Shute Shield grand final: Norths brothers in arms out to spoil Easts party in club rugby decider

It was a relationship forged in a backyard in a small country town which could deliver Norths the most important title in club rugby at Leichhardt oval.

Northern Suburbs are hoping to have plenty to cheer about on Saturday. Picture: Clay Cross / SPORTSPICS

It was a relationship forged in a backyard in a small country town which could deliver Northern Suburbs the most important title in club rugby at Leichhardt oval.

Max Burey reckons some of the biggest hits hes taken were against his brothers growing up in country NSW.

Burey was hardened in the backyard playing rugby union and league footy with his older brothers, including Norths stalwart Harry, at their childhood home on a couple of acres near Wagga.

With four years difference between him and Northern Suburbs teammate Harry, he quickly learned the skills he needed to avoid permanent damage.

“He was always bigger, it made it challenging,” said Burey, now 25.

“I try to avoid contact. That’s probably where I learned it back then.”

Burey, now playing Super Rugby in Perth, rejoined his older brother at Norths five years ago and shared a flat together before his departure to Perth.

“We grew up playing footy but we never played together until we were at Norths,“ Burey said.

Northern Suburbs fans at the recent match against Randwick.

“I started playing at five and the others (brothers) were older and beat me up a bit but now we are older and Harry and I have become closer. We are good mates, we have similar interests.

“I do think time spent together has helped our rugby.’’

This childhood hardening of body and mind paid dividends last year when Burey was plucked out of the world of Shute Shield rugby and into the Western Force program, making his debut against the Crusaders while also spending time in John Manenti’s national rugby sevens program.

But now the young fullback and playmaker has been reunited with inside centre Harry for the finale of the Shute Shield season again at Eastern Suburbs at Leichhardt on Saturday.

And no one is happier than North’s coach Zak Beer who prizes combinations and cohesion and rates the brother’s special relationship as integral to their success after losing the grand final to Randwick a year ago.

“They still play like that, like they are in the backyard at Wagga,” said coach Beer who took the reins of the club in 2021 and has led his team into two successive grand finals.

“They have a very special connection.

Charter Hall Shute Shield Grand Finalists Captains (L-R) Josh Bokser (Eastern Suburbs) and Harry Burey (Northern Suburbs) with the trophy at Leichhardt Oval.

“Harry has almost 150 caps for Norths and our leader and is very composed.

“Then there’s Max who is coming back from a huge season with Western Force and Sevens and he is tactically one of the smartest players I have ever coached.

“These brothers give it everything. You just can’t buy that type of cohesion.”

No one is more eager to get on the field than Burey who missed last year‘s grand final due to his commitments with the Force in South Africa.

“It almost killed me to miss those last games of the season“ he said.

“It’s a lot worse not even being able to sit on the sidelines.

“I’m just pleased I get to play for North alongside my brother. He’s been there for 10 years and he’s very important to the club.”

Norths last won the Shute Shield by beating Sydney University in 2016.

A year later they were beaten 30–25 by Warringah and 17-15 in 2023 by Randwick.

It’s been much longer between drinks for Eastern Suburbs who have not won the Shute Shield since 1969 but in a show of strength have a team in every grade grand final being played on Saturday at Leichhardt Oval.