Shute Shield grand final 2022 guide: every result, team lists, run to decider, players to watch

The two best club ruby teams will fight for the Shute Shield today. How they got here, who has the edge on paper, players to watch, team lists and more. GRAND FINAL GUIDE.

Amanda Lulham

@amandalulham

5 min read

September 3, 2022 - 6:08PM

NewsLocal

Sydney University and reigning premiers Gordon with the Shute Shield trophy at Leichhardt Oval. (L-R) Sydney University coach Sean Hedger and captain Jack McCalman with Gordon captain James Lough and coach Billy Melrose.

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It was a casualty of the Covid pandemic last year but the Shute Shield grand final is back in 2022 and will be fought out at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday.

The two most successful teams in the past five years will be battling each other after an extraordinary season of highs and lows and a fascinating finals series.

While Sydney Uni have been a pace setter all season, Gordon has had to battle its way from near the bottom of the table to make the grand final.

We take a look at how the two clubs got here, how they are looking, who their coaches think are the players to watch, news links and more in our grand final guide.

STARS AND STANDOUTS OF SHUTE SHIELD GRAND FINAL

FROM HOSPITAL TO PRO CONTRACT FOR YOUNG GUN

The Shute Shield grand final is back for the first time since 2020.

SHUTE SHIELD GRAND FINAL 2022: GORDON V SYDNEY UNIVERSITY

Match details: 3.10pm Saturday

Gordon v Sydney University at Leichhardt Oval

Gordon won the last Shute Shield grand final played back in 2021.

Sydney University won the two grand finals prior.

Shute Shield captains Jack McCalman and James Lough.

COACHES SAY: SHUTE SHIELD GAME CHANGERS AND PLAYERS T0 WATCH

They are veterans, young guns and players with specific skills and the Shute Shield coaches have now identified the men who can change the course of the grand final.

Sydney University coach Sean Hedger believes Gordon has a number of players who are “triple threats’’ and identified the recently returned Harrison Goddard and Super Rugby player Jack McGregor as potential game changes for the club.

“They have been bolstered by the return of Jack McGregor back from Western Force and Harrison Goddard (from the US),’’ he said.

“Harrison Godard is a triple threat, he can run, pass and kick. You have to keep all eyes on him. He speeds up their game. He is at the breakdown really early and speeds up their game.

Sydney University's captain Jack McCalman and coach Sean Hedger at Leichhardt Oval.

“McGregor has a very good kicking game and passing game. He connects well and they move the ball with speed and accuracy.

“Reece McDonald, he’s the big x-factor. He is like a another first receiver so they are playing now with two playmakers. He got player of the match last time and he’s another triple threat.’’

Hedger also identified Gordon gun Mahe Vailanu as another player who can change the course of a game.

“He’s the hooker and an impact player. he’s happy to play what’s in front of him,’’ he said.

Gordon coach Billy Melrose and captain James Lough.

Gordon coach Billy Melrose said Sydney Uni are dangerous across the board.

“They have a certain style and are ruthlessly efficient at doing it,’’ he said.

“They are good at the basic things that win you games.

“They are a very professional club, they have a great setup, a good program, facility and they are always fit and well conditioned and strong.

Teams are locked ðŸ”’

Our Grand Final teams for Shute Shield, Second Grade and 1st Colts are set. Donâ€™t miss this, grab your tickets below!

ðŸŽŸ https://t.co/30vm8McvMB pic.twitter.com/hzhFGPKpvK
— Charter Hall Shute Shield (@theshuteshield) September 1, 2022

“They do the basics of the game as good or better than anyone. They play a game that is hard to beat.

Melrose said Sydney Uni’s forward pack “in general” is dangerous.

“They have Henry Robertson who gave us a torrid time last time,’’ Melrose said.

“In their backline Tom English is a real high level player and Tim Clements has won a couple of comps.

“Ben Hughes has also been good. And collectively their forwards.’’

