Shute Shield grand final 2024: Stars, photos from Easts v Norths club rugby decider, all grade results
It only took a matter of minutes for the 2024 Shute Shield champions to declare their goal for next season. Stars, standouts, grade result wrap from the club rugby decider.
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It didn't take too long for Eastern Suburbs to issue a warning to their rivals in the 2025 Shute Shield after escaping with an extraordinary one point victory over Northern Suburbs on the weekend.
An elated coach Ben Batger, who joined the club this season and is signed on for another, said he expects the majority of his players to stay out at the club after they ended their 50 year plus drought in the Shute Shield on Saturday with their 36-35 thriller over Norths.
“We’ll be looking to go back to back,’’ Batger said.
“I think we have changed the perception of Easts rugby.
“Teams have to respect us now.
“And with this group I wouldn’t want to see anyone go to another club.
“This is one of the tightest group there is.
“They are a special bunch.’’
EARLIER: A team of big names and rising stars led by a “tough nut’’ captain and coached by a former club rugby champion have ended a 50-year plush losing streak in the Shute Shield club rugby competition with a mighty fightback and in rapturous scenes at Leichhardt Oval.
Under blue skies and in high heat, Eastern Suburbs navigated their way to the Shute Shield victory with a combination of good old fashioned rugby, fleet-footed youngsters, fierce scrambling defence and under the steady hand of their New Zealand captain Josh Bosker and guidance of new coach Ben Batger.
It was a crucial second try from speedster Darby Lancaster in a crunch moment that saved the day for Easts who had been overtaken by a fired-up Norths in the second half briefly after three straight tries.
“It’s unbelievable, I’m speechless’’ said Jack Bowan, an Easts junior and a ball boy the last time Easts were in a grand final.
“They are special, a special group but that was heart-attack city for me,’’ said coach Batger post game.
“At the end there I just had to believe there was method to the madness and maybe there was. I’m very proud of them’’
Waiting 55 years for the win, the one point victory was a fairytale end to a season of great form and great controversy after Easts were stripped of five points due to a breach of the players points system player controversy but were so far ahead of the pack they still won the minor premiership.
The 36-35 victory over a fighting Norths - runners-up for the second year in succession - was Easts first since 1969 and the second of the day for the club whose fourth grade side also tasted success against Norths.
Easts went into the match as minor premiers despite their penalty while Norths had a tougher ride, working their way into tip-top form as they weaved through the finals series to the Leichhardt finale.
On Saturday these two vastly different teams treated the crowd at Leichhardt to a memorable encounter, fierce fightbacks and edge-of-the-seat rugby.
The match looked to be in Easts grasp heading into the sheds with a 16 point lead but Norths staged an extraordinary three try comebacks after the break.
It was then up to Lancaster’s speed and skill and memorable - and at times desperate defence - from Easts to deliver the club their long awaited shield and set up a long night of celebration.
“The toughness they showed in the second half was incredible,’’ Batger said.
“We didn't play great footy in the second half so it came down to mental toughness.’’
HOW THE GRAND FINAL PLAYED OUT
East put first points on the board from a penalty kick in the opening five minutes with the blinding speed of Lancaster and Teddy Wilson bamboozling Norths as they combined for the first try of the game.
A Norths penalty kept them close in the opening stanza of the match before Jamie Adamson barged his way over for Easts second try soon after and a conversion from Cooper Whiteside put them up 15-3.
New Waratahs signing Henry O’Donnell then reignited Norths with a great try - his fifth of the season - in the 17th minute with a conversion leaving Norths trailing 10-15.
A Jude Gibbs penalty then put Norths within two of Easts in the 22nd minutes.
An Easts lineout maul lead to their third try in the 25th with Julian Heaven thrusting his way over for his ninth try of the season.
Another Cooper Whiteside conversion put 22-13 distance between the two sides.
Big Fabian Goodall then crashed over in another crowd pleaser which saw Easts stretch out to a 16 point lead (29-13) before halftime.
In a game of two very different halves, Norths came out with intent with Michael Scott barging over for the first try of the second half.
Teammate O’Donnell then scored his second of the match to put Norths right back into the game with a conversion seeing the Shoreman trailing 23-29 in the 57th minute.
Ed Timpson scored a crucial try in the 61st minute - their third of the half - to deliver Norths the lead for the first time.
Lancaster then unleashed his trademark speed to score a crunch try and while Norths had their chances it was Easts’s incredible defence which then helped seal the historic win.
SYDNEY RUGBY GRADE GRAND FINALS WRAP
Easts started what they hoped would be a historic day on a high note with their 21-13 victory over Norths in fourth grade.
Joey Ryan and Callum Frawley Richardson both went over with Oliver White good with the boot.
Thomas Roche scored for Norths with Jimmy Greenslade making a conversion and penalty.
Randwick then spoiled the day for Easts in third grade with their 29-17 win.
Logan Aldrige, Jon Chan and Henrik Anthony all scored tries for Randwick with the boot of Alfred Orchard doing plenty of damage.
Angus Brown and Maclean Domkins scored for Easts with Connor McMullen also kicking well.
In second grade Manly beat Easts 24-19.
Ethan Cutler score a double to break the hearts of the Beasties fans with Addison Hawke and Ryo Eto also scoring ion the season decider while Yool Yool chipped in with two conversions.
Zane Marolt and Seb Strang both scored with Sam Olver kicking two conversions.
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