After leading the competition for the best part of two months, Warringah have dropped to second spot on the Shute Shield ladder following a disappointing performance against Randwick on Sunday.
Elsewhere, Easts and Randwick secured their spots in the top three, while Manly, Norths and Gordon are all within striking distance of a lingering Sydney Uni side in seventh spot.
Warringah have been the best team in the competition all season but have dropped two of their last three matches and have given up top spot to Easts as a result.
The Rats were beaten by Manly in a tight local derby in July and were a fair way off the pace against a very good Randwick outfit at Coogee on Sunday.
Fortunately, Warringah have one of the easier runs towards the playoffs of any of the top teams.
But while that may help them secure a top two finish, and potentially the minor premiership, they won’t play another top six team before the opening week of the playoffs.
It’s going to be interesting to watch how Josh Holmes handles the next few weeks as he tries to get his team firing at the pointy end of the season.
Sydney Uni have won their last three matches and given their fans hope of finals footy.
But that could change by Saturday evening, if the Students don’t beat Manly at Manly Oval this weekend.
Uni are effectively playing knockout rugby with three rounds remaining in the regular season.
If they win this week, they’ll take a heap of confidence into a round 17 clash against Easts at Woollahra. But they need to win on Saturday against the Marlins first.
It’s hard to get a read on Northern Suburbs this year. Last year’s grand finalists won just one of six matches through the middle portion of the season, but have bounced back and claimed three wins on the run.
In saying that, Norths haven’t been overly impressive in those wins. They leaked a heap of points against Southern Districts and only just got past Eastwood last weekend.
Injuries haven’t been kind to Norths this year, but Zak Beer has arguably more depth and quality than any other club in the competition.
Norths host Hunter this week and while a win is important, Shoremen fans will probably be more eager to see a complete 80 minute performance from the perennial contenders.
Easts coach Ben Batger is heading to TG Millner this weekend, but he’ll have to walk past the home sheds and drop his kit in the visitor’s change room for the first time in his life.
The former Woodies player and coach spent close to two decades at his local club before making the move to Eastern Suburbs over summer.
How exciting is it going to be to watch a number of Shute Shield players perform on world sport’s biggest stage when the Rugby Sevens at the Olympics kicks off on Wednesday evening.
Former Eastwood coach John Manenti will coach a men’s side featuring players from Randwick, Eastern Suburbs, Eastwood, Southern Districts, Manly and West Harbour while a number of the women’s side plied their trade in Sydney club rugby as well.
