Shute Shield Round 17: Easts stay alive, Manly book finals spot despite remarkable draw
Easts No.9 Jack Grant snuck through a desperate Gordon defensive line in the final play of the match to steal victory for Eastern Suburbs at Chatswood Oval.
Grant, the competition’s leading try scorer, scooted from the base of an attacking five metre scrum but looked to have tripped over his own feet in front of the goal posts.
The incredibly nimble No.9 somehow got back to his feet instantaneously though and dived over to score the match winner.
Gordon looked to have the match wrapped up with 20 minutes remaining, leading 25-12 following a red card to Easts prop Ofa Fainga’anaku for an illegal tackle.
But with their season on the line, Easts rallied late, scoring first through some individual brilliance from Jack Maddocks, then through Grant to steal the win.
The result means Easts will claim the final spot in the playoffs if they beat Eastwood next weekend.
If they don’t and Gordon claim a bonus point win over Western Sydney, the Stags will leapfro