The reigning premiers have a chance to claim their second straight Shute Shield premiership at North Sydney Oval tomorrow but they’ll need to overcome a Warringah side first, with plenty to play for.

For those sitting on the fence, here is five reasons why Norths will win:

Grand final experience

While Warringah have plenty of experienced heads, 11 players from the Norths side that won last year’s grand final at North Sydney Oval will start for the Shoreman tomorrow and that has to help the home side. Grand finals are like no other game all year and with a massive crowd expected tomorrow, last year’s experience may help calm the nerves of the Norths’ players, particularly in the early stages.

Will Miller

While Josh Holmes can turn a match on its head, Will Miller is more Chuck Norris than Chuck Norris according to some die hard Norths fans. The “King of the North” had a stint with the Melbourne Rebels this year and Norths really struggled without him. It’s no coincidence that Norths improved after Miller and Hugh Sinclair returned and if Miller finds his best tomorrow, Norths will be very tough to beat.

Breakdown dominance

We’ve spoken about Will Miller already but it’s fair to say Norths will win tomorrow if they get on top at the breakdown. Miller, Gary Bautz and Michael Wells all play different roles for the Shoreman, but together they’re indisputably the best back row in the competition. Warringah have plenty of strike power in the backs, but they won’t get a chance to attack tomorrow if the Rats forwards don’t secure their own ball.

Home ground advantage

Warringah will have plenty of support but they are still travelling to play Norths at North Sydney Oval, despite finishing ahead of the Shoreman at the end of the regular season. Norths will arrive to familiar surroundings and if they can block out the noise from 10,000+ fans, they can treat tomorrow as just another game.

Simon Cron’s swan song

A lot of things have fallen into place at North Sydney over the last few years that have led to Norths second straight grand final appearance, but Simon Cron was probably the most important piece of the puzzle. The Kiwi born coach arrived at the club and was asked to turn the Shoreman into a finals team. He said no, and told his superiors he was here to turn Norths into the premiers and he did so in his second year at the club. A perennial winner, Cron will join the Waratahs coaching staff ahead of the 2018 season and Norths would love to send him off on the best note possible.