By MARK CASHMAN

Northern Suburbs coaching director Zak Beer knows that the Shoremen won’t be able to run under the radar when the Shute Shield kicks off in early April.

But he’s confident that the 2021 version of Norths can be better than the one that was knocked out in the preliminary final against Eastwood last season, a game that went to extra time in driving rain at Pittwater Rugby Park.

“Last year we evolved the way that we trained, played and the language that we used,” Beer said.

“Obviously there was a bit going on with COVID-19, coaching remotely over Zoom and a stack of new players but we’re into it now and we have picked up where we left off last year.

“On reflection we are a year older, a year wiser and guys are now coming to the club to learn and improve their games.

“The foundations were well and truly set and we are keen to build on all that work.

“Numbers have been great at training since we started our field sessions in the middle of January so now it’s a matter of working hard and making sure that we get better every time that we come together.”

One of the bigger “gets” for Norths has been arrival at the club of James Turner, the Shute Shield’s leading try scorer with 12 in 2020 when he was at West Harbour.

‘Jimmy the Jet’ is one of three players to move from the Pirates with Josh Petero, who can play flyhalf, fullback or wing, and DP De Lange, a midfield back also moving.

Jack Whetton, a lock from the Super Rugby Highlanders in NZ and now the Waratahs, has also come to the club.

It’s yet to be seen how much of Whetton the club will see with his commitments at the Tahs, but he’s a raw-boned big unit who will make a difference.

Norths have also been able to secure the services of lock Jeremy Burrill, one of the Hunter Wildfires best last year and part of the Melbourne Rebels wider squad until this year.

Brodie Leber, a backrower who has been with the NEC Green Rockets in recent times, will add to the back row stocks along with Emmanuel Makis, a No.8 or lock from the Two Blues.

Tim Lilomaiva, a hooker who has been at Sydney Uni in recent years, has also come across and Jacob Flynn, a scrum half who has played Sevens for Wales, will add depth at the base of the scrum.

It hasn’t been all incoming though with lock Nick Palmer retiring after copping a head knock last year in the Round Five encounter with the Hunter Wildfires at Bon Andrews.

The much-loved ‘Sticksy’, Norths first grade skipper and club captain in 2020 and a vital part of the 2016 premiership side, tried to return to the field several times as the Shoremen made their run to the preliminary final.

But the lingering effects of concussion were still there and he has decided to take a break after 81 first grade games and a stint at the NSW Waratahs.

He will be missed, but as Beer points out the legacy of Palmer’s leadership are there at every training session.

“‘Sticksy’ really typified what a leader should be,” Beer added.

“At Norths the training and playing standards are driven very much by the players and we are blessed that our behaviours and rituals have been set and have a life.

“They still exist and have Sticksy’s finger print over them – that says something about the influence that he has had and continues to.”

The forwards coach over the past couple of seasons Sape Misa has moved to Perth with his family and has taken up a head coach’s role at Associates, last year’s grand finalists.

Young prop Jayden Lynch has followed Misa to Perth to see what the west has to offer and it will be interesting to see how he develops.

Head coach Earl Va’a will be in the country in mid to late February but continues to play a major role from Wellington in New Zealand.

IMAGE: ANDREW QUINN