It’s close to impossible to pick who’ll end up playing in the Shute Shield decider at Bankwest Stadium in a few weeks time following one of the tightest regular seasons of club footy we’ve seen. 

But one factor that will likely become crucial in the coming weeks is depth. 

After playing week after week for almost five months straight now, the majority of first grade squads are reasonably banged up and this year’s premiership could be decided by who can get the best 23 players fit and ready to play on August 24. 

Certain squads have been hit harder than others already, while some have players working overtime to get themselves ready to play each week. 

That’s why depth and the form of each club’s second grade side could prove crucial in the coming weeks. 

Sydney Uni have a considerable advantage in this regard. While they obviously have plenty of depth, coach Rob Taylor has also done a tremendous job rotating players throughout the year so that the majority have first grade experience.

Up front, Jay Spencer, Declan Moore, Jack Sherratt, Nick Coaldrake, Rory Suttor, Jackson McCalman and Mitch Whiteley all have a decent amount of first grade caps. Suttor, McCalman and Whiteley would arguably be walk up starters at most other clubs. 

In the backs, Taylor also has Banjo Travers and Stu Dunbar to add depth in the halves and Henry Clunies-Ross and Jack Reddan out wide. 

Eastwood also have a number of options if injuries pop up in the coming weeks. 

No.8 Joey Afualo, scrumhalf Matt Gonzales and centres Blake Sutton and Pete Schuster can all comfortably step into first grade if needed. 

They also now have options at No.10, something that has cost them dearly at the back end of the season in recent years. 

Should Taylor Adams miss a match, Jackson Bird, Mick Snowden or even Blake Sutton could take on the playmaking role and while that would force a backline reshuffle, it wouldn’t have as big an impact as it has in the past. 

Warringah also have plenty of depth, particularly in the forwards. 

George Francis, Wes Thomas, Austin Faamausili and Manasseh Alaga have all spent plenty of time in the Rats first grade front row throughout 2019, while in the backrow Mark Gerrard could call on Max Girdler, Luke Reimer or Tom Connor without thinking twice. 

In the backs, Harley Attwater and Ezra Chee Kam are both handy additions, while current winger Ben Marr can cover almost every position in the backline if needed. 

The Rats also won’t feature in the second grade playoffs, allowing Gerrard to train with a wider first grade squad after the final round. 

Norths boast one of the most talented starting sides on paper of the teams left in the finals race, but below that, their depth isn’t as strong as their rivals. 

The Shoreman’s second grade side will need to win their final two matches to sneak into sixth spot and have only won six games this year. 

While Nick Duffy will return soon to put pressure on Michael Dowsett at No.9, very few from their second grade side have played first grade, particularly at the back end of the season.

While Gordon still have work to do to book their place in the playoffs, their second grade side is leading the competition, having lost just two matches all year, and a number of those players have significant first grade experience. 

The concern for the Stags is depth at flyhalf, following Robbie Coleman’s early departure to New Zealand. 

While Irish superboot Sean Kearns has been strong in his first year in the competition, Gordon may struggle if he has to leave the field. 

Manly have had a horror run with injuries this year but will book a spot in the finals with a win over West Harbour this weekend ahead of a bye in round 18. 

They’ll use the week off to try to get their best XV players fit and ready but it may not be enough time. 

In saying that, the Marlins do have plenty of experience in the lower grades. No.8 Brad Hemopo, No.9 Tim Donlan and backs Brendan Hartmann and Kiwi Kapene-Belcher all have plenty of first grade caps, but they haven’t spent a lot of time in the top grade this season. 

Last but not least is Easts, who will still most likely need to win their final two matches to sneak into the finals. 

The Beasties second grade side is stacked full of players with first grade experience and have only lost three games this year. 

In terms of depth, Uni, Eastwood and Warringah look to be in a far better position than the four sides below them on the ladder. 

Gordon and Easts have plenty of players that could step up while Manly’s bye comes at the perfect time for the battered Marlins.