Shute Shield grand final 2022 guide: every result, team lists, run to decider, players to watch
The two best club ruby teams will fight for the Shute Shield today. How they got here, who has the edge on paper, players to watch, team lists and more. GRAND FINAL GUIDE.
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It was a casualty of the Covid pandemic last year but the Shute Shield grand final is back in 2022 and will be fought out at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday.
The two most successful teams in the past five years will be battling each other after an extraordinary season of highs and lows and a fascinating finals series.
While Sydney Uni have been a pace setter all season, Gordon has had to battle its way from near the bottom of the table to make the grand final.
We take a look at how the two clubs got here, how they are looking, who their coaches think are the players to watch, news links and more in our grand final guide.
STARS AND STANDOUTS OF SHUTE SHIELD GRAND FINAL
FROM HOSPITAL TO PRO CONTRACT FOR YOUNG GUN
SHUTE SHIELD GRAND FINAL 2022: GORDON V SYDNEY UNIVERSITY
Match details: 3.10pm Saturday
Gordon v Sydney University at Leichhardt Oval
Gordon won the last Shute Shield grand final played back in 2021.
Sydney University won the two grand finals prior.
COACHES SAY: SHUTE SHIELD GAME CHANGERS AND PLAYERS T0 WATCH
They are veterans, young guns and players with specific skills and the Shute Shield coaches have now identified the men who can change the course of the grand final.
Sydney University coach Sean Hedger believes Gordon has a number of players who are “triple threats’’ and identified the recently returned Harrison Goddard and Super Rugby player Jack McGregor as potential game changes for the club.
“They have been bolstered by the return of Jack McGregor back from Western Force and Harrison Goddard (from the US),’’ he said.
“Harrison Godard is a triple threat, he can run, pass and kick. You have to keep all eyes on him. He speeds up their game. He is at the breakdown really early and speeds up their game.
“McGregor has a very good kicking game and passing game. He connects well and they move the ball with speed and accuracy.
“Reece McDonald, he’s the big x-factor. He is like a another first receiver so they are playing now with two playmakers. He got player of the match last time and he’s another triple threat.’’
Hedger also identified Gordon gun Mahe Vailanu as another player who can change the course of a game.
“He’s the hooker and an impact player. he’s happy to play what’s in front of him,’’ he said.
Gordon coach Billy Melrose said Sydney Uni are dangerous across the board.
“They have a certain style and are ruthlessly efficient at doing it,’’ he said.
“They are good at the basic things that win you games.
“They are a very professional club, they have a great setup, a good program, facility and they are always fit and well conditioned and strong.
Teams are locked 🔒
— Charter Hall Shute Shield (@theshuteshield) September 1, 2022
Our Grand Final teams for Shute Shield, Second Grade and 1st Colts are set. Don’t miss this, grab your tickets below!
🎟 https://t.co/30vm8McvMBpic.twitter.com/hzhFGPKpvK
“They do the basics of the game as good or better than anyone. They play a game that is hard to beat.
Melrose said Sydney Uni’s forward pack “in general” is dangerous.
“They have Henry Robertson who gave us a torrid time last time,’’ Melrose said.
“In their backline Tom English is a real high level player and Tim Clements has won a couple of comps.
“Ben Hughes has also been good. And collectively their forwards.’’
RUGBY CLUB CHASING FIFTH GF TITLE IN SIX DAYS
GORDON’S RUN TO THE GRAND FINAL
Gordon beat Hunter Wildfires 31-26 in round one
Gordon beat Souths 44-22 in round two
Gordon lost to Warringah 30-25 in round three
Gordon lost to the Two Blues 25-15 in round four
Gordon lost to Randwick 20-17 in round five
Gordon beat West Harbour 24-14 in round six
Gordon list to Norths 22-21 in round seven
Gordon lost to Manly 35-29 in round eight
Gordon lost to Sydney University 27-19 in round nine
Gordon lost to Eastern Suburbs 33-13 in round 10
Gordon beat Eastwood 35-30 in round 11
Gordon beat West Harbour 57-27 in round 12
Gordon beat Randwick 23-13 in round 13
Gordon beat Norths 25-22 in round 14
Gordon beat Souths 43-34 in round 15
Gordon lost to Eastern Suburbs 48-20 in round 16
Gordon beat Manly 24-22 in round 17
Gordon were beaten by Hunter Wildfires 27-26 in round 18
FINALS SERIES RESULTS
Gordon beat Warringah 36–20 in the qualifying finals.
