Two of the competition's oldest clubs, Easts and Norths, face off at Leichhardt Oval this Saturday in another historic conclusion to the Charter Hall Shute Shield season.
Despite both Shute Shield clubs being established in 1900, the 2024 Grand Final will be the first time Easts and Norths have featured in the season's final game.
For the Beasties, Saturday’s encounter marks their first Grand Final since a 34-11 loss to Sydney Uni in 2007. For the Shoremen, their Grand Final memories are far more recent, suffering a dramatic 2-point loss to Randwick in last year's decider.
Norths will be hopeful that recent Grand Final experience serves as extra motivation at Leichhardt Oval tomorrow afternoon. The club has been tremendously consistent under coach Zak Beer, earning the minor premiership in 2022 before being a win away the following season.
Victory on Saturday would be just reward for Northern Suburbs' recent consistency within the competition, however, standing between them and Shute Shield glory is the strongest club throughout 2024 and an outfit searching for a first premiership since 1969.
Having finished tenth in 2023, East’s rise under Ben Batger this season has been monumental. After finishing atop the Shute Shield table, the Beasties defeated Manly in the Semi-Finals, before a dramatic late try at North Sydney Oval last Saturday saw them rise against a brave Warringah to claim their historic Grand Final birth.
The Shute Shield Grand Final caps off what is a festival of club rugby across Sydney, with all grade and colt finals to play out this weekend at Leichhardt Oval and Coogee Oval.
In the Colin Caird Shield (Second Grade), East take on Manly following each side's dominant Elimination Final displays last weekend. Despite the Beasties taking home the minor premiership, it was Manly who prevailed 46-26 in the side's semi-final encounter at Woollahra Oval and carry the momentum into Saturday’s decider.
The Henderson Shield (Third Grade) Grand Final sees Easts square up against rivals Randwick. Each side comprehensively dispatched their elimination finals opponents, scoring over 50 points en route to the final this weekend. When they last met back in Round 12, it was Easts who earned a comfortable 49-14 victory at Woollahra Oval.
Shute Shield finalists Easts and Norths will face each other twice on Saturday, with the clubs also lining up in the Henderson Cup (Fourth Grade) Grand Final.
Having finished first and second respectively following the regular season, Saturday’s final is just reward for consistency throughout 2024. It’ll be the team's first encounter since May when Easts earned a narrow 5-point victory over the Shoremen at Woollahra Oval.
Sunday sees Coogee Oval play host to all three Colts Grand Finals. In the W McMahon Shield (First Grade), Easts and Gordon face off following hard-fought elimination final victories last weekend. Both teams carry dominant form into Saturday’s clash, with Gordon’s last defeat coming back in Round 14 against their Grand Final opponents.
The Shell Trophy (Second Grade) Grand Final sees Sydney University and Randwick clash for the 2024 premiership. The two teams last met way back in Round Three of the season, with the Students earning a hard-fought 36-31 victory at home.
In the Bill Simpson Shield (Third Grade) Grand Final, Easts take on Sydney University following dominant seasons for both clubs.
Having each lost only matches during the regular season, Easts pipped their finals opponents due to the Student's two drawn fixtures. When the two sides last met, it was Easts who walked away victors following a 26-14 win at Sydney University Oval.
Don’t miss out on any of the action this weekend - secure your Grand Final tickets for all Grades Here
Easts v Norths - Leichhardt Oval, 31 August 2:45pm
Colin Caird Shield (Second Grade) - Grand Final
Easts v Manly - Leichhardt Oval, 31 August 12:30pm
Henderson Shield (Third Grade) - Grand Final
Easts v Randwick - Leichhardt Oval, 31 August 10:30am
Henderson Cup (Fourth Grade) - Grand Final
Easts v Norths - Leichhardt Oval, 31 August 8:40am
W McMahon Shield (First Grade Colts) - Grand Final
Easts v Gordon - Coogee Oval, 1 September 2:45pm
Shell Trophy (Second Grade Colts) - Grand Final
Sydney Uni v Randwick - Coogee Oval, 1 September 12:55pm
Bill Simpson Trophy (Third Grade Colts) - Grand Final
Easts v Sydney Uni - Coogee Oval, 1 September 11:15am
