We’re into Round Nine of the Shute Shield and as always the phone has been ringing hot with all the news and views from the greatest club competition in Australia. Here’s what we are hearing:

Words: MARK CASHMAN

There’s always lots of emotion on derby day when Manly take on Warringah but none more so when it’s Lachie Ward Memorial Day.

It’s been four years since Lachie passed away after playing a lower grade game for the Rats against Gordon and he is in everyone’s heart at Rat Park.

Lachie’s brother Sam will be playing for the Rats in the lower grades on Saturday after he came out of retirement with a warm-up game last weekend against Gordon.

That game featured a try by ‘Slamming Sam’ down the left edge at Chatswood Oval that was well worth a look.

Sam told good mate and rugby scribe JON GEDDES that it was always his plan to have a trot around on this day.