A month in to the 2025 Shute Shield regular season, just five competition points seperate the top nine teams on the ladder. 

A number of coaches have made widespread changes ahead of round five, including reigning premiers Easts, who have named five Waratahs to start against Manly on Ladies Day at Woollahra. 

Eastern Suburbs v Manly

Following last week’s derby loss to Randwick, Ben Batger has named five Waratahs in his team to play Manly on Ladies Day at Woollahra with hooker Julian Heaven, backrower Fergus Lee Warner, halves Jack Grant and Jack Bowen and winger Darby Lancaster all named in the starting XV. 

It’s not what Marlins fans want to hear as their side chases it’s first win of the year. On Anzac Day, Manly held their own against Warringah in the first half but were unable to match a pretty handy Rats outfit after the break. 

In more positive news for Manly, the Marlins second grade side claimed an impressive bonus point win over Warringah on derby day and a number of players jump in to first grade with wind in their sails. 

Neori Nadruku and Harry Fry will start in the front row and Ben Di Staso returns at flanker. In the backs, Jack Stafford and Robbie McIntosh return in the halves, Angus Bell and Charlie Powell are in the centres and Ollie Horne is back at fullback. 

Eastern Suburbs (1-15)

Rob Cobb, Julian Heaven, Reon Lowery, Josh Bokser, Jack Tougher Wells, Ciaran Booth, Nick Cross, Fergus Lee-Warner, Jack Grant, Jack Bowen, Darby Lancaster, David Vaihu, Otto Serfontein, Joel Cobb, Cooper Whiteside.

Manly (1-15)

Neori Nadruku, Harry Fry, Maka Mafileo, Ethan Cutler, Justin Mataele, Hunter Ward, Ben Di Staso, Sione Misiloi, Jack Stafford, Robbie Mcintosh, Kai Vincent, Angus Bell, Charlie Powell, Wilson Dulieu, Ollie Horne.

Gordon v Eastwood

Following last week’s disappointing Anzac Day loss to Sydney Uni, Stags coach Harry Fehily has made a number of changes to his starting side to host Eastwood this weekend. 

Waratah Adrian Brown will start at prop, veteran Ryan Jackson will start at hooker and former Ospreys forward Alexander Ashton will start at lock. 

In the backs, Conor Hickey shifts from fullback to flyhalf and Barrie Karea returns to the starting side in the centres. 

Eastwood came back from their annual road trip to Cowra empty handed after letting a lead slip late against Norths. 

Dave Telfer welcomes back veteran backrower Ratu Tuisese for the clash against Gordon though, with Brian Tuilagi to start at lock and Daniel Stovold at No.8. 

In the backs, Aussie 7s squad member James McGregor is back at fullback. If you’re at Chatswood Oval, keep an eye on McGregor’s Sevens teammate Hadley Tonga in second grade. 

Tonga is a highly touted prospect but has suffered a horror run with injuries since finishing school. At his best, the former sprinter could be anything in either Sevens of XVs. 

Gordon (1-15)

Adrian Brown, Ryan Jackson, Tristan Fuli, Alexander Ashton, John Akauola, Presley Tufuga, Tom Horan, Milan Basson, Harry Emery, Conor Hickey, Brandon Quinn, Barrie Karea, James Armstrong, Mike Pavlakis, Will Kaye.

Eastwood (1-15)

Iain Carmichael, Jayden Henderson, Jackson Clarke, Brian Tuilagi, Jhy Legg, Ratu Tuisese, Nick Henderson, Daniel Stovold, Lachie Albert, Harry Snook, Isaac Crowe, Michael Stringer, JL Bacon, Lachlan Shelley, James McGregor.

Northern Suburbs v Southern Districts

Norths returned from a bruising trip to Cowra with the Sir Roden Cutler Shield and will defend it this week against Southern Districts at North Sydney Oval. 

A late try to hooker James Margan proved the difference in an important win for the Shoremen, who were close to starting the year 1-3 after playing in last year’s grand final. 

Prop George Thornton and backrower Boston Kerapa return to the starting side while Reece Mau’u is back on the wing. 

Souths discipline cost them dearly against Hunter on Anzac Day with a lopsided penalty count ending any hope of a home win at Forshaw. Despite that, the Rebels stuck with Hunter and scored a late try to add some respectability to the scoreline. 

Thomas Gibb will start at hooker for the first time this season, while big lock Taisson Lealaisalanoa will also start against Norths. The Rebels’ backline is unchanged for what is an important match for both sides. 

Northern Suburbs (1-15)

George Thornton, Sam Kitchen, Apolosi Ranawai, Theo Vukasinovic, Tom Everard, Boston Kerapa, Marshall Le Maitre, Baden Godfrey, Seamus Smith, Matt Minogue, Reece Mau’u, Josh Barr, Nathan Russell, Carrick McDonough, Tom Bacon.

