The 2024 Charter Hall Shute Shield is just a few sleeps away and on Wednesday, Charter Hall, Sydney Rugby Union and representatives of the 12 Shute Shield clubs came together at North Sydney Oval to officially launch this year’s competition.
Here’s what a few of them had to say.
What they said…
"In the last three years, 256 players have progressed from the Shute Shield to play professional rugby,” Garling said.
“We’re really proud of the fact that our competition helps develop so many professional rugby players but we’d like to see Rugby Australia work closely with the Shute Shield clubs to ensure there is a pathway available so players don’t have to go overseas to play at the next level.”
“Charter Hall are very proud to move into our seventh year partnering with the Shute Shield,” Harrison said.
"While we enjoy watching the players on the field, we’d also like to provide mentoring and employment opportunities to any Shute Shield players interested in the commercial real estate industry.”
“Charter Hall is now the largest owner of commercial real estate in Australia but like Shute Shield sides, we started as a young business which was run by young people who were passionate and worked well as a team and that’s what helped us grow into the business that we are today.”
“We’ve had a great offseason and have had a lot of numbers turn up at the club on the back of all the hard work last year,” Treloar said.
“We’re actually looking to field a fifth grade side this weekend, which is pretty remarkable considering the club was down to two grade and one colts’ side just a few years ago.”
“We took a lot of lessons out of last year’s grand final loss and at our preseason camp, we actually sat together and reviewed the match,” Beer said.
“It was tough, but we identified some things that we could have done better from a tactical and technical perspective.”
"That was last year though and you don’t really take momentum from one season into another. It’s all ahead of us now.”
“We started this time last year trying to win the Shute Shield and we’re in the same position now ahead of this season. I don't think it really matters if we are hunting or being hunted,” Hoiles said.
"It’s really hard to know what to expect from most teams at this point of the season. We’ve played some tough trials against Brothers up in Queensland and another tough trial against Eastwood.
“We’ve got eight players from last year’s matchday 23 who have gone on to play professionally in different places around the world.
“That creates opportunities for others that missed out on playing in a grand final in second grade last year and others who won a premiership in third and fourth grade.”
“I’ve been a bit of a journeyman over my rugby career but I’m really excited to be back playing in the Shute Shield,” Felefa said.
“Last time I played in the Shute Shield, it gave me the opportunity to go on and play overseas and pursue my dream and I’m really thankful of that.
“I’d keep an eye on Reece and Rilloy Suesue, our two playmakers. They are key for us and will drive us around the park this season.”
“I’ve been at Eastwood since I was 10-years old and I’ve always dreamed of playing at TG, let alone to captain of the side, it’s a dream,” Turner said.
“I had an ACL injury in 2023 so I haven’t played since the semi final in 2022. I’m itching to get out there again.
"We’ve got a young, exciting playing group and there’s a lot of good energy around the place leading into round one.”
“It’s been good. (New coach) Joshy (Holmes) has done a great job over summer. He’s a lot like he was as a player - loud, energetic and a bit of a pest some times,” Marr joked.
"We’ve got a new coaching group and a lot of new players at the club, plus some talented young guys pushing up from last year’s colts premiership side.”
