By Sam Ryan

At the end of another brilliant season, it’s time to pick the Shute Shield team of the year. 

It’s a difficult task and takes nothing away from the fantastic form of a lot of players who don’t appear below. 

But it’s also great recognition for the players that do, many of whom should be on the radar of professional sides in Australia and around the world. 

First up, the forward pack. 

1) Lewis Ponini – Eastern Suburbs

Now in his fourth season in the Shute Shield, 25-year old Kiwi prop Lewis Ponini shored up the Beasties scrum, which made this year’s premiership possible. Ponini also earned a Super Rugby debut in a big 12 months.

2) Wes Thomas – Warringah

Rats’ hooker Wes Thomas continued his consistent development in 2024 and led one of the most potent mauls in the competition. After playing his 100th grade game at Rat Park this year, the 26-year old would be a handy pick up for a professional side, hopefully in Australia.

3) Tristan Fuli – Gordon 

After earning his 50th first grade cap at Gordon, prop Tristan Fuli continued to develop into arguably the best big man in the competition, at set piece time and around the park.

4) Josh Bokser – Eastern Suburbs

The unsung hero of Easts’ premiership winning side, skipper and lock Josh Bokser is a hard, no-nonsense forward who was lethal at lineout time this season. Bokser stole 18 lineouts this season, seven more than the rest of the competition. 

5) Sam Thomson – Warringah

Sam Thomson earned his Super Rugby debut with the Waratahs earlier this year, then returned to Rat Park to lead a new-look Rats’ forward pack that pushed right up the ladder this season. At 30, every Shute Shield coach would kill for a Sam Thomson in their squad. 

6) Ed Timpson – Northern Suburbs

The signing of the season fell into Northern Suburbs’ lap by chance more than anything else. From Northern England, Timpson escaped his horrible homeland and originally moved to Perth to play club rugby. 

A Norths’ contact in the west quickly noticed he was too good for that level and suggested he get in touch with Zak Beer. Timpson went close to winning Norths the premiership off his own back in the second half of this year’s decider. 

7) Sam Allsopp – Sydney Uni

In his first season in grade, 20-year old Sam Allsopp was a shining light for the Students in 2024 and was named the Shute Shield’s rookie of the year. 

Allsopp shifted from No.8 to the side of the scrum this year and physically dominated players much bigger and older than him consistently in 2024. 

8) Milan Basson – Gordon

On the back of another brilliant Shute Shield season, Milan Basson is now more than capable of playing professional rugby and from all reports, is tidying things up away from rugby to give it a good crack in 2025. A standout in every game he plays, Basson could go to a new level in a professional environment. 

Keep an eye out for the backline of the Shute Shield team of the year, announced later this week!