While Shute Shield teams took a well deserved weekend off, we asked fans who they thought the most influential player in the 2017 Shute Shield competition was.

Understandably, there was plenty of support of Norths’ fourth grader Ash Hall, but unfortunately he fell just short of a spot in our top 10.

10) Jai Ayoub – Eastwood (4%)

Eastwood flyhalf Jai Ayoub was dominant in the early stages of the season before heading overseas for a stint with the Croatian national side.

9) Jake Wainwright – Sydney Uni (4%)

Sydney Uni backrower Jake Wainwright’s high workload and aggression rightfully earns him a spot in the top ten.

8) Paula Balekana – Gordon (5%)

Gordon flyer Paula Balekana has already bagged three hat tricks this season and is the competition’s leading tryscorer with 15 five pointers.

7) Andrew Deegan – Randwick (8%)

Randwick general Andrew Deegan proved how important he is for his side earlier this year when he scored 24 points to help the Galloping Greens upset Norths.

6) Hamish Angus – Warringah (8%)

Now one of the veterans of the Shute Shield competition, Hamish Angus continues to get better with age and showed every bit of experience in round 10 when he kicked a sideline conversion minutes from full time to help the Rats claim their first win at Manly Oval since 2007.

5) Jed Gillespie – Eastwood (10%)

Eastwood prop Jed Gillespie played a key role in the Woodies last premiership back in 2015 and if they are to feature on grand final day again this year, he’ll be a big reason why.

4) Kotoni Ale – Manly (11%)

After spending 12 months on the sideline following a horrific leg injury midway through 2015, Manly flanker Kotoni Ale has returned to his best this season and is the heart and soul of a Manly side that leads the competition after 11 rounds.

3) Josh Holmes – Warringah (13%)

Another of the veterans at Warringah, Josh Holmes sparks much of the Rats attack from the base of the ruck and is one player every opposing coach mentions before a trip to Rat Park.

2) Tayler Adams – West Harbour (14%)

West Harbour flyhalf Tayler Adams has come into his own in 2017 and is comfortably the competition’s leading pointscorer with 151 points in the opening 11 rounds at an average of over 13 points a match.

1) Will Miller – Northern Suburbs (17%)

After leading Norths to their first premiership in 41 years, Miller headed south for a short stint with the Melbourne Rebels earlier this year but is set to return to North Sydney Oval to help the Shoreman get their season back on track after losing four of last five matches.

Other finalists (6%):

Sam Lane (Manly), Paul Asquith (Southern Districts), Rowan Perry (Eastern Suburbs), Kelly Meafua (West Harbour), Brandon Paenga-Amosa (Southern Districts), Christian Kagiassis (Sydney University), Tyrone Viiga (Parramatta), Joseph Faoagali (Penrith), Con Foley (Northern Suburbs), Sam Croke (Randwick).