By Tallon Smith

After 18 rounds of jostling and jockeying for position, the top five places have been filled and fixtures set for week one of the 2024 Group 9 Finals series.

The Young Cherrypickers, Temora Dragons, Gundagai Tigers, Wagga Kangaroos and Albury Thunder have separated themselves from the pack and now face a gruelling final month of rugby league to determine who emerges as Group 9 Premiers for 2024.

After narrowly missing out on the Minor Premiership after Saturday’s 26-12 home loss to Young in what was billed as the decider for that title, the Dragons will be back in action on Sunday when they host the Gundagai Tigers in a monster Qualifying Final clash at Nixon Park.

The Tigers will take momentum into the match, having won their past four games, including an 18-16 win over a fiercely determined South City side who were needing a 61-point win to leapfrog Albury.

Meanwhile, after their 78-6 thrashing of the Wagga Brothers on Saturday elevated them above South City into fifth, the Albury Thunder will face a difficult test against a strong Wagga Kangaroos side in the Elimination Final at Wagga’s Equex Centre.

After a tough run with injuries, if the Kangaroos manage to keep something close to their best side on the paddock throughout the finals, they cannot be discounted in talks about the title.

The ‘Roos scored a gritty 30-18 win over the Junee Diesels at the Equex Centre on Saturday, which may prove crucial from a confidence point of view heading into the finals football.

As Minor Premiers, the Young Cherrypickers will have the bye through to the Major Semi Final next weekend where they will play the winner of Temora-Gundagai for a spot in the Grand Final.

Meanwhile, in either a coincidence or a show of power, the same five clubs will contest the Reserve Grade finals series.

Gundagai have the week off as Minor Premiers, while Kangaroos will take on Temora in the Elimination Final on Saturday and Young play Albury in the Qualifying Final on Sunday.

The League Tag top five is also set, with Temora finishing as Minor Premiers, while Kangaroos play Brothers in an all-Wagga Qualifying Final, and Tumut face Junee in the Elimination Final.

Grand Final Day for all grades is set down for Sunday September 22 at Wagga’s Equex Centre.