By Mark Cashman

It’s the little things that are the measure of a man and Around The Traps heard a touching story this week about Michael Hooper as he heads towards what looks like his final couple of games in Australia.

My ShuteCast boss Anthony Bergelin has known the Hooper family for many, many years and he recently fielded a call from a dad of a young Manly junior.

The youngster was keen to get some feedback and information about the best way to go about leading a side with the NSW State Championship just around the corner.

Bergelin said he would ask Hooper if he could do that, no promises as it’s a request that probably lobs on to the Waratah and Wallaby’s plate numerous times every week of the footy season.

Well within 24 hours the youngsters dad was back on the phone to ‘Bergo’ to tell that not only had Hooper got in touch but spoke to the aspiring captain for 30-plus minutes.

Yes it’s the little things that add up to true greatness!

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The passing of Tina Turner last week wasn’t going to go without ceremony at Pittwater Rugby Park last weekend when Warringah took on Northern Suburbs.

It was Ladies Day at Rat Park and you knew that something special was planned when the ground announcer said that some sort of Tina Turner tribute was planned during the halftime break.

Well the ladies didn’t disappoint and the function marquee at the northern end of the ground emptied out at the 40-minute mark and the good old Nutbush City Limits line dance was rolled out.

From where Around The Traps was sitting in the safety of the western side grandstand they looked like they did a pretty good job.

Closer views can be seen on the club socials!

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The Sio family has been an integral part of the game here in Australia since dad David first came to Australia with his family to take up an opportunity with Northern Suburbs in the 1990s shortly after they were back in first division.

Son Scott is a Brumbies and Wallaby great while Patrick was a great contributor for many years at Eastwood.

Daughter Ana Lise wasn’t going to be left out of the fun and has played for the NSW women’s side and this week turned out for the Manusina XV team on the Gold Coast.

Dad David played for Manu Samoa and was an integral part of their success at the 1991 Rugby World Cup.

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The Two Blues are emerging as the real entertainers of the Shute Shield and they didn’t fail to disappoint in their big win over Eastern Suburbs last weekend at Woollahara Oval.

Rilloy Suesue was on fire in the No.9 jersey with his hat-trick of tries against the Beasties and you just get the feeling that a lot of things are coming together at the right time for the Two Blues.

Last year they were in a similar position but their English imports were called back for pre-season training at the Sale Sharks and things fell apart from there.

So far in 2023 they have accumulated 11 bonus points, the most of any team, which shows that even when they are losing they are not too far away from the mark.

Sitiveni Moceidreke is up there with the list of top try scorers in the Shute Shield with six with the rolling maul kings Andrew Tula (Wildfires) and Thomas Maka (Gordon) heading things up with eight “meat pies” apiece.

The Two Blues have their “Back to Parra” this weekend when they play Warringah at ‘The Eric’ which will be highlighted by the contest for the Noddy Sawtell Cup.

The perpetual trophy, traditionally played between the two clubs, honours the late Rob ‘Noddy’ Sawtell, a back rower who played for both clubs, notched up 222 grade games for the Rats and 124 senior games (74 in first grade) for the Two Blues in the 1970s and 1980s.

Sawtell sadly passed away in late 2005, aged just 52.

It’s a big round before the bye and club officials are reaching out for their supporter base to get there for what is always a special day.

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The Shute Shield’s media arm post their top five tries of the week and there was a pretty hot collection of contenders after Round 9.

West Harbour got top rating with an absolute cracker against Sydney Uni that saw Callum Sirker use his speed on the outside and a chip and regather.

The Pirates have been known for their work in the forwards this season under Cameron Treloar but this try showed that there are quite a few layers to their game.

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There’s a bunch of Wallaroos putting their hand up to get some game time in the Jack Scott Cup with the O’Reilly Cup against the Black Ferns and the Pacific Four series coming up at the end of the month.

Last weekend Wallaroos scrum half Layne Morgan turned out for the Hunter Wildfires in their 22-18 victory over the Gordon Highlanders.

Itv was the first time that Morgan had been able to represent here home town.

In the past Morgan has had to travel to Sydney to get in some quality game time and her performance for the Wildfires was marked by her being named in the Wildfires “team of the week” along with the likes of Shute Shielders Donny Freeman and Morgan Innes.

The Wildfires are hosting Eastern Suburbs this weekend in Newcastle and there is a lot of excitement about the Ladies Day that is being staged.

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Things seem to be ticking over nicely at Manly so far this season – they sit in second spot on the Shute Shield ladder and head to Chatswood Oval for a series of games that will have a major impact on where the club championship heads with the second half of the season looming.

Gordon are leading the pack with 1342 points with the Marlins not far away on 1303 while perennial club championship winner Sydney Uni are back in fifth spot with 1201 points.

The club championship doesn’t get too many big headlines but it’s a pretty good indicator of the health of any club.

While we are at the Village Green Manly president Cameron Douglas is on the hunt for more supporters to join their Red and Blue Crew, a tax deductible foundation that helps fund the many and varied things that a Rugby club does on so many levels.

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Bit of a shout out to Connor Vest who is back in Brisbane this weekend after fracturing his neck in the Queensland Reds game against the Highlanders in Dunedin.

Vest was part of Northern Suburbs 2016 Shute Shield victory under Simon Cron and has in recent times been a regular starter at the Reds.

We’re not sure if footy is part of his immediate future but Vest is up and about, pain free and able to post stuff on his socials.