Gordon beat Randwick 24–23 in the semi-finals
Gordon beat Norths 23-13 in the preliminary finals
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY’S RUN TO THE GRAND FINAL
Sydney Uni were beaten 29-26 by Warringah in round one
Sydney Uni beat Randwick 34-21 in round two
Sydney Uni beat West Harbour 41-14 in round three
Sydney Uni beat Hunter wildfires 33-14 in round four
Sydney Uni were beaten by the Two Blues 27-19 in round five
Sydney Uni beat Norths 17-12 in round six
Sydney Uni beat Eastern Suburbs 21-15 in round seven
Sydney Uni beat Souths 45-12 in round eight
Sydney Uni beat Gordon 27-19 in round nine
Sydney Uni beat Eastwood 31-20 in round 10
Sydney Uni were beaten by Manly-20–10 in round 11
Sydney Uni were beaten by Hunter Wildfires 16-14 in round 12
Sydney Uni beat Eastern Suburbs 41-6 in round 13
Sydney Uni beat South‘s 28-22 in round 14
Sydney Uni beat Warringah 36-25 in round 15
Sydney Uni were beaten by Eastwood 26-21 in round 16
Sydney Uni beat West Harbour 49-0 in round 17
Sydney Uni beat Manly 24-20 in round 18
FINALS SERIES RESULTS
Sydney Uni beat Randwick 31-29 in the qualifying finals
Sydney Uni beat Eastwood 10-9 in the preliminary finals.
GORDON RUGBY FACTS AND FIGURES
#Coached by Billy Melrose.
#Captained by James Lough
#Gordon beat Eastwood for the 2020 title with a 28-8 win at Leichhardt Oval,
#Gordon have had an up-and-down season with a series of losses early putting them into fightback mode.
#There is also the potential for Henry Clunies-Ross to make a comeback from injury.
GORDON’S KEY PLAYERS
Reece MacDonald scored more tries than anyone in the regular season to win the Roscoe Fay Trophy.
Harrison Goddard is back after time in the US and making a big impact.
Mahe Vailanu is key to Gordon and arguably their biggest asset.
Jack McGregor who played a key role against Randwick in the semi-finals
James Lough and speedster Will Terry are also players set to make an impact.
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY FACTS AND FIGURES
#Coached by Sean Hedger
#Captained by Jack McCalman
#The reigning Gregor George Trophy (Overall Club Champions), 2022 Jeffrey Sayles Trophy (Grade Club Champions) and 2022 Eric Spilsted Trophy holders (Colts Club Champions)
#Sydney University went straight through to the preliminary finals with their qualifying finals win over Randwick.
#Sydney University won the Shute Shield with a 21-16 win over Warringah in 2019 and a 45-12 victory over Warringah in 2018.
#Have spent the majority of the season near or at the top of the ladder and finished second at the end of the regular season.
SYDNEY UNI’S KEY PLAYER
Hooker Ciaran Loh is dangerous in the lineout and on the score board.
Rohan Regan is one of their most experienced players and leads by example.
Scrum half Henry Robertson, winger Will Goddard and fullback Tim Clements can cause all sorts of drama for the opposition.
WINNERS, GRINNERS AT SYDNEY JUNIORS
BLOODLINES: TEENS WITH FAMOUS NAMES
FOOTY SISTER ACT IN A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN
SHUTE SHIELD 2022 REGULAR SEASON AWARDS
2022 Minor Premiers (ES Marks Memorial Shield) - Northern Suburbs
2022 Club Champions (Gregor George Trophy) - Sydney University
2022 Grade Club Champions (Jeffrey Sayles Trophy) - Sydney University
2022 Colts Club Champions (Eric Spilsted Shield) - Sydney University
2022 Sir Roden Cutler Shield - Randwick.
2022 Ken Catchpole Medal (Player of the Year) - Max Douglas (Manly)
2022 Rookie of the Year - Conor Hickey (Warringah)
2022 David Brockhoff Medal (Coach of the Year) - Scott Coleman (Hunter Wildfires) and Sean Hedger (Sydney University)
2022 Dick Byres Medal (Referee of the Year) - David Conway
2022 Roscoe Fay Trophy (Highest Point Scorer) - Reece MacDonald (Gordon)
2022 Highest Try Scorer - Phillip Bradford (Hunter Wildfires)
2022 Charter Hall Community Spirit Award - Chris Hedge (Manly)
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