Shute Shield grand final: Coach’s tip for 2025 crown, Warringah, Easts result deep dive, history
This Shute Shield coach reckons it will be close but one club has the jump - and very special player - to win the famous club rugby comp on Saturday. Warringah and Easts grand final deep dive.
This Shute Shield coach reckons the 2005 Shute Shield grand final will be closer than expected but is backing the star power and might of Easts to get the job done against Warringah on Saturday.
Scott Coleman, whose Hunter Wildfires side were beaten by Warringah in the semi-finals, expects the match to be “closer than people think’’ and not the Easts runaway some have forecast.
“I think the two best teams have made it through. The two who were the best at the start and at the finish, and that’s not always the case,’’ said Coleman who warned of the danger of Warringah’s ability to fight to the end of every match.
“But picking it, I have to say Easts, they have a lot of firepower and a very good ad lib game.
“Their playing roster, their depth, they are a real juggernaut at the moment.’’
He also believes they have the player of the competition to weave magic..
“Teddy Wilson, he’s next level, he’s the one to watch,’’ Coleman said.
“He’s one of those players who comes back to Shute Shield and doesn’t drop, he lifts to another level.’’
Warringah’s season deep dive
* Warringah finished the regular season in second place on the ladder with 69 points.
* Their pathway to the grand final saw them defeat the Wildfires 43-27 in the semis and then beat Norths 38-22 in the preliminary final.
* Their highest score was 52 points, achieved twice against West Harbour in Round 2 (52-0) and against Souths in Round 6 (52-10)
* Their lowest score was 18 points against Gordon in Round 7.
* After an initial loss, Warringah went on a six-match winning streak from Round 2 to Round 7.
* They later achieved a five-match winning streak from Round 11 to Round 15.
* Their biggest loss was against Easts when their grand final opponents beat them 45-34 - an 11-point difference.
* In matches against Easts they were pipped 31-32 in Round 8 and defeated 34-45 in Round 16.
Easts’ season deep dive
* Easts finished the regular season as minor premiers and with 79 points.
* Their path to the grand final saw them defeat Randwick 40-19 in the semi-final and Eastwood 33-19 in the preliminary final.
* Their highest score was in round 5 with their 66-5 win over Manly.
* Their lowest score in a match they won was 15 points against the Wildfires in Round 2.
* Easts started the season with a three-match winning streak and then embarked on a 13 game run from round 5 to round 17.
* Their most convincing loss was to Gordon, 17-35.
* In matches against Warringah they won 32-31 victory in Round 8 and 45-34 in Round 16.
* Their coach Ben Batger was named the 2025 Shute Shield Coach of the Year.
SYDNEY RUGBY UNION GRADE GRAND FINALS ON SATURDAY
1st grade: Easts v Warringah Leichhardt Oval 3:15pm
2nd grade: Manly v Eastwood Leichhardt Oval 1pm
More Coverage
3rd grade: Easts v Sydney Uni Leichhardt Oval 11am
4th grade: Manly v Easts Leichhardt Oval, 9:15am
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Originally published as Shute Shield grand final: Coach’s tip for 2025 crown, Warringah, Easts result deep dive, history
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