Manly will be one of the main challengers once again according to Brett Papworth – Photo: Carl Peterson

by Geoff Smith –

A new Shute Shield season brings with it many changes, but perhaps the most notable this year will be a new voice in the commentary box.

After 19 seasons calling the game for the ABC, Brett Papworth will take a back seat in 2015.

“It would have been nice to keep going, get the 20 up,” Papworth told Rugby News.

7TWO will broadcast all Shute Shield matches live in 2015, allowing the Eastwood President to take his place alongside the ‘Woodies’ faithful every Saturday afternoon.

“I’m just looking forward to being able to sit there and watch it without having to be impartial. I can just watch it like a fan, yell at the referee! I’m looking forward to it, it’ll be a nice change.”

Papworth expects the reigning Premiers to be a little rusty early in 2015 after a disrupted pre-season due to the National Rugby Championship. However, the former Wallaby doesn’t expect too many surprises come the end of the season.

“I think the usual suspects (will be there). I think Eastwood will be thereabouts, Uni, Souths, Manly of course (being) minor premiers last year. A couple of smokies, probably Randwick and Easts I’d suggest.”

Darren Coleman is one of many coaching changes in 2015. The inaugural NSW Country Eagles Head Coach will take charge of Eastern Suburbs, after filling the role of Coaching Director last season. He’s one that Papworth expects to have a positive impact this season.

As for players to watch, Southern Districts lock Jed Holloway and Eastwood’s Hugh Perrett are again expected to impress, along with plenty of names you may not have heard of just yet.

“What I’ve found over a long time following the Shute Shield is that there’s always some youngsters that you haven’t seen much of, and you just go, ‘Wow, where’s that bloke from?’ So there’ll be someone who sticks their hand up.

“You’ll have influential players who’ve been around a while. You’ve got your University set up, they just churn out quality young talent.”

A strong crop of generation next, keeping the competition in good shape.

“It’s more exciting, I think, than the Super 15 (competition) and those above it, because blokes are prepared to have a bit of a crack. It’s not as defence orientated so you see a lot of great attacking footy and a lot of blokes with speed.”

While the microphone will be put aside this season, Papworth will still remain a vocal force in the game. Perhaps this year, just a little more one-eyed than in the past.