Randwick beat Northern Suburbs in a thrilling final at Leichhardt oval to end another fascinating Shute Shield season.

But before we turn our attention to 2024, Rugby News has pulled together a team of the year from the season past.

To be eligible to be nominated for the Shute Shield team of the year, players must have polled at last 7 Catchpole Medal votes in 2023, as voted by Shute Shield coaches after each regular season match or scored eight or more tries this in the regular season.

Fans were then given a chance to vote for their favourite player and several thousand did.

Here is the backline pack for the 2023 Shute Shield Team of the Year.

Scrumhalf: Nick Duffy – Northern Suburbs (30%)

Notable Mentions: Rilloy Suesue (Western Sydney) & Connor Tupai (Randwick) 

Nick Duffy – Northern Suburbs

A stint with the Western Force last summer had Duffy in top shape heading into the 2023 season and he got better with every match he played right through to the grand final.

Flyhalf: Jude Gibbs – Northern Suburbs (45%)

Notable Mentions: Andrew Deegan (Randwick), Reece Suesue (Western Sydney) &Tane Edmed (Eastwood)

Jude Gibbs – Northern Suburbs

The signing of the season, Gibbs proved he is one of the best young playmakers in the country as he led Norths to the grand final. He was also the competition’s top point scorer, 40 points clear of his nearest rival.

Centres: Ofa Manuofetoa – Manly (37%) & Ben Pollack – Gordon (26%)

Notable Mentions: Tyson Davis (Warringah) & Jackson Ropata (Southern Districts)

Ofa Manuofetoa – Manly

When Ofa Manuofetoa got Manly over the advantage line, Manly played well and typically won. In the top five for running metres and total carries and in the top 10 for offloads, Manuofetoa was a standout this season.

Ben Pollack – Gordon

Gordon centre Ben Pollack made the Stags No.13 jersey his own this year. He scored seven tries this season and ranked highly for running metres, line breaks and carries.

Wingers: Callum Sirker – West Harbour (47%) & Issac Ulberg – Hunter (27%)

Notable Mentions: Seb Cameron (Northern Suburbs) & Yool Yool (Manly)

Callum Sirker – West Harbour

The competition’s top scoring outside back, English recruit Callum Sirker scored 12 five pointers for the Pirates and caused headaches for opposition defences all season.

Issac Ulberg – Hunter

Super consistent Hunter outside back Issac Ulberg played almost every minute of the Wildfires 2023 regular season and crossed for eight tries in the process.

Fullback: Ben Dowling – Randwick (26%)

Notable Mentions: Otu Mausia (Western Sydney) & Ben Marr (Warringah)

Ben Dowling – Randwick

Second behind Yool Yool for most line breaks in the competition, Randwick fullback Ben Dowling was electric all season and showed why he’s so highly rated by the Waratahs.