Southern Districts (1-15)

Sam Miller, Thomas Gibb, Isaac Clark, Jonty Ravenhill, Taisson Lealaisalanoa, Max Freeman, Alex Crotti, Aston Vaiotu, Josh Noonan, Mark Balaski, Winiata Cherrington, Gavin Wood, Damien Faiane, Caleb Beams, David Nicol.

Warringah v Western Sydney

A big second half helped Warringah get past Manly on Anzac Day. Josh Holmes has named a settled team to take on the Two Blues up at Rat Park, with just one change. 

Young Tahs back Jackson Ropata will start at outside centre for the first time this year, with Charlie Tupu to play on the wing. 

Sailosi Tagicakibau returns to his old stomping ground with a Western Sydney outfit who appear to be starting to hit their straps. 

The Two Blues had a few moments of brilliance against West Harbour last week and are a dangerous team when they play with confidence and momentum. 

Western Sydney have made two changes to their starting side with Ryan Connolly to start at hooker and Paula Waqa named at lock. 

Warringah (1-15)

Sateki Latu, Wes Thomas, Pat La Torraca, Sam Thomson, Phil Potgieter, Keelan Whitman, Jake Barnabas, Chlayton Frans, Ben Fuhuniu, Coby Miln, Archie Saunders, Tyson Davis, Jackson Ropata, Charlie Tupu, Ben Marr.

Western Sydney (1-15)

Kaynan Siteine-Tua, Ryan Connolly, Airi Hunt, Cruise Dunster, Paula Waqa, Tyrone Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Fionn Clifford, Tovo Faleafa, Rilloy Suesue, Reece Suesue, Hosea Saumaki, Abel Magalogo, Sitiveni Moceidreke, Cody Nordstrom, Latrell Smiler Ah-Kiong.

West Harbour v Randwick

West Harbour couldn’t quite match the Two Blues in the western Sydney derby at home last weekend and will be desperate to pick up their first victory of the year when they host Randwick at Concord this weekend. 

Phil Blake has made five changes to his starting side with Sonny Satuala and Trent Luka to start in the front row and Liam Lord at lock. 

In the backs, Taine Rush will start at outside centre and Santana Marshall is back on the wing. 

Randwick produced their best performance of the year last weekend and outclassed Easts in the local derby.  Shaun Berne has made plenty of changes after the bruising encounter though and named an entirely new front row. 

Waratah Issac Kailea will start alongside Lou Robinson and Paulo Lelesiuao, while lock Tom Pirrodi will also start. 

Classy backs James Hendren and Jonathan Chan will miss the clash after impressing against Easts, with Hamish Comonte and Irishman Louis Bruce to start at No.13 and No.15 respectively. 

West Harbour (1-15)

Dean Begetis, Rob Iramescu, Trent Luka, Sau Ofahengaue, Liam Lord, Ale Aho, Ethan Halatokoua, Onehunga Havili Kaufusi, Drew Sellers, James Faiva, Santana Marshall, Jack Sheridan, Taine Rush, Curtis Ambrose, Matt Whelan.

Randwick (1-15)

Isaac Kailea, Lou Robinson, Paulo Lelesiuao, Mick Melia, Tom Pirrodi, Max Moore, Joel Ellis, Isi Naisarani, Tim Sippel, Jack Bergin, Joe Browning, Ben Zucchiati, Hamish Comonte, Will Ngatai, Louis Bruce.

Hunter v Sydney Uni

Hunter aren’t quite the finished product yet, but there is something building nicely up in Newcastle. This week, the Wildfires take on the other big improvers so far this season in a match that should tell us plenty about both sides. 

Big Waratahs lock Mesu Kunavula will miss the clash, with Kirk Tufuga named at lock, while Phil Talaileva returns in the No.8 jersey. 

Hunter’s backline is unchanged. 

Sydney Uni produced their best performance of the season to beat Gordon on Anzac Day and move into the top four. 

Clem Halaholo will start at lock, while former Two Blue and Rat Dane Terekia will make his starting debut for the Students. 

In the backs, Austin Bell is back following Jake Gordon’s stint in the No.9 jersey last weekend, while Jacob Sisia will start in the centres. 

Hunter (1-15)

Bo Abra, Bruce Kauika-Petersen, Lachlan Hodges, Kirk Tufuga, Micah Aish-Gillard, Daniel Maiava, Donny Freeman, Phil Talaileva, Logan Love, Connor Winchester, Frankie Nowell, Ueta Tufuga, Sione Taufui, Brendan Palmer, Jack Evenden.

Sydney University (1-15)

Paddy Tagg, Declan Moore, Brad Amituanai, Clem Halaholo, Nathaniel Panozzo, Dane Terekia, Sam Allsopp, Mali Manukia, Austin Bell, Sam Bignold, Jack Matthews, Jackob Sisia, Tom Morrison, Benjy Joseland, James Kane.