Shute Shield final 2022: Manly Marlins out to snap losing run v Norths, schedule, results
They’ve been on a nasty loosing streak so why is Manly coach Phil Blake confident his side will find the form needed to make a big impact in the Shute Shield finals starting this weekend?
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
They boast the worst losing run to the Shute Shield finals series of any team but the Manly Marlins still have high hopes of making a big impact.
The Marlins have been on the wrong end of multiple close calls in recent weeks starting back in round 14 with their agonising one-point loss to West Harbour.
Then followed a 19–27 loss to the Hinter Wildfires, followed by a 20-22 loss to Warringah, a 22–24 loss to Gordon and a 20-24 loss to Sydney University.
In contrast, their opponents on Saturday at North Sydney Oval, Northern Suburbs, have just secured the minor premiership after winning 11 of their last 13 games.
But that’s not fazing Marlins coach Phil Blake.
“We’ve been very buoyant over the last month or so. We haven’t had the results but the performances have been there and that’s good,’’ he said.
“We just have to keep performing putting ourselves in good positions.
“We have been knocking on the door. We now just need to lock the door down.
“The challenge ahead is exciting.’’
Blake said the belief in the Marlins side is “sky high, and they are ready to throw everything at their finals campaign.
“We are not like certain sides that have been together for 3 to 5 years. We’ve only been together for nine months,” he said.
“But they are a very close knit group of boys who will do anything for each other.’’
SHUTE SHIELD QUALIFYING FINALS SCHEDULE
SATURDAY
Norths v Manly, North Sydney Oval. 3:10pm
Sydney Uni v Randwick, Sydney University Football Ground, 3:30pm
Eastwood v Eastern Suburbs, Eric Tweedale Stadium, 3:30pm
SUNDAY
Warringah v Gordon, Pittwater Rugby Park, 3:05pm
Shute Shield organisers make Leichhardt Oval call
They threw the house at us - Shute Shield preview
SG Moore Cup: Title decided with final-over thriller
There were in incredible scenes in the SG Moore Cup as the tournament was decided by the finest of margins in a final-over thriller.
‘Crucial exposure’: First look at young rugby players touted as future Wallabies
They have been rivals some days, teammates on others and now this close-knit group of young rugby players will share the honour of wearing an Australian uniform for the first time.