The undefeated Harden Hawks will host the Crookwell Green Devils in the major semi-final of the Blumers Lawyers George Tooke Shield this Saturday at McLean Oval, as the minor premiers chase a direct path to the grand final.
Harden has been the standout side of the 2026 season, finishing the regular competition with a perfect record. Sitting clear on top of the ladder after 13 games (plus a bye), the Hawks have amassed a massive points differential, scoring more than 540 points while conceding just 124. Their attacking dominance and miserly defence have made them the team to beat in the Canberra Region Rugby League competition.
Crookwell, meanwhile, finished the home-and-away season in third place with a strong 10-win campaign. The Green Devils remain a dangerous, physical outfit capable of troubling any side on their day, and they will travel to Harden determined to spoil the party and keep their own premiership hopes alive.
The two clubs know each other well. Harden have held the upper hand in their meetings this year, including a convincing home win at McLean Oval and a hard-fought victory away at Crookwell Memorial Oval. Those results will give the Hawks confidence, but history shows Crookwell rarely roll over, particularly in finals football.
Harden Hawks Coach Nick Hall commented on the upcoming match, ““We have just had a weekend off, so that’s always good. Everyone’s injured this time of year, all teams, all players, coaches as well, mentally and emotionally. It was good to watch everyone play a game of footy.
“We are playing Crookwell on the weekend and if we get the win we are straight into the grand final. There’s a lot to play for, obviously, a grand final berth and the first in hosts it. A win this week is a pretty massive opportunity.
“The last four grand finals have been Bungendore, Crookwell, Bungendore, Bungendore. It would be nice to have one somewhere else.
“I think all the top four, everyone who’s remaining could win it. It will be a very interesting game in Canberra this week with Boorowa and North Canberra, but similarly, I think Crookwell’s playing the right sort of footy. I was really impressed by what they did on the weekend. We’re going to have to be very good to match them.
Key contributors for Harden have included prolific try-scorers such as Riley Manwaring, who has been among the competition’s leading point-getters, along with a hard-working forward pack and organised spine that has controlled most contests. The Hawks’ ability to start strongly and then close games out has been a hallmark of their undefeated run.
For Crookwell, the challenge will be to disrupt Harden’s rhythm early and force errors. The Green Devils possess the size and structure to compete, but they will need to match the Hawks’ intensity for the full 80 minutes on the visitors’ home turf.
McLean Oval is expected to provide a passionate local crowd for what shapes as one of the biggest games of the Harden season so far. With Rugby over the town’s supporters won’t have to choose where to go, it’s hoped everyone gets to McLean Oval. A win would secure the Hawks a week off and a grand final berth, while defeat would send them into the preliminary final the following week.
Kick-off for the match will be 2:30pm, prior to this, the Hawkettes are taking on the North Canberra Bears at 1:00pm.
The Hawkettes have also gone undefeated in 2026 (one draw) and are a mix of extreme experience and representative ability mixed with youth.
Harden Hawkettes well placed as finals approach
The Harden Hawkettes continue to set the standard in the Blumers Lawyers George Tooke Shield League Tag competition and sit strongly positioned as the finals series unfolds.
Earlier in the 2026 season the Hawkettes topped the ladder after six rounds with five wins and one draw, scoring heavily while conceding few points. Their attacking firepower, led by players such as Georgia Smith, has been a consistent feature, and the side’s defensive organisation has made them difficult to break down.
As multi-time recent premiers — including consecutive titles in recent years — the Hawkettes enter the business end of the season the favourites. With the men’s competition and the League Tag both undefeated and the Hawks taking out the club award, the hierarchy in each team knows they want the final silverware and that is what counts.
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