the coach
Bob Davidson (42)
Kellaway moved from Wicks to Norths???
Shute Shield 2025
- Thread starter Nuggetyflyhalf
- Start date
Done that
Cyril Towers (30)
The Shute Shield is usually boringly predictable, so I hope your predictions are wrong,
However, 2 of last years heavyweights, Easts & Warringah, finished 10th & 11th the year before, a breath of fresh air,
so one can only hope for something similar this season.
A point that you do contend which I have not heard evidence for ,is that the 3 teams which you predict will be last, have
had "mass turnovers".
As with all clubs each year, there are comings & goings, but my information is that this is no more the case for these 3, than
for any of the other clubs. In fact, according to their social pages , the 2 Blues would seem to have had a big influx of players,
& few departures?
Last edited:
The Ghost of Raelene
Michael Lynagh (62)
Two Blues will stun a couple of sides like Uni at Uni but not win consistently enough to break into the finals.
Caputo
Ted Thorn (20)
Possibly not this year as Brumbies players and Academy have been allocated and played JID since Jake White era. This may change by RA directive to placate vocal minority. Also probably want to prepare for B&IL. It has worked well for Academy players to be playing 1st Grade.
Whilst Force have allocated both Super Rugby and Academy players out to Fortescue Cup.
Caputo
Ted Thorn (20)
I disagree with this thought bubble in that most of the Force Academy players would not be playing 1st grade and wouldn't help their player development.
Jake White made the change to exclude Brumby Super Rugby players from playing for Shute Shield and play John I Dent Cup instead due to the loss of players from Thurs lunch to Mon morning as they needed to drive to Sydney for Thu night Training.
Yes the Shute Shield is a higher standard to Fortescue Premier Grade but the Super Rugby and Academy players in the local competition helps build the standard. Also for the rest of the competition 'You can't be what you can't see'.
Here are some examples outside the Sydney /Brisbane bubble:
Massimo De Lutiis signed for Brumbies EDS in 2022 and played JID for West Lions and made a mark with the Australian Under 20 and returned to the Reds as a developed Tight Head Prop.
Would Finn Baxter Sydney University be better placed playing in the JID Cup where he would be likely playing 1st Grade against seasoned players and developing in Brumby Academy then Shute Shield.
WA kids have represented other nations current All Black Tamati Williams & Jake Ball Wales are 2 examples.
There seems to be a good schedule for Academy leading to Under 20's with Under 19 comp during Sep/Oct and Under 20 comp Mar leading into Under 20 camps.
How many of these academy players would be Shute Shield regulars
westernforce.rugby
Jake White made the change to exclude Brumby Super Rugby players from playing for Shute Shield and play John I Dent Cup instead due to the loss of players from Thurs lunch to Mon morning as they needed to drive to Sydney for Thu night Training.
Yes the Shute Shield is a higher standard to Fortescue Premier Grade but the Super Rugby and Academy players in the local competition helps build the standard. Also for the rest of the competition 'You can't be what you can't see'.
Here are some examples outside the Sydney /Brisbane bubble:
Massimo De Lutiis signed for Brumbies EDS in 2022 and played JID for West Lions and made a mark with the Australian Under 20 and returned to the Reds as a developed Tight Head Prop.
Would Finn Baxter Sydney University be better placed playing in the JID Cup where he would be likely playing 1st Grade against seasoned players and developing in Brumby Academy then Shute Shield.
WA kids have represented other nations current All Black Tamati Williams & Jake Ball Wales are 2 examples.
There seems to be a good schedule for Academy leading to Under 20's with Under 19 comp during Sep/Oct and Under 20 comp Mar leading into Under 20 camps.
How many of these academy players would be Shute Shield regulars
Western Force Fortescue Academy squad named for 2025
westernforce.rugby
Last edited:
The Ghost of Raelene
Michael Lynagh (62)
I agree with the principle but the JID would be a higher standard than the WA Prem Grade and the top sides are 1st grade standard to Syd and Bris. De Lutiis was always destined to be on the fast track. He was physically ready at a young age which is half the battle. Finn just needs a gym access and a chicken shop account tab and he'll be sweet
I can understand wanting to build a comp but we also need to build the players for our franchises sake. Players move as well so banking on a guy like Fakafunua to push the comp is a nice thought but likely only a one season thing before he's not seen by Club Rugby again. Ronan Leahy would have got more IMO from playing for Syd Uni along side of guys like Clunies-Ross and against former/fringe Super Rugby players like Nick Chan than he would in WA.
I guess a you have to trust Cron and what he thinks. If he thinks a guy is likely to feature for the Force you may keep them as you want them at every training and under the eyes but if they are a bit more extended group then send them off to develop.
I can understand wanting to build a comp but we also need to build the players for our franchises sake. Players move as well so banking on a guy like Fakafunua to push the comp is a nice thought but likely only a one season thing before he's not seen by Club Rugby again. Ronan Leahy would have got more IMO from playing for Syd Uni along side of guys like Clunies-Ross and against former/fringe Super Rugby players like Nick Chan than he would in WA.
I guess a you have to trust Cron and what he thinks. If he thinks a guy is likely to feature for the Force you may keep them as you want them at every training and under the eyes but if they are a bit more extended group then send them off to develop.
Jimmy_Crouch
Peter Johnson (47)
Two completely different interests at play. The Force organisation with a long term view want to improve the standard of the FPG. The players want what is best for their personal development and the coach has a foot in both camps (due to supporting their employer but understanding they might not be there to see the results and also wanting quality players).
I think you manage it via a case by case scenario but with a baseline of Super Rugby contracted players have the option (to play in QPR or SS) but academy players play in FPG.
Done that
Cyril Towers (30)
"How many pf these academy player would be Shute Shield regulars?"
How many of them wouldn't be?
Do you know?
We all get what WF are aiming to do & why.
I don't know enough about the WF locals to comment, but some of the Sydney/ACT players
may well be good enough to play first grade on a regular basis.
For example, just off the top of my head. I can identify one of the academy players who
already played SS on a regular basis last year, & some games the year before.
Would he be better off playing in the FPG or coming back to the SS?
How many of them wouldn't be?
Do you know?
We all get what WF are aiming to do & why.
I don't know enough about the WF locals to comment, but some of the Sydney/ACT players
may well be good enough to play first grade on a regular basis.
For example, just off the top of my head. I can identify one of the academy players who
already played SS on a regular basis last year, & some games the year before.
Would he be better off playing in the FPG or coming back to the SS?
Last edited:
noknowledgeatall
Sydney Middleton (9)
Anyone get out to any of the trails being played last week end? Any news or stories developing from them?
Steve_Grey
Billy Sheehan (19)
Australian Club Championship this weekend in Brisbane - looking for Easts Squad list.
HarryElite
Sydney Middleton (9)
uni beat canberra royals
warringah beat gordon
parramatta beat manly
easts 3rd/4ths beat blue mountains
Steve_Grey
Billy Sheehan (19)
Found on Instagram - Heaven @2 and Bowen @10. Haven't seen the Brothers Squad (not that it would mean much to me).
Four of last year's Easts Winning Colts promoted to 1st Grade - Nicolle, Dickens, Serfontein and Bassingthwaighte.
Parra u sure