By MARK CASHMAN

The six clubs that will play in the Shute Shield playoffs have been decided but the pecking order for the finals will be decided when Round 13 is run and won on Saturday.

There are a number of critical games headed by the 7TWO TV match of the round between Eastwood and Gordon.

Elsewhere Eastern Suburbs will host Randwick in the ‘Battle of the East’ at Woollahra Oval while at Rat Park Warringah will farewell four of their finest when they play Northern Suburbs.

The other match to have competition ladder ramifications is the game between the Two Blues and Sydney Uni.

In the other games West Harbour are hoping to continue their winning run with a victory over Southern Districts, at Nepean Rugby Park Penrith will host the Hunter Wildfires.

Here’s how all the games should pan out.

EASTWOOD V GORDON at TG Millner Field

Eastwood coach Ben Batger is well aware of the enormity of the challenge facing his side when they take on Gordon in the 7TWO TV match of the round on Saturday.

This isn’t just any old run of the mill home and away match – there’s the local derby aspect, the Sir Roden Cutler Shield is up for grabs and for the Highlanders there is the chance to grab the club championship with a whole of club effort.

No matter what the result here both teams will be playing in the first week of finals – Gordon on top of the table and the Woodies anywhere from second through to sixth.

So this one does matters and the perfect test not far out from playing for sheep stations, according to Batger.

“Gordon have the two most experienced coaches in the competition (Darren Coleman and Brain ‘Billy’ Melrose), they have a set of Super Rugby halves, they bring Wallabies and Super Rugby players off the bench so they don’t have many weaknesses,” Batger said.

“Having said that if we compete for everything and are able to build some pressure with and without the ball I’m confident we can get the job done.  

“It’s going to be a playoff standard match and perfect practice for the run home.

“It may well be one v three on the Shute Shield competition ladder and we’re both in there finals but every team wants to carry some momentum into the finals.”

Gordon coach Darren Coleman feels the same as Batger about the importance of this one.

“Everyone loves playing for trophies and we have the chance to win both the club championship and the Sir Roden Cutler Shield – so that’s exciting,” Coleman said. 

“Eastwood, in my mind are the form team in the competition at the moment. Their demolition of the Rats last week was very impressive.

“For them to be leading Warringah 47-7 late in that match says something about what a good, complete team that they are.

“This will be a really good test for us especially at fortress Milner. 

“That said though I’m confident our boys will show up with the attitude to compete and we can keep the good momentum we have into finals.”

“But it won’t be easy by any stretch. They have some big physical carriers in Pat Sio, Tau, Fabien Goodall, Marky Nawaqanitawase and Enoka Muliufi. 

“Then there are their unit leaders at No.2 and No.10 and some real speed with Matt Gonzales, and Tim Anstee.” 

EASTWOOD (1-15):

Jed Gillespie, Ed Craig, Rhys Sheriff, Tim Anstee, Charles Granger, Ratu Tuisese, Tom Murphy, Pat Sio, Matt Gonzalez, Tane Edmed, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Enoka Muliufi, Devan Stoltz, Fabian Goodall, Chris Bell.

GORDON (1-15): 

Charlie Abel, Mahe Vailanu, Dom Hardman, Jack Margin, John Bosco-Tagaloa, James Lough, Tom Silk, Jordy Goddard (c), Harrison Goddard, Rod Iona, Ahmu Tuimalealifano, Ellis Abrahams, Joey Walton, Oli Smeallie, Reece MacDonald.

EASTERN SUBURBS V RANDWICK at Woollahra Oval (kickoff at 5pm)

Eastern Suburbs have been in finals mode since Round Five of the Shute Shield competition and could think of nothing better than a big derby game to get them ready for the rough and tumble of the playoffs.

After four rounds the Beasties were sitting on one win and four losses and with general thinking saying that you could only afford four losses and make the finals they were very much on a knife’s edge.

Easts take on Randwick in a twilight encounter that could see them jump as high as second on the ladder and an all important second chance in the finals.

“Sitting one one win and three losses after four rounds put enormous pressure on the group for the remainder of the season,” coach Pauli Taumoepeau said. 

“But I’ve been impressed with how the group has responded to that scenario. 

“That’s obvious from the outside but it’s the character of the human away from game day that’s impressed me most.”

“Whilst we’re happy with where we’ve come from to lock into finals, none of that matters this weekend. No one is talking about win streaks or guarantees. 

“It’s a privilege to be part of this derby. The day builds itself. We’re looking forward to the day but also the challenge that Randwick will throw at us.”

Easts have been able to bring a number of their Super Rugby contingent into the side to play Randwick with Lalaki Foketi and Alex Newsome pairing top again in the centres and Rob Leota continuing to toil a bit closer to the action at No.8.

Taumoepeau has been pleased with the way that Leota has involved himself in recent weeks as he fits into the way that the Beasties game is structured. 

He is one big human being and will be critical to the result in this game.

Randwick coach Ben McCormack knows that the Galloping Greens scrum and mauling game will need to be on song to compete in this one.

“They’ve really improved their scrum and maul over the past 12 months and they’ve been getting some pay out of it this year, so we’ll need to be good in those areas,” McCormack said.

“But our lineout is a strength that we can play to so it should be a good match up. 

“They obviously welcome back a Super Rugby centre pairing this week as well, but I’m confident my blokes in the middle opposite them will get the job done. 

“We’ve been ticking along nicely this week and have benefited from a freshen up so I’m expecting a forward showing. 

“Twilight Derby game to finish home and away – doesn’t get much better. Should be a cracker.”

