Shute Shield 2022 grand final Sydney Uni v Gordon result, stars, standouts and best photos
It was a game for the ages - and mud larks. The first Shute Shield since 2020 has been decided at Leichhardt Oval and it didn’t disappoint. Stars, standouts and result wrap from the thriller.
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Half a century after Sydney University beat Gordon for the greatest prize in club rugby - the famous Shute Shield.
On Saturday they repeated the feat at the end of one of the most extraordinary, and closest, seasons, in memory.
The Students claimed the Shute Shield with their 26-19 win against a valiant Gordon who fought right until the final whistle.
Back in 1972 the Students shadowed Gordon 10-6.
“I am just so proud of them,’’ said captain Jack McCalman at the end of what was an emotional rollercoaster for both teams and their fans.
Sydney Uni went into the match as favourites courtesy of their much talked about forward pack and liking for the wet.
They were also the most experienced club at finals footy in recent times, with 17 appearances in the last 22 grand finals, and chasing their 33rd premiership title.
In contrast Gordon, who won in 2020 with their 28-8 win over Eastwood, was chasing its 10th shield after fighting their way back from near last on the ladder earlier this year.
STARS, STANDOUTS, TRY SCORERS OF THE GRAND FINAL
A howling southerly and periods of driving rain made the going tough for both sides in the 2022 season decider.
Prolific pointscorer Reece MacDonald put first points on the board for Gordon with a penalty kick.
But it was Sydney Uni who were first to score a try with Ben Hughes going over and then nailing the conversion to put the Students up 7-3 around 13 minutes for halftime.
MacDonald kept Gordon right in touch with another penalty kick before Ben Pollack went over just before halftime to give Gordon the 11-7 lead going into the break.
The second half had fans form both clubs on the edge of their seats.
Charlie Hancock put Sydney Uni ahead around eight minutes after returning from the break with Jack McCalman scoring just minutes later to help the Students to a 19-11 jump.
The Highlanders hit back courtesy of a sensational try from Pollack, his second of the game.
A penalty kick from Jack McGregor saw Gordon fight their way back to 19-19.
But a try from Mitch Ryan broke the deadlock with another Ben Hughes conversion sealing Gordon the grand final.
SECOND GRADE GRAND FINAL: EASTERN SUBURBS V SYDNEY UNIVERSITY
In an great match between two inform teams it was Eastern Suburbs who ran off with the second grade win.
Easts beat Sydney Uni 25-21 in wet and chilly conditions.
Julian Heaven, Will Nicholls and Nic Shannon all went over for Easts in the match with
Lachlan Bradford doing plenty of damage with his kicking by nailing two conversions and two penalties.
Banjo Travers, Malipolo Manukia and Patrick O’Doherty were Uni’s tryscorers with Jude Gibbs kicking three conversions.
FIRST COLTS GRAND FINAL: EASTERN SUBURBS V MANLY
Eastern Suburbs took this earlier match played at Leichhardt Oval.
Easts beat Manly 20-18 in an entertaining Colts season decider.
Callan Oeding scored two tries for Easts with teammate Joey Ryan also going over/
Connor McMullen nailed a conversion and penalty.
Jack Ryan and Clayden Paranihi were manly’s try scorers with Samson Nicholl kicking a conversion and two penalties.
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