By MARK CASHMAN

Eastern Suburbs’ hopes of wining their first Shute Shield since 1969 have copped a major blow with the news that their big No.8 Rob Leota will miss the rest of the season.

Leota, who joined the Beasties Shute Shield campaign in the later stages of the home and away season from Melbourne, broke his ankle in one of the final plays of the 29-20 loss to Eastwood at Pittwater Rugby Park on Sunday.

Easts play Gordon on Saturday at 1.30pm at Rat Park in the first of the grand final qualifiers and have been able to bring the experienced Sam Shires into their back row to join Charlie Gamble and Dean Oakman-Hunt.

Shires will play at blindside breakaway with Oakman-Hunt moving the No.8 slot.

Beasties coach Pauli Taumoepeau said: “Yeah it’s a big loss but we’ve got blokes ready to go.”

The rest of the Easts side is the same as the one that took on the Woodies in the wind and rain last Sunday.

Gordon coach Darren Coleman has named Mahe Vailanu at hooker in his side to play Easts.

Vailanu was blue carded in the final home and away game against Eastwood a fortnight ago and is a welcome returnee as the Highlanders attempt to rev up their tilt at the premiership.

They were lucky to stumble to a 15-14 win over Randwick last weekend and want to make a statement on Saturday.

Jack Dempsey and James Lough will form the back row along with skipper Jordy Goddard. Tom Silk, who had a high work rate in the game against Randwick, will come off the bench if he is available.

In the Sunday game Northern Suburbs have been able to name the same side that came from behind to beat 24-22 Sydney Uni last weekend.

Eastwood have named close to the same side that ran on against Easts last Sunday with sevens star Lachie Anderson pulling on the No.13 jumper.

Sione Tau will play the front end of the game in the Woods back row.

Here’s all the teams for the weekend’s games:

Saturday, October 24

GORDON V EASTERN SUBURBS at Pittwater Rugby Park (Kickoff 1.30pm)

GORDON (1-15): 

Charlie Abel, Mahe Vailanu, Dom Hardman, Jack Margin, Brendan Mitchell, Jack Dempsey, James Lough, Jordy Goddard (c), Harrison Goddard, Rod Iona, Ahmu Tuimalealifano, Joey Walton/Ellis Abraham, Tautalatasi Tasi, Oli Smeallie, Reece MacDonald.

EASTERN SUBURBS (1-15):

Vunipola Fifita, Lindsey Moli Sooaemalelagi, Archer Holz, Ryan McCauley, Jack Digby, Sam Shires, Charlie Gamble, Dean Oakman-Hunt, Jack Grant (c), Cohan Guerra, Henry Paterson, Lalaki Foketi, Alex Newsome, Richie Woolf, Dan Donato.

Sunday October 25

NORTHERN SUBURBS V EASTWOOD at Pittwater Rugby Park (Kickoff 3pm)

NORTHERN SUBURBS (1-15): 

German Haeffeli, James Margan, Dewald Dekker, Dave Henaway, Declan Carroll, Brad Hemopo, Heinrich Brendel, Hugh Sinclair, Nick Duffy, Angus Sinclair, Reece Mau’u, Harry Burey, Nathan Russell, Kepu Lokotui, Max Burey.

EASTWOOD (1-15):

Jed Gillespie, Ed Craig, Rhys Sheriff, Tim Anstee, Charles Granger, Sione Tau, Tom Murphy, Pat Sio, Matt Gonzalez, Tane Edmed, Fabian Goodall, Enoka Muliufi, Lachie Anderson, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Chris Bell.

IMAGE: AJF PHOTOGRAPHY