We’re past the halfway point of the Shute Shield season and are starting to get a better idea of what some of the new faces at each club has to offer.

Here are 10 recruits that could win their club a premiership in early September:

Sydney Uni – Henry Clunies-Ross

Not exactly a recruit, Clunies-Ross has played a crucial role for the Students since returning from a stint in France earlier this season. The former Waratahs squad member and former Shute Shield rookie of the year is still only 24, but is the most experienced head in a young, talented Sydney Uni backline. His guidance from the back will be crucial in the coming months.

Northern Suburbs – Sam Giltrap

Norths fullback Sam Giltrap has been impressive in his first year in the Shute Shield. The Ballina junior has played the last few seasons with Vikings in Canberra and has barely put a foot wrong since heading to North Sydney Oval.

Manly – Robbie Coleman

While the former Brumby is still finding his feet in the Shute Shield after a stint in France, it’s hard to ignore the impact the dynamic utility back could have at the back end of this season. Coleman is electric on his feet and adds even more experience to a side that knows what it’s like to play big matches in August.

Eastwood – Mick Snowden

The prodigal son returned to TG Millner after spending two seasons in Melbourne with the Rebels and made his Waratahs debut earlier this year. Snowden’s class has been evident all season and has helped turn the Woodies into a genuine premiership threat.

Warringah – Potu Leavasa

The Rats have dragged some serious talent to the Northern Beaches this year, but Potu Leavasa
gets the nod from us because his recruitment story is just too good. 120kg Samoan forward Leavasa sat on a park bench and watched Warringah train earlier this year. He caught coach Darren Coleman’s eye, was invited to join in and has since played himself into a starting Warringah first grade jersey.

West Harbour – Sam Malcolm

Sam Malcolm turned up at Concord and was asked to fill the void left by the competition’s most valuable player last year. While he may not be quite replicating Taylor Adam’s 2017 efforts, he has helped West Harbour turn into a more organised yet still destructive machine.

Eastern Suburbs – Ofa Fainga’anuku, Jean-Charles Fidinde, Andi Lawrence

Easts dragged former Beastie Ofa Fainga’anuku back from France to bolster their front row stocks and have added Fidinde from France and Lawrence from England, via Perth, since. Easts’ scrum took a while to get going but has improved of late. If these three hold their own, a Waratahs stacked Beasties outfit will look seriously dangerous come finals time.

Southern Districts – Christian Kagiassis

If Southern Districts go on to compete at the pointy end of this season, they’ll have Christian Kagiassis to thank. The former Sydney Uni winger turned fullback kicked a crucial match winning penalty goal against Randwick last week in a match the Rebels couldn’t afford to lose.

Photo: JB Photography