By MARK CASHMAN

Northern Suburbs coach Zak Beer hit the nail pretty match on the head when he said that you don’t win anything in June and he is setting his group for a red hot crack towards the back end of the Shute Shield.

Norths have hit the halfway mark of the competition with an eight from nine record and are playing some pretty good team rugby.

They are not perfect but they defend well and have some weapons in the bag that means that they will go deep once the playoffs begin in August.

Here’s what Beer had to say:

ALL THE NUMBERS

Played 9, won 8, Lost 1
Points For: 304
Points Against: 118
Differential: 186
Ladder position: second on 38 points

How would you describe your first half of the season?

I guess you’d say it’s been a good first half of the year, though whilst eight from nine is pleasing – nobody wins anything in June.

As a group we’ve only just scratched the surface in terms of where we want to take our game and what we’re capable of. Our standards remain high and we still have a fair way to improve across the board.

This first half of the season has laid a strong platform though to assess those areas we need to improve, what’s working and what opportunities we have to evolve in Attack and Defence.

Who has been the standout player so far?

Difficult to point one particular player out, our game is based on everyone performing their role within the system as best as they can.

Though if I was forced to single one out I’d say Max Burey – he brings such a unique skill-set to the Shute Shield with the ability to read defensive cues and make the right decision be it run, pass or kick and is continuing to mature as a playmaker and leader within the group.

What’s been the difference between your best and worst performances so far this year?

Each of our wins have been special for different reasons, though they have each given us some clear lessons we’ve tried to take into the following weeks.

Our discipline has cost us at times, as was shown the other weekend against Easts. We had that game sown up but three consecutive penalties sent us 100m downfield and ultimately cost us the game.

It’s not always perfect but that’s what makes the challenge so exciting.

How does your squad look for the backend of the season?

Losing Nathan Russell and Brodie Leber so early on in the campaign did impact us, though the guys who’ve stepped in have really taken their chance and it’s great to see.

Angus Sinclair has recovered from his quad strain, Charlie Jeavons-Fellows will be returning in a couple of weeks and we’ll be getting Hugh Sinclair, Jack Whetton and James Turner back full-time with us. Each of those guys are a big part of our group and it’s not like we need to re-invent the wheel with them coming back in.

Our depth was tested early on and those guys from second Grade who came in stood up to the task – which will only help us further down the line in August/September.

The pleasing thing is that the vast majority of players who’ve been making their debuts this year have come through our Colts system. In a way we’ve had a chance to get an early look at the ‘Next Gen’ of Norths in the coming 5-10 years.

Which two teams will play in this year’s grand final?

Easts, Uni and Eastwood have all been impressive in their own ways and I don’t think Sydney University have had a blemish so far this year though.

But for me a Northern Suburbs v Sydney University Grand Final.

IMAGE: KAREN WATSON