Eastwood, Norths, Manly and Uni all won by less than five points in a thrilling weekend of Shute Shield rugby, while West Harbour and Gordon also impressed in their bonus point victories.

Check out our team of the week from round three.

1) Nick Brown – Manly

Besides setting up the try of the year, at least in the eyes of all props out there, Brown also led his side’s tackle count and made two pilfers. 

2) James Hilterbrand – Manly

Like a fine red wine, Hilterbrand keeps getting better with age. He threw the first pass to Brown in his brilliant try assist and was really good at lineout time. 

3) Vunipola Fifita – Easts

The big Beasties prop has sured up his side’s scrum and made a heap of tackles around the park in Easts’ narrow loss. 

4) Byron Leach – Manly 

In the right place at the right time twice to score two important first half tries, Leach was everywhere and his work rate was the reason why he crossed the line twice. 

5) Saxon Gillies – Norths

Against his old club, scored a try and did a mountain of work around the park, particularly in defence where he hit as hard as anyone on the park on Saturday. 

6) Max Clementson – West Harbour

A No.7 that we’ve shifted to No.6 to fit him into this week’s side, the former English 7s forward looks to have lifted the standards of the West Harbour pack and improved the performances of all the players around him. 

7) Tavite Gadeisuva – Western Sydney

A standout in a losing side, carried all day and made plenty of metres every time he touched the ball, plus he was a pest at breakdown time and claimed two pilfers. 

8) Tiueti Asi – Hunter

Asi was unstoppable, particularly in the first half against Sydney Uni and made two individual breaks that led to tries for the Wildfires. He looks to be in career best form. 

9) Tas Smith – Sydney Uni

Smith had his best game since returning to the Shute Shield after a stint in the MLR. Smith is a quick and nippy No.9 that seems to make the right decisions in attack more often than not. He scored and set up several tries by doing just that. 

10) Jack McGregor – Gordon

After a slow start to the season, McGregor was a class above in Gordon’s big win over Warringah. He controlled the pace of the game perfectly, was electric in attack and kicked 7 from 7 off the boot. 

11) Brandon Quinn – Gordon

Quinn was on the end of a lot of McGregor and Gordon’s good work and claimed a hat trick in the 20-point victory. After working his way back into the Stags’ starting side, the winger has been brilliant in recent weeks. 

12) Sione Taufui – Sydney Uni

Taufui has been at Uni for a few seasons now and has earned his spot in first grade. He tackled all day and got his side over the advantage line repeatedly against the big Hunter midfield. 

13) Henry O’Donnell – Norths

O’Donnell had his best game in Norths’ colours after making the move from Sydney Uni. Showed great space and vision to straighten his side’s counter attack and set up the try of the match for winger Seb Cameron. 

14) Blake Rixon – Easts

Another we’ve had to shift, albeit from one wing to the other, after claiming a hat trick for the Beasties against Manly. Rixon is quickly becoming one of the competition’s best finishers. 

15) Otu Mausia – Western Sydney 

Potentially a controversial selection after receiving a (contentious) red card in the 50th minute, but Mausia was brilliant when he was on the park. He scored a brilliant individual try and set up another and ran for more than 130 metres in 50 minutes.