Shute Shield grand final: Coaches reveal how Easts, Norths can win, key players to watch

They pained at the time but a loss a year ago and a series of monster clashes recently could play a significant role in Norths winning the 2024 Shute Shield. Latest news and players to watch

Northern Suburbs beat Randwick to secure a spot in the grand final. Picture: Karen Watson/SRU

They are up against the team full of big names and future Wallabies but Northern Suburbs coach Zak Beer believes big game experience and cohesion can win grand finals and he has it in spades.

Beer said the character of players, laser focus and composure under pressure are also important traits if Norths are to beat a fired up Eastern Suburbs for the 2024 Shute Shield trophy at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday.

“We have had the benefit of some monster clashes even before we got to the finals so we are well conditioned,’’ Beer said.

“We’ve also got the mental conditioning of having to navigate an extra time win (in the semis).

“We have to accept grand final week but it is just another game of footy and it’s about controlling your recovery, doing field sessions and doubling down on the processes that have worked for us.

Northern Suburbs will meet Easts in the grand final. Picture: Karen Watson/SRUC

“In a grand final everyone runs faster, hits harder. For me, I think the team that is the most calm and composed will win.”

Giving Norths a leg up here is the fact the club will field over 1000 Shute Shield caps in the decider and 13 players from last year’s grand final.

The loyalty of his players - four of whom will be playing in their fourth grand final since 2016 - means his is one of the most cohesive sides in club rugby.

Norths were beaten 17–15 by Randwick last year in a heartbreaking result for the club.

Beer said the loss has provided motivation for the only club to have made all three Shute Shield grand finals since the Covid cancellation of the 2021 competition.

Norths in action against Randwick

“There is a passion to make up for that (grand final loss). We have been working and building all year to have a second crack at it.

“But you can’t go back and put our name on the Shield. This is about writing our name on the 2024 Shield.’’

Norths last win was in 2016 against Sydney University followed by a loss to Warringah a year later.

Beer identified a number of players for Norths including Max and Harry Burey, lock Hugh Sinclair, hooker Sam Kitchen, who was part of the 2016 winning team, prolific pointscorer Jude Gibbs and aggressive outside centre Henry O’Donnell who has been signed by the Waratahs.

Easts emerged victrious form a tough battle with Warringah in the elimination final.

HOW EASTERN SUBURBS CAN WIN THE SHUTE SHIELD

EARLIER: He rates Northern Suburbs as the most inform team in the Shute Shield but Eastern Suburbs coach Ben Batger reckons there’s multiple reasons his side can beat them for club rugby’s top title if they hang tough.

Eastern Suburbs last won a Shute Shield in 1969 but their coach has and reckons he has the steam - and specialist players - to end one of club rugby’s long drought

Batger, who joined Easts from Eastwood this year with assistant coaches Jed Gillespie and Billy Melrose, is now part of a renaissance at the club which claimed the minor premiership in the Shute Shield, three grade and two Colts competitions and will have four grade teams vying for titles on Saturday and two in Colts on Sunday.

This show of strength during the regular season delivered Easts the club championship crown for the first time since 1971 with the Shute Shield minor premiership coming despite the first grade team being stripped of five points for a breach of the play points system.

Batger rates Norths, who produced a calculated display to book their spot in the grand final with a 34-17 win over defending champions Randwick

Easts defeated Warringah to make the Shute Shield decider. Picture: Karen Watson/SRU August 2024

But he also knows he has a team - and multiple individual players - who can turn a game on its head.

“Norths have been the best team in the finals. Their defence is the best in the competition. They get plaudits for their attack but it’s their defence which is so good,” Batger said.

“They are very familiar with each other and have finals experience.

“I think we only have four surviving players from the team last year so we just have to stick to what we worked this year.

“They will go speed and structure verses our power and strength, perhaps power and unstructured footy.

“But we play to the best of our ability we can get it.”

Easts last won the Shute Shield back in 1969.

Critical to the success of the team will be the likes of dazzling Wallabies winger Darby Lancaster who scored a trifecta in the elimination final and Waratahs half Teddy Wilson who scored twice in the same match against Randwick on Saturday.

Other super rugby players in the team include fly half Jack Bowen, Charlie Gamble and lock Fergus-Lee Warner

“James (Adamson), Teddy and Darby, they can break games open,” Batger said.

“Darby has been amazing for us. He is a point of difference with his speed, a great team man.

“Teddy is a great is player. He scored two tries (in elimination final) but he’s also a great defender.

“James is vital for us. He leads by example.

“Fergus Lee Warner, our big second rower has been at Easts since 2014 and is a real leader.

“Charlie Gamble is a quality player, a workhorse. He will run, tackle, pass, hit breakdowns.

“And Fabian Goodall at 125 kilos, he can be destructive.”

SHUTE SHIELD AND CLUB RUGBY SCHEDULE FOR LEICHHARDT OVAL

4th Grade: 8:40am EASTS V NORTHS

3rd Grade: 10:30am EASTS V RANDWICK

2nd Grade 12:30pm EASTS V MANLY

1st Grade 2:45pm EASTS V NORTHS