By Jon Geddes

EASTERN Suburbs players have adopted a siege-like mentality as the team strives to end a 55-year Shute Shield drought in Saturday’s massive grand final against Northern Suburbs at Leichhardt Oval.

The Beasties found themselves front and centre of drama in the second half of this season after a breach of the SRU player point cap system saw the first grade side docked five competition points and the club fined $100.

Easts still won the minor premiership and have made the grand final in six grades this weekend.

But that achievement has been overshadowed, rightly or wrongly, by the controversy and animosity from rivals. The hostility on social media has not let up.

“No one wants to see us win, that’s sort of what it comes down to,” Easts skipper Josh Bokser told Rugby News.

“It’s a good thing for a lot of us, especially a group like this who come from everywhere all over the world.

“Every single one of them is my brother now, so we’ll do it for each other.”