By MARK CASHMAN

Northern Suburbs have brought Waratahs squad member Jack Whetton and former national sevens star Brodie Leber into their side to take on Gordon for the big North Shore derby at North Sydney Oval on Saturday.

Both Whetton and Leber have been coming off the bench in the first couple of rounds of the Shute Shield competition but Norths coach Zak Beer has pulled the trigger on the big duo this week to do a job at the front end of this fascinating encounter.

Leber has been particularly impressive and adds size and great leg speed to the Shoremen’s running game in tight.

Norths were happy with the way that they ground out the win over the Hunter Wildfires in Newcastle last weekend but are expecting things to dial up a few points against the Highlanders.

Gordon have made a couple of changes to their pack too with Ivan Felupea’i and Robbie Abel coming into their front row while Tom Silk will start this week in the open side breakaway position.

At Woollahra Eastern Suburbs have named Archie Gavin, the son of Wallaby and Beasties great Tim, in their back row for the battle of the east against Randwick at Coogee Oval.

Archie has come through the Beasts colts system, starting his career in the backs but working his way into the forwards.

At Randwick coach Ben McCormack has stuck with the same side that had a stuttering performance against Warringah last weekend.

McCormack is looking to get more out of the his midfield and back row to threaten the Wicks in this always willing encounter.

Ay Sydney Uni Rob Taylor has welcomed back Nick Champion De Crespigny at No.8 and Henry Robertson at scrum half for the big showdown in Mudgee against Eastwood.

The Woodies have named Mark Nawaqanitawase on the wing for this one.

The teams:

NORTHERN SUBURBS V GORDON at North Sydney Oval (4.05pm on Stan Sport)

NORTHERN SUBURBS (1-15):
 German Haefelli, James Margan, Tyler Kearns, Jeremy Burrill, Jack Whetton, Brad Hemopo, Charlie Jeavons-Fellows, Brodie Leber, Nick Duffy, Angus Sinclair, Reece, Mau’u, Harry Burey (c), Nathan Russell, James Turner, Max Burey.

GORDON (1-15):
 Ivan Felupea’i, Robbie Abel, Mokani Fuavao, Jack Margin, Ola Tauelangi, James Lough, Tom Silk, Jordan Goddard, Jacob Abel, Reece MacDonald, Alesani Pohla, Ellis Abrahams, Lucas Price, Mike Pavlakis, Ben Pollack.

RANDWICK V EASTERN SUBURBS at Coogee Oval (3.05pm on Stan Sport)

RANDWICK (1-15):
 Chris Eves, Dave Vea, Wayne Borsak, Tom Piroddi, Zac Shepherd, Ben Houston, Tom Serhon, Jamie Rickward, Mitch Short, Ben Starkey, Jackson Mohi, Kristian Jensen, Triston Reilly, Christian Yassmin, Zac Carr.

EASTERN SUBURBS (1-15):
 Faalelei Sione/Vuni Fifita, Mooli Sooaemalelagi, Kalafi Pongi, Jack Digby ©, Sione Fifita/Ire Papuni, Archie Gavin, James Donato, Dean Oakman-Hunt, Angus Fowler, Rohan Saifoloi, Blake Rixon, Nicholas Jooste, Sam Fogarty, Clay Uyen, Daniel Donato.

SYDNEY UNI V EASTWOOD at Glenn Willow Regional Sports Stadium, Mudgee (3.05pm on Stan Sport)

SYDNEY UNI (1-15):
 Tom Osborne, Declan Moore, Matt Sandell, Luke Porter, Sam Caird, Vili Cocker, Jack McCalman ©, Nick Champion De Crespigny, Henry Robertson, Ben Hughes, Eddy King, Eddie Poolman, Henry Clunies-Ross, Nathaniel Tamwoy, Tim Clements.

EASTWOOD (1-15): 
Lewis Ponini, Max Stewart, Rhys Sheriff, Charles Granger, Charlie Cale, Michael Icely, Tom Murphy, Pat Sio, Matt Gonzalez, Chris Bell, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Enoka Muliufi, Devan Stolz, Fabian Goodall, Harry Wilson.

SOUTHS V WARRINGAH at Forshaw Rugby Park (3.05pm on Stan Sport)

SOUTHERN DISTRICTS (1-15):
 Blake Schoupp, Andrew Tuala, Conor Young, Phil Potgeiter, Isoa Nasilasila, Josh Bokser, Angus Allen, Nick Brown, Carlos Price, Christian Kagiassis, Ryan Menzies, Brad Armstrong, Declan Barnett, Sam Tabuatamata, Liam Moseley.

WARRINGAH (1-15):
 Rory O’Connor, Wes Thomas, Sam Needs, Andrew Davies, Hugh Margin, Alex O’Dell, Charlie McKill, Max Girdler, Harry Anderson-Brown, Dean Blore, Charlie Tupu, Tyson Davis, Ben Woollett, Esera Chee-Kam, Ben Marr (c).

WEST HARBOUR v HUNTER WILDFIRES at Drummoyne Oval (3.05pm on Stan Sport)

WEST HARBOUR (1-15):
 Sonny Satuala ©, Navi Bolatagici, Cam Betham, Otto-Louis Wendt, Visiano Vaohea, Kaliova Nacina, Shaun Dixon, Damien Flemming, Dimitry Chipizubov, Isaiah Leota, Toti Mafi, Cooper Henwood, Chris Ebeling, Justin Marsters, Kodie Drury-Hawkins.

HUNTER WILDFIRES (1-15):
 Blair Rush, Chris Ale, Nicholas Dobson, Ngaruhe Jones, Sam Leibeziet, Olajuwon Noa, Henry Stowers, Kirk Tufuga, Leon FukoFuka, Jayden Wright, Abel Atunasia, Carl Manu (c), Nate De Thierry, William Lewesi, William Feeney.

WESTERN SYDNEY TWO BLUES V PENRITH at Holroyd Sports Ground (3.05pm on Stan Sport)

PENRITH (1-15): Ezekiel Seia ,Leon Bongare, Jackson Clarke, Callum Adams, Tofua Fifita, Andrew Fiagatusa, Mathew Faoagali , Willie Tooala, Joseph Faoagali, Elia Morisio, Solo Turuva, Steven Gibson, Jale Seninawanwa, Jo Mar, Vili Cerei.

TWO BLUES (1-15):
 Nick Blacklock, Josh Havea, Paea Tapuosi, John Akauola Laula, Alan Rathbun, Riley Jacobson (c), George Prain, Tevita Vea, Sam Babb, Rory Garrett, Api Bera, Tepai Meorea, Theo Steffany, Saiyasi Ikanidrodo, John Pale.

MANLY has the bye

IMAGE: STEWART HAZELL / HUNTER WILDFIRES