Shute Shield 2025

[noknowledgeatall]

Any Sydney clubs re-convened and started pre- season yet?
Should be seeing the confirmed movements soon.
What are the tipsters saying the table will look like in September?

 

[The Running Game]

Yes, block 2 of pre-season started earlier this week for SS clubs.

 

[HarryElite]

tipping norths to take it out vs easts in gf.
rats and sydney uni to be the other 2 teams in the semi final.
manly and gordon the other 2 in the top 6

randwick, parra to fight hard but just miss out on the finals.

souths and wests wooden spoon battle

 

[wamberal99]

Woodies to make you eat your words.

 

[noknowledgeatall]

Like your confidence but I reckon there is a smokey or two in the table come september.

 

[HarryElite]

I think the comp will be close, it may come down to a couple of wins here and there for finals spots.

i do think uni will go well

 

[Done that]

Ho Hum. You mean the same predictable competition & teams that dominate every year? Let’s hope you’re off the mark, for the sake of Sydney(& Australian) rugby, & so we can have a genuine competition with real interest shared amongst all the clubs supporters who are spread over all of Sydney..

 

[noknowledgeatall]

The challenge is for the lower clubs to up their game and knock over the others.
All comps the world over are cyclic but it is those that put the effort in that reap the rewards.

 

[Done that]

If you’re saying the teams at the top of the ladder put in more effort than those at the bottom, then I disagree with you. I’ve been with clubs at both ends of the ladder & that’s been my experience. It’s not about effort.

 

[noknowledgeatall]

Not just on the field but in the back room as well. The clubs that have good numbers to share the load instead of all being left to a small committee seem to flourish

 

[Done that]

All the SS clubs have successful professionals on their committees these days, & each club must also have
a manager. as a requirement to participate in the competition, & also a number of others who lend off field support.
The reality is that the "top" clubs continually have the best players & more of them.
Its not about effort.
Think $$$'s.

 

[Porridgelover]

excited for 2025

 

[wamberal99]

I've been watching (or playing for*) the Woodies since 1953. You'll get used to it.

(*Lower grades only!)

 

[noknowledgeatall]

ok surely pre season has started around the grounds.
Whats the big news from clubland?

 

[Dave Beat]

souths and wests wooden spoon battle

Phil Blake doesn't coach and recruit for the Wooden Spoon.

 

[the coach]

anstee hasnt been with eastwood for years....... yet somehow played in 2024 for eastwood in round 10 and 11.

Tim Anstee has signed with LA in the MLR

 

[the coach]

Randwick have lost at least 10 of last year's first grade team:
Ben Sugars, Ben Houston, Nick Chan, Dec Leaney and Matias Jensen to LA MLR
Jayden Blake to Australian 7s
Mitch Short to Chicago Hounds MLR
Mitch Watts to Western Force
Kurtley Beal resigned by Western Force
plus James Hendren to Waratahs

Have I missed any

 

[Done that]

Most/all of these guys are potentially available later in the season.

 

[wamberal99]

Have I missed any

Don'r worry, somebody will manage to find some somewhere.

 

[noknowledgeatall]

So some bloke will work his ass off all season only to be told to move aside for a bloke who walked away for other spoils.

Here in is the problem with Aussie Rugby. We are not a destination operation that has blokes wanting to fight hard for the spoils available, probably because we don't have enough spoils.