We’re a little over halfway through the 2022 Shute Shield regular season and as the sides start to prepare their run towards the finals, we thought we’d get the inside word from each of the first grade coaches on the opening 10 rounds. 

Next, we chat to Northern Suburb’s coach Zak Beer, Warringah mentor Mike Ruthven and Western Sydney coach Sailosi Tagicakibau.

Northern Suburbs: 4th – 5 wins, 4 losses, 1 draw

Next five: Hunter (H), Manly (H), West Harbour (A), Gordon (H), Eastwood (A)

Overview with Zak Beer: 

How would you describe your first half of the regular season? 

“Every game has been competitive and the even nature of the comp means you have to be up each week.

“Where we sit on the ladder is probably a fair indication of how the first half of our season has gone.

We’ve been dominant for parts of games and below our standards in others. The injuries to some of our key guys has given us the opportunity to blood a lot of our young talent into first grade early in this first half of the year.”

What do you need to improve to challenge for the premiership? 

“The games that we’ve gone down in have been by the slimmest of margins, which has shown how minor moments can be magnified in tight games.

“Missing some of our experienced players throughout this first half of the year has meant there’s been games where our tactical decision making in certain moments wasn’t at our usual level.

“Our guys who’ve debuted and stepped up have done a great job and gained invaluable experience and some key lessons in managing tight games and winning those moments. This experience will only benefit our club as we head towards the finals and over the following seasons.”

Who will you play in the grand final? 

“It’s such a brilliant comp to be following where each team can beat each other on any day.

“I think Sydney Uni once again this season are well organised and have a decent roster and will be there abouts. The 8 team finals system will give more a shot and there could be some upsets.”

Warringah: 5th – 6 wins, 4 losses

Next five: Southern Districts (A), Eastwood (H), Western Sydney (A), Randwick (H), Sydney Uni (A)

Overview with Mike Ruthven:

How would you describe your first half of the regular season? 

“Our first half of the season has been a little inconsistent. We’ve had some great results, seen improvement in specific areas of our footy but then let ourselves down in some key games.”

What do you need to improve to challenge for the premiership? 

“Our focus throughout the back end of the competition is just maintaining a more consistent application around the level of intensity and concentration that we displayed in the games that we have performed really well in.”

Who will you play in the grand final? 

“I’m not worried about who we play in a grand final. Our focus is making sure we get there. If we do, well we’ll be in with a good chance.”

Western Sydney: 8th – 4 wins, 6 losses

Next five: Randwick (H), Southern Districts (A), Warringah (H), Hunter (A), Eastern Suburbs (H)

Overview with Sailosi Tagicakibau:

How would you describe your first half of the regular season? 

“The season to date has been challenging, every game is close and anyone can win on the day. As a club we have put down some good foundations to build from and have earned the respect to be part of this competition.”

What do you need to improve to challenge for the premiership? 

“With such a new group we are building that cohesion every week. It was always going to be difficult early on but the belief is there now and we are looking forward to getting back to work.”

Who will you play in the grand final? 

“I’d love for a Hunter v Two Blues final just to give the comp a proper shake up! I think Hunter have been awesome this year and would love to see one of us go all the way. If we can get in to the top eight, anything could happen!”