Edited by Paul Cook – All photos by AJF Photography

Sydney University head coach Tim Davidson takes us through his 23 man squad for tomorrow’s grand final showdown…

Tolu Latu: Brings a bit of experience to the front row. Tolu is incredibly strong, a gifted ball runner and a great defender. His all-round game is what we’re looking for up front because it will be a hotly contested part of the game.

Folau Fainga’a: One of the key players I’ve seen grow this year – he’s gone from strength to strength. His ball running ability and his defensive work have been incredibly impressive and he’s definitely a player to watch for the future.

Tom Robertson: He’s been in the Wallaby training camp and it’s a credit to him that he’s wanted to come back and contribute to where it all started for him. He’s a really impressive bloke, incredibly strong, another great defender and gets through plenty of work.

Lachlan Swinton: Playing well above his weight as an 18-year-old and it’s incredible that he gets to start in a grand final in his first year of 1st grade, but he deserves to be out there and doesn’t look out of place. He’s no-holds barred, gives a hundred percent in everything he does and as a coach, that’s all you can ask for.

Matt Philip: He’s grown another element to his game this year in terms of his lineout calling, his workrate around the field and how he carries the ball and looks to get involved. He just adds another level of direction to the forward pack and always puts his hand up for the hard stuff.

Rohan O’Regan: We’re lucky that he’s come back to us at the right time of the year because he was under a bit of an injury cloud through the season. Always prepared to put his body on the line and his courage in the collisions and how he defends is incredible. Will play a big part at the weekend.

David Hickey: He’s another leader in that pack with his carries, how he defends and his communication to the whole team. We’re fortunate to have his experience and his influence, he sets the direction and other blokes follow him and play for him. He has that respect and you can’t buy that.

Jake Wainwright: Probably been the most consistent forward all year. He never skips a beat and in terms of what he’s been able to repeat in his performances every week, it’s outstanding. A quiet, unassuming bloke who goes about his work with no nonsense and is a great person to have in the team. It’s been a privilege to coach him this year.

Jake Gordon: I played with him in his first year in grade and to see the growth in him since then, and how he has found that consistency to his game and his ability to repeat efforts, has been great. When he plays well, the team plays well, and while that is a huge responsibility, he has played 50 1st grade games now, he’s fit, he’s quick, he’s a threat with the ball and he makes good decisions. He’ll go a long way towards determining the result.

Stu Dunbar: He’s a really good story. He hung in there playing 2nd grade for the majority of the season waiting for an opportunity, and when it presented itself, he was ready to take it. It’s his sixth year at the club and it’s a fitting reward for someone who has worked hard and never given up. He’s an incredible threat with the ball and his direction in how we attack will be imperative on the weekend.

Christian Kagiassis: Another great story  – a young guy who’s probably more renowned as a 10 or 15 but was in such good form that I couldn’t leave him out of the team. He’s found a spot on the wing and hasn’t looked back. He’s so dangerous down that left edge and the way that he attacks and his workrate off the ball has been exceptional. Fantastic first year in 1st grade.

Tom Carter (C): I think the final frontier for him was leadership and what he’s done for the team this year in terms of not asking them to do something he’s not prepared to do himself, has been incredible. He hasn’t missed a training session, hasn’t missed a game and the amount of work he’s done for every other player is unbelievable and it shows in how the guys respond and play for him.

Jim Stewart: He’s a fantastic athlete and brings another element to our game in terms of how we play. He’s a dynamic ball carrier and an exceptional defender and complements ‘Carts’ in so many ways in the centres. If we can get him to fire as well, that centre battle will be great to watch and will also go a long way towards determining the result.

Jack Redden: Another playing a bit out of position as he’s normally a centre or a fullback but his form and his skill set was too good to leave out of the team. He’s exceptionally quick, one of the best attacking backs in the club in terms of broken play and he’s got a big left boot, which is helpful in getting us out of trouble.

Angus Roberts: His experience, his ability to attack at the right time and play field position, and his decision making are what sets this team apart. Similar to Jake Gordon, when ‘Gussy’ plays well the team plays well. It’s been terrific to watch him come back and contribute so much to the team after maybe not achieving what he wanted to in Super Rugby. It’s great to see him enjoying his footy again.

Reserves:

Alexander Masima: Still eligible for colts but we think he’s got a bright future. A big, strong kid that’s full of energy, is super mobile, gets around the field and defends really well.

Alex Batho: Another playing his first year in 1st grade and it’s great to see someone in that position contribute what he has this year on a consistent basis. To handle all the loading of playing in the front row whilst working full-time is a credit to him. There’s nothing flashy about how he plays, he just gets the job done and never lets you down.

Benjamin Carolan: He’s been playing in the back row and when an opportunity has presented itself, also at hooker, so his ability to cover those positions puts him in a good selection frame. A good worker with an incredible instinct for the game, he’s been a huge addition to the club this year.

Calum Buckling: A consistent contributor to the team all year, he can play in the second row or back row so is hugely versatile. A great ball carrier and probably one of the cleanest hitters in the club, with his development this year he’ll be one to watch in the future.

Hamish Dunbar: Playing well above his weight and with a good instinct for the game, he doesn’t muck around with what he does or how he approaches the game. One of the best defenders in the club who gets through plenty of work, especially at the breakdown, where he has all the elements to be a great no.7.

Tipiloma Kaveinga: Probably the heartbeat of the team with his contributions and what he has done this year. A dynamic ball runner who hits hard in defence, it’s just great to see what can happen when someone gets an opportunity to come and train with us from subbies and gets stuck in. Wouldn’t look out of place in a Super Rugby environment.

Jock Merriman: Done really well to come back from a serious neck injury and guide 2nd grade around the park, he’s got a really good understanding of the game. Plays field position better than most nine’s that I know and makes good decisions. Won’t let us down if he gets the opportunity.

Chris Ingate: Not out of place at centre or on the wing, he’s one of those guys that gives absolutely everything that he’s got both on and off the field, and happy to play in any grade and get stuck in. I think that’s why he’s such a special member of the group and why blokes would do anything for him.