Over the past few weeks, Rugby News caught up with all 12 Shute Shield coaches from this season and asked them which of their players they thought could push on in one way or another next season.

Here’s what they had to say.

Eastern Suburbs (Ben Batger):

“We’ve got a lot of guys who are already in systems and I’d like to see some of those guys push on to become good Super Rugby players and potentially Wallabies,” Batger said. 

“Darby Lancaster and Teddy Wilson are the obvious ones. I thought they were a class above Shute Shield level when they were playing with us this year. 

“I don’t think I’ll see them again to be perfectly honest, which is a great outcome.

“I think Jack Bowen will play a lot more Super Rugby next year as well. 

“In terms of guys looking to push into systems, Jamie Adams was our No.6 from the UK. He came to Australia to live, more so than to pursue footy and after the season he had, he picked up a Waratahs training contract. 

“In an all-star forward pack, he was almost our best player.  

“Archie Gavin got injured towards the end of the year and missed the finals but I thought he was brilliant and will be knocking on the door with another big season.

“Sid Harvey was fullback in our first colts side that won the premiership. He’s a tremendous young player from Narrabri. 

“He’s the full package and can kick, run and pass as a fullback. He’s got a big future and has another year of colts next year, but I think he’ll push into grade.”

Southern Districts (Joe Barakat): 

“Our fullback Issac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens is over with the Force at the moment and played quite a bit on their recent tour,” Barakat explained. 

“James Douglas (hooker) and Liam Blyde (halfback) were both really strong for us and I hope they hang around.

“Taisson Lealaisalanoa is one to keep an eye on. He’s a big forward who had some health issues this year which disrupted his season. He’s a big body, he’s tough and he doesn’t back down from anything.”

Northern Suburbs (Zak Beer): 

“It looks like Jude Gibbs is closing in on an opportunity at the next level and that’s really well deserved. He’s been fantastic over the past two seasons and works incredibly hard on and off the field,” Beer said.

“Henry O’Donnell has been one of the best players in the last two grand finals and it’s great to see him coming back to the Waratahs. He’s got a really strong rugby IQ and plays with a lot of passion for the jersey.

“I’m confident he’ll do the same in a sky blue jersey and maybe even a green and gold jersey if he keeps progressing.

“Sifa Amone is also returning from Perth to the Waratahs. Sifa came through our colts system before getting signed by the Western Force.

“He’s a 22-year old tighthead prop with 15 Super Rugby caps under his belt already so he’s got tremendous upside.”

West Harbour (Cam Treloar): 

“Hunter Hannaford went on a big trip and missed most of preseason last year,” Treloar explained.

“I think if he can get a full preseason under his belt, he can take another big step forward.

“If Scott King doesn’t go back to Scotland and if he can get his body right, he could make a big impact as well.

“He is one of those players that got injured early in the season but when he came back towards the end of year, he was really dominant.

“In the forwards, Liam Ward has a huge amount to offer. He came in halfway through the season and stamped his authority on the competition as a genuine lock. There aren’t many genuine locks floating around.

“There is a core group at the club, including guys like Drew Sellars and Bertie Alcock, that if they stick together, they’ll have a lot of success.

“We’ve just got to make sure they stick together.”

Western Sydney (Sailosi Tagicakibau): 

“I feel like I say this every year but the Suesue brothers are still knocking on the door and deserve an opportunity somewhere,” Tagicakibau said.

“They are the best non contracted 9/10 combination in the Shute Shield and were both in the running for the Ken Catchpole Medal this year, even though Reece missed the last few rounds with an injury.

“Both Rilloy and Reece are great assets to our club and to the Shute Shield competition and I know if they get an opportunity in a professional environment, they’ll go to another level again.

“They’ve never trained full time before so who knows how high their ceiling could be.”

Hunter (Scott Coleman):

Manly (Sam Lane):

“I’m pretty similar to Chris (Delooze) in that I don’t like singling out individuals but I do think we’ve got a really good group of graduating colts who will bring some good energy into the grade program next year,” Lane, Manly’s new coach predicted.

“Our second grade side that won the comp this year had a lot of young, local juniors and they’ll all be back again next year hungry for more success.

“I’m hoping both of those groups help create plenty of competition for spots and that will only benefit the club as a whole.”

Eastwood (Dave Telfer):

“Ben Dalton won our most valuable player this year and he’s only 22. He played well above his age and I think most people probably thought he was in his mid to late 20s,” Telfer said. 

“He’s been in and around the Aussie 7s set up and I think he had the potential to progress a lot further. 

“We’ve also got Lachie Shelley returning. He got injured after playing three minutes this season but he’s been in a professional set up with Leicester and also spent some time with the Aussie 7s as well. 

“He’ll get an off season for the first in a while, which will be invaluable. 

“JL Bacon is another exciting prospect. He played a lot of wing for us this year but towards the end of the season he made the No.13 jersey his own. 

“I’m excited to see what he can do next year.”

Warringah (Josh Holmes): 

“It was great to see Coby Miln get picked up by the Force, he’s going on their Spring Tour,” Holmes said. 

“Barney (Zac Barnabas) has been told he needs to work on a few things and he’s doing that at the moment. 

“Clay (Chlayton Frans) has picked up a train and trial contract with the Waratahs, which is great reward. 

“I’d love to see Wes Thomas get an opportunity somewhere. He’s working really hard on his set piece and it’s improving rapidly, but his work around the park adds so much to a team. 

“Australian rugby seem to be looking for guys that can add something in different areas of the game and he’s one of those guys. I think he’d develop really quickly in a professional system. 

“I’d love to see Archie Saunders start on the wing for the Waratahs next year. He’s got some stiff competition around him, but that sort of thing doesn’t really phase him. He just gets on with his work. 

“He also fits the Super Rugby mould perfectly. He’s big, he’s tall and he’s fast and he’ll handle that step up to the next level. 

“The two Bens (Marr and Woollett) could also both walk into a Super Rugby program and not just be ready to play but ready to make an impact.”

Randwick (Steve Hoiles): 

“A lot of our guys are capable, that’s for sure,” departing coach Steve Hoiles said proudly.

“Nick Chan, Jayden Blake and Matias Jensen all have big futures in the centres.

“I thought Benny Sugars at hooker went up another gear as well this year.

“Kai Willoughby at No.9 was excellent for us this year. He’s only young but he’s got the potential to play professionally.

“It’ll be interesting to see what they do at No.10. There are a few guys like Deegs (Andrew Deegan) and (Christian) Yassmin who haven’t decided if they are going to go around again so there could be some openings there.”

Gordon (Harry Fehily):

“I think Ollie Arcus has the potential to push on if he keeps developing at the same rate,” Fehily said.

“We’ve got a few other players that could, but it’s probably a question of if they want to.

“Tristan (Fuli) has potentially missed his opportunity as he’s a bit older now. John Akauola is probably in a similar position but is certainly good enough if someone is willing to take a punt on him.

“If I was coaching a professional club, I’d certainly give Milan (Basson) an opportunity but probably as a No.7 rather than a No.8.”

Sydney Uni (Todd Louden): 

“We’ve got some good young talent pushing through. We’ve got a young halfback name Hwi Sharples who is a really exciting young talent and played some first grade this year straight out of school,” Louden explained.

“(No.8) Eamon Doyle is another player we think highly of and Henry James at No.10 looks promising.

“They all had a taste of first grade this year and they’ll continue to develop.

“There are plenty of good young players at the club but they are probably the top three that come to mind.”