By Jonathan B Geddes

THE return of a Shute Shield strike weapon and a recall of The Piano Man have boosted Northern Suburbs for their annual pilgrimage to play Eastwood in Cowra on Saturday.

While lock Lachie Hooper and halfback Michael McDonald were called up to travel to Fiji for NSW’s Super Rugby game against the Drua, Norths coach Zak Beer welcomes back centre Josh Barr for what is shaping up as a crucial game for the team.

Off the field, former club captain Arnie Berkeley has become a cult hero on the Cowra weekend, performing in the dressing sheds with his portable piano.    

Norths currently sit in seventh spot on 12 points, equal with sixth-placed Sydney University.

In a congested competition ladder, the Two Blues and Randwick are on 11 points, followed by Manly (10).

This weekend Randwick play Uni, the Two Blues take on Souths and Manly face off against Gordon in three other games, which could result in snakes and ladders for some teams on the table.

RAISING THE BARR   

THAT points logjam makes the reappearance of Barr even more timely for Norths

A graduate of the club’s Colts, Barr was one of the standout midfielders in last year’s Shute Shield when he played every game in his debut season in the top grade.

“After being one of our most dominant players, Josh picked up trial contact with the Aussie Sevens,” Beer said.

But in October, Barr suffered a cruel blow when he dislocated his shoulder and underwent a reconstruction.

After two comeback games in second grade, Barr has been recalled to the Shute Shield team, where he will partner Nathan Russell in the centres.

And Beer was delighted that his strike weapon was back on deck.

“Josh Barr is a true triple-threat player,” the coach said. “He was one of the top backs in the comp last year for tackle breaks. He came through our Colts system as a five-eighth or fullback, so he can be a ballplayer as well.”

Despite the setback while in the Sevens program, Beer sees a bright future for Barr.

“He’ll get something professionally, I have no doubt,” he said.

Norths head into the Eastwood game following their 29-12 loss to defending premiers Warringah last start.

“We went toe to toe with them and were leading before halftime, but unfortunately didn’t have enough firepower to stick with them,” Beer said. “But there are good signs there.”

THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD

CHASING the win this weekend offers its own special challenges.

“The Cowra game is unique because it is such a long trip out there (close to five hours) you’ve really got to handle the travel well because it’s not something Shute Shield teams really do,” Beer said.

The squad will assemble in Cowra on Friday evening, and the tradition is to have a team walk and play a bit of cricket in the morning.

“Literally the whole town of Cowra shuts up and comes to the game,” Beer said.

Another big test for Norths is their unpredictable opposition.

Beer said Eastwood has been playing some great rugby, but it was hard to pinpoint any obvious system. And after the first five rounds, Beer admits he just doesn’t know what to expect.

 “This week has been purely focused on us,” Beer said.

SING US A SONG, PIANO MAN

 A highlight of the weekend is Berkeley – the  Norths club stalwart and rugby’s Billy Joel -tickling the ivories in the dressing shed after the game and in various establishments around town.

The players had never experienced anything like it before, and the first time he performed, they were blown away. It didn’t take them long to join in an old-fashioned singalong that almost blew the roof off the dressing shed. You can’t imagine the same thing happening in any other football code.

“It is outstanding,” Beer said.