Bu Mark Cashman

Now I know there is still plenty of water to flow under the Shute Shield bridge between now and grand final day but I’m going early with try of the year.

It has to go with that sensational effort from Northern Suburbs scrumhalf Nick Duffy last weekend at North Sydney Oval when he got more air in the corner than Michael Jordan at his absolute best.

Duffy’s “hang time” had to be seen to be believed and the try came at a critical time in the match against Sydney Uni.

Others did play a role in this cracker with winger Ratu Tagive managing to get on the outside of the Uni defence before handing it over to Brodie Leber who made ground and backhanded it in field for Duffy to do his stuff.

I can faithfully report that Around The Traps did score in that corner once during his playing career but it was far less spectacular – and it took 18 years for it to happen.

There has been some real crackers this year but this one had something special about it!

******

Our brave leader on the ShuteCast podcast Anthony Bergelin had the honour of hosting the reunion luncheon of the 1983 Manly premiership side before last weekend’s game against Randwick at the Village Green.

Alan Jones of course was invited to have his say to the gathering at the Manly Club and as ‘Bergo’ told Around The Traps it was one of his easier gigs.

“I think I got in two questions . . . max,” Bergelin said of the arduous task he was handed.

It was a great afternoon and brought together Manly’s lower grade premiership sides of the early 1980s.

Jones was genuinely emotional through the afternoon and I am sure that you will see him bob up from time to time at Marlins games as the season matures.

Shame the first grade score didn’t end up the same as it did in 1983 – 12-10.

******

Big weekend for one of the great contributors to our game in Sydney with Eastern Suburbs’ utility back Alex King celebrating his 100th grade game at Woollahra Oval this weekend.

King has done it all at the Beasties playing Colts and numerous grades throughout his decade long stint at the club and the fact that it took 10 years to get a crack in the top grade says it all about this man.

“With his unwavering dedication, ‘Kingy’ has led the club through countless battles including, international tours, the ups and downs of a season, the glory and heartbreak of finals footy, and the odd Ladies Day,” the club said in a statement on their socials earlier this week.

Enjoy the day ‘Kingy’ a true Beasties Legend!

******

Woodies first grade coach Ben Batger announced during the week that he would not be steering the ship next year.

The Shute Shield has been better for Batger’s involvement right from the time he made his first grade debut after a stellar schoolboy career.

Batger’s sporting career took him overseas at different times to New Zealand and Italy but you knew that if he was in Sydney and up for a game of footy you would see him at TG Millner.

He did a coaching apprenticeship under John Manenti and as a journalist you knew that he would always came out hard for his players – just like he did at different times when it appeared Tane Edmed was being overlooked a couple of years back.

Batger was famous for the good old blow up in the dressing room if he thought that the effort wasn’t there and he will be missed.

******

Very interesting interview with incoming Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh on Stan Sport earlier this week about where the community and professional game should connect.

Waugh, talking to Karl Stefanovic at the same place where he won the meat raffle a number weeks back, North Sydney Oval, said he wants to see the pro stars mixing it with the clubbies more regularly.

“We need to go back into the community and put our professional players back into club Rugby,” Waugh observed.

“And then drag people back to the professional game – but as I said people want the Wallabies, people want the professional game to do well, but as long as it’s connected to the community.

“But as I have said Rugby Australia doesn’t own the game the community owns the game.”

******

The Warringah Rats will honour one their greats when they take on Gordon at Pittwater Rugby Park at the weekend.

Grant ‘Grunter’ Andrews will be presented with life membership at halftime of the first grade game.

Andrews steered the Rats to some success after he headed down to the beaches after playing 99 Shute Shield games at Gordon, winning the Herald Cup for the best player in the Sydney competition in 1978 and 1979.

And here’s a stat that to astound about the career of ‘Grunter’ that Rugby News’ Jon Geddes shared with Around The Traps.

In his nine years of first grade Andrews kicked a massive 90 field goals.

And once he was finished with the playing he delved into coaching and helped the Colts to a premiership before moving on to mentor the Shute Shield side.

It’s a honour well deserved and as one Warringah annual report observed: “He led by inspiration and perspiration.”

******

Sad to hear of the passing of Andy Conway earlier this week after a lifetime devoted to the game.

Conway was one of the real lifters and a true gentleman at the old Australian Rugby Union back in the day after a distinguished career at Westpac and also had time as a player and president at the Two Blues.

He was also team manger of the Sydney side that had some success under Peter ‘Fab’ Fenton in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Conway will be missed by many and a memorial service at his home on Sunday. Details can be obtained from andyconwaymemorial@gmail.com