A young Shore first XV side took a massive step forward last season but struggled at times to close out tight matches.

A number of players from last year’s side are back for a second crack this season and coach Angus Sinclair is confident his side will be right in the mix again.

Overview with Angus Sinclair: 

“We’re a long way ahead of where we were at this point last year,” Sinclair, a Shute Shield winning flyhalf at Northern Suburbs, told Rugby News.

“We only played three trial games last year and we were underprepared heading in to round one as a result.

“This year, we started scrimmages earlier and started playing trials earlier to try and build a bit more cohesion before the season starts.

“We’ve still got work to do, but I think we’re in a good spot at the moment.

“We started with a training scrimmage against Knox at the end of term one. We then played 40 minutes against Waverley and both of those sessions were really productive and a great way to start the year.

“We had a trial against Daramalan from Canberra cancelled due to weather, then we travelled up to Lake Ainsworth at Lennox Head for our camp.

“Lake Ainsworth is where the Fijian Drua were based during Covid and the facilities they have built are fantastic, plus you’re right on the beach. We played a trial against TSS (The Southport School) at the end of the week. Everything was great, we’ll definitely be heading back up there.

“We also played a trial against Oakhill at North Sydney Oval after the Norths v Randwick Shute Shield game. The boys really enjoyed that experience and were up for the game.

“There was plenty of aggression and physicality in that trial because I think both sides were pretty pumped to be playing under lights on a big field and I think that was a good way to prepare for round one.

“Last year, we were competitive, especially at home, and probably could have won two or three more games than we did.

“But we learnt from that and a lot of the players from last year are back again, who will be better for the experiences of last season.”

What style of rugby will we see from Shore this season?

“We’ll look to play a similar style to last year. Most schoolboy teams like to throw the footy around and we’ll be the same.

“That’s one of the great things about schoolboy rugby and the reason why so many people love to watch it.

“But it also has to be weather dependent. At the moment, it’s really wet and if that’s the case, we’ve got to be able to play that tight, power game and then kick well to control territory.”

2024 Squad: 

“All eight players in our starting forward pack this year are in year 12 and I think that is going to be a big advantage,” the coach said.

“They’ve played together all the way through at Shore, plus they are a year older than they were last year and have developed physically because of that. They are also mentally tougher on the back of their experiences from last year.

“We’ve also got some quick and exciting backs and if the forwards give them a good platform, I think they’ll create plenty of opportunities.

“We had three players in the NSW U18s side earlier this year who form our leadership group. Our captain Marshall Le Maitre was fantastic last season and in the rep games earlier in the year and I’m excited to see what he can do this year.

“Ed Baxter at lock had the best game I’ve seen him play last week and is a great leader in our forward pack.

“Then we’ve got Henry Conick in the backs who is a great asset at No.12. He can ball play and carry strongly as well.”

What are you expecting from the season ahead? 

“I’m really not sure at this point if I’m being perfectly honest,” Sinclair said.

“I don’t think there will be one dominant team like there was last year. Kings were far and away the best side in 2023. They were really well coached and deserved to win the premiership.

“But this year, I don’t think you can pick out one team like that. Every team looks strong on paper and I think there are going to be a lot of close games throughout the season.”