By MARK CASHMAN

Eastern Suburbs can look back on their 2021 Shute Shield season with a feeling of what could have been.

After 10 rounds the Beasties were looking pretty impressive and with some pretty handy troops on their way back from Super Rugby they were part of any conversation about who would challenge the Sydney Uni juggernaut.

The pandemic brought that all to a halt and their impressive playing group, not surprisingly, has taken up offers around the world.