Weekend Predictions:
Eagles V Whites @ Nicholls
The draw this year must be very similar to last year because this is where Queanbeyan lost this game at Nicholls last year in the 2nd round and had a number of injuries during the game from memory.
Queanbeyan last week were a strong, skilful side but need to be more physical upfront - they were dominated at scrum time and if not fixed could be their undoing in 2017.
Brumbies have the BYE this weekend so I would expect players like Andrew Smith, the Fainga'a brothers to be playing for Queanbeyan this weekend.
Eagles should be a stronger side this year than last - they have the likes of Hawke and Sinoti (from Wests/played for Canberra Vikings) in this year + possibly some of their Brumbies in due to the BYE.
Hard game to pick but going with the loyalty and will say Whites by 3
Royals V Uni-Norths @ Phillip
Have no idea what either club will look like this year - hearing rumours Royals are struggling and not much has changed at Uni-Norths.
I think Royals my have the experience to get up in this one - so Royals by 5-8
Wests V Easts @ Jamison
Wests were strong last year - as normal they are a big physical side, but may have abit more finishing power this year - mixed in with well drilled set piece.
Only thing that could impact Wests this year is that they seem to of put all their eggs in one 1st Grade basket - throughout the lower grades I think they will struggle and if 1st Grade get a couple of key injuries it could impact them greatly.
As I have not seen Easts this year I can not comment too much but looking at some of the scores in the Vikings game last week across the grades I can't see too much has changed but they have a lot of heart so always worth a couple of points.
Wests by 12-15
Tuggeranong - BYE