Gordon won the last grand final played in 2020. Pic: Karen Watson

RUGBY CLUB CHASING FIFTH GF TITLE IN SIX DAYS

GORDON’S RUN TO THE GRAND FINAL

Gordon beat Hunter Wildfires 31-26 in round one

Gordon beat Souths 44-22 in round two

Gordon lost to Warringah 30-25 in round three

Gordon lost to the Two Blues 25-15 in round four

Gordon lost to Randwick 20-17 in round five

Gordon beat West Harbour 24-14 in round six

Gordon list to Norths 22-21 in round seven

Gordon lost to Manly 35-29 in round eight

Gordon lost to Sydney University 27-19 in round nine

Gordon lost to Eastern Suburbs 33-13 in round 10

Gordon beat Eastwood 35-30 in round 11

Gordon beat West Harbour 57-27 in round 12

Gordon beat Randwick 23-13 in round 13

Gordon beat Norths 25-22 in round 14

Gordon beat Souths 43-34 in round 15

Gordon lost to Eastern Suburbs 48-20 in round 16

Gordon beat Manly 24-22 in round 17

Gordon were beaten by Hunter Wildfires 27-26 in round 18

Gordon survived a tough match against Norths to earn their spot in the decider. Pic: Karen Watson

FINALS SERIES RESULTS

Gordon beat Warringah 36–20 in the qualifying finals.

Gordon beat Randwick 24–23 in the semi-finals

Gordon beat Norths 23-13 in the preliminary finals

Sydney University are tough defensively but only just beat Eastwood at Pittwater Rugby Park last weekend. Pic: Karen Watson

SYDNEY UNIVERSITY’S RUN TO THE GRAND FINAL

Sydney Uni were beaten 29-26 by Warringah in round one

Sydney Uni beat Randwick 34-21 in round two

Sydney Uni beat West Harbour 41-14 in round three

Sydney Uni beat Hunter wildfires 33-14 in round four

Sydney Uni were beaten by the Two Blues 27-19 in round five

Sydney Uni beat Norths 17-12 in round six

Sydney Uni beat Eastern Suburbs 21-15 in round seven

Sydney Uni beat Souths 45-12 in round eight

Sydney Uni beat Gordon 27-19 in round nine

Sydney Uni beat Eastwood 31-20 in round 10

Sydney Uni are a club bursting with great young talent. Pic: Karen Watson

Sydney Uni were beaten by Manly-20–10 in round 11

Sydney Uni were beaten by Hunter Wildfires 16-14 in round 12

Sydney Uni beat Eastern Suburbs 41-6 in round 13

Sydney Uni beat South‘s 28-22 in round 14

Sydney Uni beat Warringah 36-25 in round 15

Sydney Uni were beaten by Eastwood 26-21 in round 16

Sydney Uni beat West Harbour 49-0 in round 17

Sydney Uni beat Manly 24-20 in round 18

FINALS SERIES RESULTS

Sydney Uni beat Randwick 31-29 in the qualifying finals

Sydney Uni beat Eastwood 10-9 in the preliminary finals.

Gordon are coached by Billy Melrose and have staged a big comeback to make the season decider. Pic: Karen Watson

GORDON RUGBY FACTS AND FIGURES

#Coached by Billy Melrose.

#Captained by James Lough

#Gordon beat Eastwood for the 2020 title with a 28-8 win at Leichhardt Oval,

#Gordon have had an up-and-down season with a series of losses early putting them into fightback mode.

#There is also the potential for Henry Clunies-Ross to make a comeback from injury.

GORDON’S KEY PLAYERS

Reece MacDonald scored more tries than anyone in the regular season to win the Roscoe Fay Trophy.

Harrison Goddard is back after time in the US and making a big impact.

Mahe Vailanu is key to Gordon and arguably their biggest asset.

Jack McGregor who played a key role against Randwick in the semi-finals

James Lough and speedster Will Terry are also players set to make an impact.

Sydney University in action against Eastwood at Pittwater Rugby Park. Pic: Karen Watson

SYDNEY UNIVERSITY FACTS AND FIGURES

#Coached by Sean Hedger

#Captained by Jack McCalman

#The reigning Gregor George Trophy (Overall Club Champions), 2022 Jeffrey Sayles Trophy (Grade Club Champions) and 2022 Eric Spilsted Trophy holders (Colts Club Champions)

#Sydney University went straight through to the preliminary finals with their qualifying finals win over Randwick.

#Sydney University won the Shute Shield with a 21-16 win over Warringah in 2019 and a 45-12 victory over Warringah in 2018.

#Have spent the majority of the season near or at the top of the ladder and finished second at the end of the regular season.