Auckland Rugby League have confirmed the 3-week draw of our Fox Memorial Qualifiers for 2024. The first round is kicking off April 6th with a total of 8 thrilling games happening all at 2:30PM (Grounds TBC). The Qualifiers this year consist of four pools of four teams split evenly based on the 2023 standings. Three teams from each pool will advance into the 2024 Fox Memorial Premiership. The teams that finish bottom of each qualifying pool will play the 2024 Premier season in the Sharman Cup. 

POOL A: RICHMOND, TE ATATU, GLENORA, PONSONBY 

First up in Pool A we have the Grand Finalist Richmond Bulldogs. They have a young core and have recruited a few new players, so expect them to be hunting for another Grand Final appearance to build on last year’s success. Te Atatu made the plate Grand Final in 2023 and will look to continue their improvement this season and try make the top-6 come season end. It will be an interesting season for the Glenora Bears, with a disappointing season for the Bears standards in 2023. Could this be a bounce back season for the Bears? The Ponsonby Ponies placed fourth in the Sharman Cup and proved to be a tough team to face throughout that competition. With a young, tight knit core, the Ponies will be one to watch in this Pool.

Saturday, April 6th
Richmond Bulldogs (H) v Te Atatu Roosters (A)
Ponsonby Ponies (H) v Glenora Bears (A)

POOL B: PT CHEVALIER, MT ALBERT, MANUKAU, HIBISCUS COAST

Moving on to Pool B, the Mt Albert Lions won the plate final in 2023. In 2024, both Eiden and John Ackland return to Fowlds Park, giving the Lions an almighty boost. Last year's Fox Memorial Champions, the Pt Chevalier Pirates have had a few key losses coming into 2024, but it will be interesting to see how the Pirates change things up in the hunt for that elusive 3-peat. The Manukau Magpies had a mixed bag of a season in 2023. This team always has a lot of potential and if they stick together, they can beat any team on their given day. The Hibiscus Coast Raiders came third in the 2023 Sharman Cup, playing a good brand of footy. They have the drive to be a part of this year's Fox, but will need to cause an upset or two to get there.

Saturday, April 6th
Pt Chevalier Pirates (H) v Hibiscus Coast Raiders (A)
Mt ALbert Lions (H) v Manukau Magpies (A)

POOL C: HOWICK, MARIST, NORTHCOTE, BAY ROSKILL 

Transitioning into Pool C, the Howick Hornets 2023 season was cut short by the  eventual Champions, Pt Chevalier. From the 2023 season, Howick keep the majority of their core and are on the hunt to repeat their 2019 Premiership winning season. The Marist Saints have a good young core and great guidance from the coaching staff. Marist play off the cuff style footy, so expect them to shock some teams in 2024. The Northcote Tigers lost the Sharman Cup Final last season, but they will be hunting for that Fox Memorial spot to bring the North Shore back into the competition once again. The Bay Roskill Vikings season was riddled with injury but 2024 will be another off season together to grow and add new players. Their style of play is incredibly difficult to defend against. A pool full of unpredictable teams, all the games could go down to the wire.

Saturday, April 6th
Howick Hornets (H) v Marist Saints (A)
Northcote Tigers (H) v Bay Roskill Vikings (A)

POOL D: OTAHUHU, PAPAKURA, MANGERE EAST, OTARA 

Lastly in Pool D, will be a battle between four South Auckland teams to decide which three will be a part of the Fox Memorial. The Otahuhu Leopards 2023 season ended abruptly in their close finals loss. Expect this team to be big and tough to tackle with key players like Sione Feao and Jamel Hunt, could 2024 be the year of the Leopards? The Papakura Sea Eagles are on the hunt for that Fox Premiership after just falling short to Richmond in the Semi Finals. An experienced side that knows how to play footy will always be tough to beat. The Mangere East Hawks finished last in 2023 with no wins after the Qualifiers, a tough year for them, but 2024 is a fresh season, and the Hawks will come out firing early. The Otara Scorpions flawless 2023 season in Sharman Cup was impressive to say the least. In the 2024 off season they have gained a few returning familiar faces and are ready to try compete in Fox this season.

Saturday, April 6th
Papakura Sea Eagles (H) v Otara Scorpions (A)
Otahuhu Leopards (H) v Mangere East Hawks (A)

This action-packed 3 rounds of Rugby League will be something you don’t want to miss, as these teams have been training hard all off season and can’t wait to put that training into action. This is do or die for these teams, Finals level intensity from the get go. 

Make sure you get down to your local and support your team!

Article added: Wednesday 06 March 2024