The history, stinks and omens behind the Shute Shield decider

Founded in 1922, the Shute Shield is rich in history and tradition. Iconic names of Australian, legendary coaches and famous clubs have all made their marks in the competition through the decades.

But there could still be a fresh piece of Sydney club rugby history made on Saturday at Leichhardt Oval, when silverware is up for grabs on Grand Final day. Eastern Suburbs are in the deciders of all four grades - from fourth grade through to first grade.

Since fourth grade was first contested in 1932, no club has ever done the clean sweep. Sydney Uni had the chance in 2019 when they were in all the deciders but dropped the third grade grand final.

Let’s take a look at some of the other talking points.

Easts’ (other) shot at history

The club’s shot at history is one thing - and Easts are also in two of three colts grand finals - but the Easts first-grade team has its eyes set on breaking a long-standing hoodoo in the Shute Shield.

Easts hasn’t won a Shute Shield grand final since 1969. It is effectively third-longest drought, with West Harbour last winning as Western Suburbs in 1929, and Southern Districts’ last title coming in 1957, via one half of their merger - St George.

The 1969 Eastern Suburbs team, captained by Peter Crittle and also featuring Paul and Chris Dawson.Credit: Fairfax Media

The Easts team of 1969 was captained by Wallabies legend Peter Crittle, but is also somewhat infamous given the Dawson brothers, Chris and Paul, were also in the team.

Eagle-eyed punters are right to point out Easts have their name on the Shute Shield as winners in 2003.

It came during the period when the season was split into two competitions between 2002 and 2006 - with Sydney clubs contesting a first-past-the-post competition for the Shute Shield, and then the Tooheys New Cup, which ending with finals and a Grand Final.

The Easts win in 2003 wasn’t the source of wild celebrations, given Eastwood went on to win the Tooheys New Cup. The Easts team were only formally presented with the Shute Shield for the first time at their 20-year reunion last year.

Northern exposure

Norths have barely a fraction of the star power of Easts, who are stocked with so many professionals they’ve been dubbed ‘Real Madrid’ - and sparked a major stink in club rugby about following rules (see below).

But the Shoremen have a clear advantage over Easts in experience and cohesion.

Norths have named 15 players who were in the Grand Final last year, and many have been in the team for several seasons. Coach Zak Beer said his team have over 1000 Shute Shield caps experience, and his highly cohesive team run with the efficiency of a Swiss watch. It’s not flashy but it’s effective.

Beer, 35, is a coach on the rise. Though he recently re-signed to stay at Norths, Beer is also seen as a strong contender to take over as Junior Wallabies - the same pathway taken by Simon Cron, who last coached Norths to victory in 2016.

Henry O’Donnell passes the ball for Norths in their semi-final win over Randwick.Credit: Karen Watson/SRU

Future Tahs stars and sons of guns

If you are a Waratahs fan, there’s some exciting young talent for you to keep an eye on in the Shute Shield decider.

The Easts halves are Teddy Wilson and Jack Bowen, who both played for the Tahs in 2024 and at 21 and 20 respectively, will be the spine of NSW for years to come. The pair have played together through Easts colts and also the Junior Wallabies.

Both are also sons of former Wallabies teammates - David Wilson and Scott Bowen.

Teddy Wilson clears the ball for Easts.Credit: Karen Watson/SRU

On the Norths side, you can’t go past outstanding centre Henry O’Donnell. The 21-year-old played NSW juniors and for the Junior Wallabies, before signing for the Force last season. But the Tahs have wisely woken up and recruited O’Donnell back last month. A star on the rise.

Points of tension

You can’t talk about the 2024 Shute Shield without mentioning the elephantine tension in the competition around Easts breaching the Player Points system.

Along with a salary cap, the player points system is a talent equalisation device to ensure a level playing field for Shute Shield clubs. Easts were discovered to have gone over the 100-point limit in a game against Souths, and were let off after explaining it was due to a data discrepancy around one of their imports. Rivals clubs blew up and the club was later fined and stripped of five competition points.

Easts coach Ben Batger said “we got it wrong for one game, so I’ve got to wear that as the coach”.

That hasn’t stopped some rival clubs from fuming though, and questioning if it was more than a one-off. Expect a major push for review of how Sydney Rugby Union audit and enforce regulations in the post-season - with Easts supporting it.

Easts say they’re “squeaky clean” and rivals are lobbing stones from “glasshouses”. They want transparent auditing of the points and the salary cap to prove their bona fides.

Brothers in battle

Fancy an omen? The last time Norths won the Shute Shield, in 2016, they had a pair of country-bred brothers in the team: Angus and Hugh Sinclair, from Cowra.

Harry Burey carts the ball into traffic for Norths.Credit: Karen Watson/SRU

The red-and-blacks will have bush brothers on deck on Saturday too, in captain Harry Burey and his brother Max, from Wagga.

Max missed the decider last year when he was contentiously called back by the Western Force for an off-season tour of South Africa. This year sense has prevailed and Max didn’t have to go on the same Force tour.

Hugh Sinclair is still going for Norths, too. The big Waratahs lock is one of the game’s most consistent players and will be vital for Norths.

Final word: The decider will be refereed by one of the world’s best: World Cup semi-final whistleblower Angus Gardner. Gardner has taken time away from the Test circuit for personal reasons and the game will be better for his presence.