Shute Shield grand final 2020: Gordon’s game changers, players to watch
They are the players who can turn a game on its head - and win big for Gordon in the Shute Shield season decider this weekend.
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They are the players who who can turn a game on its head - and win big for Gordon in the Shute Shield.
No one knows better than Easts coach Pauli Taumoepeau the Gordon players who can cause damage and end a club’s dreams.
His charges were on the receiving end of Gordon’s guns in the elimination final of the premier club competition on Saturday, beaten for a spot in the season decider 28-10.
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Now heading into Saturday’s finale, Taumoepeau has identified the key players who can get Gordon over the line in the grand final.
Included are hooker and one of the competitions leading try scorers Mahe Vailanu, halfback Harrison Goddard, his brother and captain Jordan Goddard and fly half Rodney Iona.
“Mahe Vailanu is great, Rodney Iona is great and Harrison Goddard have been fantastic. These three are the spine of that team,” the Easts coach said.
“I would say the key to that team is those three and they are just so well lead by Jordy (Jordan Goddard).
“Then you add in (Jack) Dempsey and Jaline Graham, (Tautalatasi) Tasi and Joey Walton. They can turn games.”
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Also making an impact last weekend and earning special mention from coach Darren Coleman was winger Ahmu Tuimalealiifano.
The 2020 Shute Shield grand final comes at the end of a modified season delayed due to the cornonavirus pandemic.
Teams played each other once during the changed season with both defending champions, Sydney University, and last year’s runners-up, Warringah, failing to make the final game to be played at 3pm on Saturday at Leichhardt Oval.