The final round of the Shute Shield regular season will be played over the weekend ahead of a three week finals series, culminating in grand final day at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday August 26. 

While the top five sides have secured their playoff spots, there is still a lot to play for in the final round as teams try to build confidence and play their way into the best possible fixture on the opening week of the playoffs. 

Gordon, Sydney Uni and Western Sydney are also in a three way battle for sixth position. 

Here’s what this weekend’s results will mean for your side. 

1st) Norths: 62 pts, 13 wins – Home v Hunter

Norths are guaranteed to finish in the top two and may choose to rest players this weekend ahead of a brutal three week sprint towards grand final day.

Or they may choose to chase the minor premiership and a guaranteed path to the second week of the playoffs. 

2nd) Randwick: 62 pts, 12 wins – Home v Warringah

Like Norths, Randwick have also guaranteed a top two finish and a likely home semi final in week one. 

They may still chase top spot though to guarantee a second chance on the opening weekend of the playoffs. 

If fifth and sixth beat first and second in week one of the finals, the side ranked second will be eliminated. 

That’s exactly what happened to Southern Districts back in 2017. 

The Rebels had won 9 straight matches leading into the finals and finished second but were eliminated when they lost a tight one to Norths and sixth placed Eastwood stunned minor premiers Manly the next day. 

3rd) Eastwood: 57 pts, 10 wins – Away v Manly

The Woodies can secure third spot and a likely home semi final (potentially a farewell to TG Millner) if they beat Manly this week. 

As wins are taken into consideration before points differential, they can’t move up into the top two, but they will drop to fourth or fifth if they lose to the Marlins. 

4th) Hunter: 55pts, 10 wins – Away v Norths

For logistical reasons, Hunter are unlikely to host a finals match in week one, even if they do finish third. 

But they will still be very eager for a victory against Norths this week to boost their confidence heading into the finals. 

Since round 7, Hunter have only beaten one side in the top eight and would love to move into the playoffs with a big scalp to their name. 

If Hunter lose to Norths, they could drop to sixth spot if Gordon beat Sydney Uni. They’ll then face either Norths or Randwick in week one.

5th) Manly: 55pts, 9 wins – Home v Eastwood

Manly are another side looking to build confidence ahead of the playoffs and could do so with a win in round 18. 

They could also potentially book a home semi final at Manly Oval if they beat Eastwood and Hunter lose to Norths this weekend. 

If Manly lose to Eastwood, they’ll drop to sixth spot if Gordon beat Sydney Uni and face either Norths or Randwick in week one. 

6th) Gordon: 51pts, 10 wins – Home v Sydney Uni

Gordon’s loss to Western Sydney has meant knockout rugby starts a week early for the Stags. 

If they beat Sydney Uni, Gordon could finish anywhere from fourth to sixth depending on other results. 

If they lose, they’ll be off to Vinnies to purchase a Silly Sunday outfit far sooner than they would have hoped. 

7th) Sydney Uni: 49 pts, 9 wins – Away v Gordon

Uni are in the same position as Gordon after falling short against Eastwood last week. 

If they win, they’ll finish sixth and play either Norths or Randwick in week one. If they lose, it’s season over for the defending premiers. 

8th) Western Sydney: 49, 8 wins – Home v West Harbour

The Two Blues beat Gordon last week, but a Sydney Uni bonus point meant the win barely improved Western Sydney’s finals hopes. 

The Two Blues need to beat West Harbour and pick up a four try bonus point. They then need Sydney Uni to beat Gordon without picking up a four try bonus point. 

Uni have scored four tries or more in three of their last four wins, but it’s no guarantee, which means there’s still hope for the Two Blues and most Shute Shield supporters’ second favourite side.