By MARK CASHMAN

The leading contenders for the 2020 Catchpole Medal for the best and fairest player in the Shute Shield have been announced with two rounds left.

The 11 come from nine clubs – Easts, Gordon, Manly, Norths, Penrith, Randwick, Souths, Sydney Uni and Warringah – with two coming from the Highlanders and two from the Students.

Gordon’s two – Harrison Goddard and Mahe Vailanu – have been in red hot form with Vailanu being in and around the ball for most of the season in the back row and at hooker for the Highlanders.

Sydney Uni skipper Rohan O’Regan has been a major contributor in a reasonably inexperienced forward pack while Henry Clunies-Ross is among the competition’s leading try scorers.

Interestingly Luke Nadurutalo from Penrith is amongst the contenders as his direct running and off loading game has been attracting the interest of many of the opposition coaches.

Covid-19 has meant that the presentation dinner will not be able to be staged and the formalities will be made between the end of the reserve grade grand final and the start of the Shute Shield premiership decider.

Numerous other awards will be made on the day including the rookie of the year.

The contenders:

Sam Shires (Easts), Mahe Vailanu (Gordon), Harrison Goddard (Gordon), Max Douglas (Manly), Brad Hemopo (Norths), Luke Nadurutalo (Penrith), Nathan Den Hoedt (Randwick), Christian Kagiassis (Souths), Rohan O’Regan (Sydney Uni), Henry Clunies-Ross (Sydney Uni), Ben Marr (Warringah).