For the second straight year, Norths fell heartbreakingly short of winning the final game of the season.

But a slow start against a red-hot Eastern Suburbs side cost the Shoremen, leaving this current playing group and coach Zak Beer still chasing an illusive premiership.

Overview with Zak Beer:

“Every season is its own journey, we’ve finished with the same result back to back now,” Beer reflected.

“We were one of the final two teams at Leichhardt Oval at the end of the year, which is a great accomplishment for the club and everyone involved.

“But we do this to win premierships, so we were obviously disappointed with the result.

“The boys were shattered, as was everyone involved with the club, particularly with how close we came at the end there.

“But like every game, you go back and review it and there were moments where we let Easts get too much momentum in the first half.

“As a whole, the players can be, and they are, proud of the work they put in to represent the club and I think anyone who watched that game would have seen what this team and this club is about.

“So while they’re disappointed to not bring the Shute Shield home, I think there was a little bit of solace in terms of how we played and the season, amongst all the adversity, we were able to push through and get there once again.

“We played against nine Super Rugby players in that final and whilst being contracted doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re more talented than other players, you could see in that first half the sheer size of the guys training in a professional program, seven days a week.

“Tactically we had a few areas where we wanted to expose Easts and unfortunately we didn’t execute those until the second half.

“After half-time, I think our cohesion took control and we opened right up, but it was too late and too big a lead to chase down.”

What needs to happen at Norths between now and round one next year? 

“We got straight in and reviewed the year and I’ve completed one-on-ones with all the players. Overall, our retention is looking strong.

“Over this last 12 months, we’ve had seven or eight Norths’ players receive Super Rugby opportunities in some way or another, where in 2021, we had just two Norths players get a shot.

“I think that’s a really good sign for what the program’s achieving and for the club moving forward.

“Across the club, we had all four grade teams play in the finals, with fourth grade making the grand final as well.

“We’ve got some good talent coming through our colts and we’ve also had a few players who’ve reached out to come across from other clubs as well.”

Which of your players do you think can push on next season?  

“It looks like Jude Gibbs is closing in on an opportunity at the next level and that’s really well deserved. He’s been fantastic over the past two seasons and works incredibly hard on and off the field.

“Henry O’Donnell has been one of the best players in the last two grand finals and it’s great to see him coming back to the Waratahs. He’s got a really strong rugby IQ and plays with a lot of passion for the jersey.

“I’m confident he’ll do the same in a sky blue jersey and maybe even a green and gold jersey if he keeps progressing.

“Sifa Amone is also returning from Perth to the Waratahs. Sifa came through our colts system before getting signed by the Western Force.

“He’s a 22-year old tighthead prop with 15 Super Rugby caps under his belt already so he’s got tremendous upside.”

What can we expect in 2025? 

“We evolved our game quite a bit this season,” Beer told Rugby News.

“Defence and set-piece are always our foundation. Our scrum finished as one of the top two in the competition and we added new parts to our game on both sides of the ball. We’ve got some exciting new evolutions to add in over summer and will continue to bring in creative ways to pick apart the opposition.

“We’ve got a number of talented players who’ll push up from second grade in 2025 and a few others who’ve approached us laterally from other clubs and that’s only going to create more healthy competition within the group.

“We’ll build our game around the profile of our team and we aim to be right in the mix again next season.”