Shute Shield Gordon v Eastern Suburbs: Easts confident after slow start

It’s been more than a decade since Eastern Suburbs have made a Shute Shield grand final. But they have a strong belief they can down the best team in the competition to end the drought.

Easts were defeated by Eastwood in the preliminary final to set up their elimination final match against Gordon.

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They haven’t appeared in a Shute Shield season decider since 2008 but Eastern Suburbs coach Pauli Taumoepeau said the Beasties have had their eyes on this prize since round four of the competition.

That’s when Easts were back in ninth place on the league ladder, struggling to find early season form and boasting the awful record of just one win from their first four games.

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Easts will match up against minor premiers Gordon on Saturday. Pic: Karen Watson.

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Taumoepeau said his charges never lost sight of their goal to make the grand final or faith in their ability to do so.

“We’re very excited. We have worked hard to get in this position,” he said ahead of Eats elimination final against Gordon at Rat park on Saturday.

“We were one and three losses and there was no talk of failure.

“When we were ninth on the ladder we knew we wanted to be top three and knew we had to win six of our last eight and we won eight from eight.

“We can do it. We believed we could win this at one win and three losses. We sure believe it now.”

Action in the Shute Shield preliminary final between Easts and Eastwood.

Missing from their finals campaign, however, will be Rob Leota who broke his ankle in the last play of Easts loss to Eastwood in last weekend’s preliminary final.

The loss set up Easts clash with minor premiership Gordon in the elimination finals and bundled last year’s champions, Sydney University, out of the competition.

SHUTE SHIELD ELIMINATION FINALS

Saturday, Rat Park 1.30pm.

Eastern Suburbs v Gordon

Sunday, Rat Park, 4pm

Northern Suburbs v Eastwood

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