr, Brodie Foster, Will McDermott, Jimmy Stewart, Brandon Nima, Jake McGovern, Hayden Philp, Bailey Wallace, Billy Reardon. Reserve Grade – 1.10pm Drew Robinson, Brock Thorpe, Nicholas Bett, Tom Moroney, Cody Lynch, Jared McKinnon, Yoan Veve, Ryan Cain, Sam Carlin, Darcy Kelly, Mat Durham, Riley Neville, Adam New, Chase Sciascia, Tyrone Bushell, Josh Gillard, Tom Goode. Women's Tackle Sarah Murphy, Savera Tanuvasa, Lizzie Cooper, Bree Burnett, Belinda Nima, Ally Haisell, Maisy McCrone, Charlotte Carlin, Kindra Byquar, Ashleigh Burnett, Gab McCabe, Milly Murphy, Rachel Luana, Elizabeth Kaupa, Dorcas Frank, Kamryn Woods, Jorja Wingfield, Elsie Marmion. Weissel Cup Bailey Purcell, Colby Thorpe, Louie Mortimer, Connor Hawksworth, Matt Knox, Josh Haisell, Clayton Gallagher, Bryce Smetana, Cooper Gersbach, Oscar Amery, Jake Rayner, Harrison Yates, Alex Levett, Lenny Lancaster, Darcy Murphy, Matt Manning, Jimmie Harper, Ethan Bett. League Tag – 9.50am Molly McCrone, Maisy McCrone, Milly Murphy, Bella McDermott, Emily Perrot, Cate Granleese, Nikola Henman, Matilda Reardon, Mia Block, Lilly Block, Tilly Englert, Courtney McCrone, McKenna Ward, Kiara Balon, Lizzie Cooper, Matilda McCrone.
