Eastwood set to dominate Greater Sydney Rams squad following Shute Shield triumph

EASTWOOD’S dominant Shute Shield premiership win is set to see their players dominate the Greater Sydney Rams NRC team that runs out on Saturday.

Eastwood celebrate their win after the Shute Shield Grand Final between Eastwood and Southern Districts at Concord Oval. pic Mark Evans

EASTWOOD’S dominant Shute Shield premiership win is set to see their players dominate the Greater Sydney Rams NRC team that runs out for the first time at Coogee Oval on Saturday.

The inaugural NRC kicks off this week with a match between Brisbane City and the Sydney Stars on Thursday, while the Rams play NSW Country Eagles two days later.

Given the form of Eastwood’s title-winning side, which won the Shute Shield final 33-13 over Southern Districts at Concord Oval last Saturday in front of 7000 fans, many will be pressing for spots in the Rams side, which is also made up of Souths, Parramatta, Penrith and West Harbour players.

Eastwood and NSW prop Benn Robinson, who did not play in the grand final and has been left out of Australia’s Rugby Championship squad, will be selected.

The likes of Hugh Perrett, Hugh Roach, Jed Gillespie, Jared Barry, Jai Ayoub, Michael McDougall, Tom Hill, Pat Sio, Guy Millar, Michael Kovacic and Andrew Clyne also made strong claims for selection in the Rams’ maiden match.

Ben Batger, Eastwood’s fullback, was ruled out before the final with injury but he is also in the Rams squad.

Eastwood’s win marked their second title win in four years after beating Sydney University for the trophy in 2011.

Eastwood coach John Manenti, who is an assistant at the Rams under Brian Melrose, said: “We’ve worked hard all year, I think there were a few people that doubted us mid-season, doubted we had the ability.”

Manenti’s team was smashed by Uni in last year’s grand final, and he added: “The best thing about [this win] was that there was only six players from last year’s team.

“We’ve brought new players in, up from second grade and they all had to stand up. We had a few injuries and we had to overcome a bit of adversity and we did that really well.”

The victory was doubly special for skipper Perrett, who was playing his 200th first grade game.

“He’s outstanding, what a credit, 200 first grade games, I don’t know if it’ll be done any more in this era,” Manenti said.

“He’s a great leader, he hung out there and he fought through it. He was really great.”

Eastwood 31 (Jed Gillespie, Jai Ayoub, Michael McDougall tries; Tom Hill 3 cons, 4 pens) defeated Southern Districts 13 (Ben Volavola try; Ben Volavola con, 2 pens) at Concord Oval.

Originally published as Eastwood set to dominate Greater Sydney Rams squad following Shute Shield triumph