EASTERN SUBURBS (1-15):

Vunipola Fifita, Lindsey Stevens/Moli Sooaemalelagi, Archer Holz, Ryan McCauley, Jeremy Williams, Jack Digby, Sam Shires/Dean Oakman-Hunt, Rob Leota, Jack Grant (c), Cohan Guerra, Henry Paterson, Lalaki Foketi, Alex Newsome, Richie Woolf, Dan Donato.

RANDWICK (1-15):

Jake Turnbull, Dave Vea, George Hendry, Nathan Den Hoedt, Tom Nowlan, Tom Piroddi, Christian Poidevin, Jeral Skleton, Michael McDonald, Ben Donaldson, Brooklyn Hardaker, Dave Horwitz, Triston Reilly, Tom Molloy, Locky Miller.

WESTERN SYDNEY TWO BLUES V SYDNEY UNI at Lidcombe Oval

Sydney Uni are refusing to get too far ahead of themselves now that their place in the final six has been settled.

Uni’s robust but far from perfect win over Northern Suburbs last weekend saw them make the playoffs, but coach Michael Hodge is thinking of anything but who they will play in the first round of the finals on October 17.

The Students could climb to as high as third if they beat the Western Sydney Two Blues on Saturday and a number of other games go their way but Hodge says finals is the last thing on their mind.

“We’re not focused on the ladder or thinking about next week’s finals series just yet,” Hodge said.

“It was nice to get the win last week (against Norths), but it certainly wasn’t a complete performance. 

“There are areas of the game we still need to be better, and this week is focused on those. 

“The Two Blues have a big pack and will take us on at scrum time. Last week, they proved they can be very dangerous in broken play and when they shift the ball to the edge. 

“We’ll need to be aggressive in the tackle to stop any go forward from their big backrow and outside backs.”

For the Two Blues the big question for head coach Joel Rivers is how will their flyhalf Phil Pale cope on the big stage.

They lost the accomplished Rory Garrett in the first half of their loss to Eastern Suburbs last weekend at Lidcombe Oval and he will be missed.

Pale moved to the No.10 spot when Garrett went off with an ankle injury but his game management skills and kicking game is not where Rivers would like.

“We are just looking to finish on a positive note and again show we can compete with the top teams,” Rivers said.

“it would be great to get some points on the board but mainly the aim is to finish in a positive fashion which then makes our time off before pre-season a little easier to cope with.”

Tepai Moeroa was the Two Blues man of the match and Rivers will look to him to finish what has been an unusual season with some style.

WESTERN SYDNEY TWO BLUES (1-15):

Jacob Delailoa, Nick Blacklock, Kalafi Pongi (c), Tuitakaau Kioa, Irie Papuni, Riley Jacobson, Peni Tuitupou, Liam Tully, Phil Pale, Niko Dalivusa, Zac Campton, Tepai Moeroa, Joshua Delailoa, Michael Zakhia.

SYDNEY UNI (1-15):

Tom Robertson, Declan Moore, Darcy Breen, Oliver Atkins, Ratu Rotuisolia, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Jack McCalman, Rohan O’Regan, Theo Strang, Stu Dunbar, James Armstrong, Will McDonnell, Henry Clunies-Ross, Matthew Hood, Tim Clements.

WARRINGAH V NORTHERN SUBURBS at Pittwater Rugby Park

Warringah will draw the curtain on the careers of four of their most loyal servants when they take on Northern Suburbs on Saturday.

Skipper Sam Ward, Josh Holmes and Rob Kelly will take their bow in the first grade game while earlier in the day Dave Feltscheer will say his playing goodbyes in the third grade game at Rat Park.

Warringah officials have tagged it ‘The Farewell Tour’ and have produced a number of videos that celebrate all four players’ time at the club.

Warringah coach Mike Ruthven is hoping to draw on the emotional energy that is sure to be on show at Narrabeen.

Speaking to the first grade trio Ruthven said: “All three have had long, successful careers at the club and all three deserve to go out with a win at home. 

“The main message this week has been about us finishing the season on a positive note and ensuring the group play with the pride that is present at this club and more specifically in the first grade squad. 

“When the shackles are off sometimes it generates a air of confidence and an ability to just go out and play with freedom. 

“No less pressure though. We owe a good performance to ourselves and our loyal community who support us each and every week.

“North’s have proven they are a very good footy side and like to shift the ball so we have spoken a lot about our defence and our desire to be in the game for 80 minutes.”

Ruthven has been able to call in a few heavy hitters with Rory O’Connor and Sam Needs coming into the front row.

O’Connor has had some time away from footy to concentrate on his engineering studies at uni and at one stage was sounded out about joining another club.

But the time and the situation wasn’t right and he got some time on the field last weekend against Eastwood.

Needs has been trouble by a calf injury and will be needed to put some pressure on the Norths scrum which was very unstable against Sydney Uni last weekend.

Norths coach Earl Va’a has brought Jayden Lynch and Dewald Dekker into the Shoremen’s front row in an effort to fix the scrum that couldn’t dig in against the Students.

The Shoremen have also added a bit of size to their back row with the return to the starting side of Heinrich Brendel.

Norths defence worked quite well against Uni and will need to be aggressive and connected if they are to head into the finals with any sort of momentum.

They can maintain their second place on the ladder which will give them a double shot in the first week of the finals where one plays six, two plays five and three plays four.

A loss or not picking up a losing bonus point could well see them slip to as low as fifth.

The script for this one talks about a fond farewell to four of the Rats best so it will be fascinating to see how it all pans out.

WARRINGAH (1-15):

Rory O’Connor, Wes Thomas, Sam Needs, Alex O’Dell, Andrew Davies, Rory Suttor, Boyd Killingworth, Sam Ward (c), Josh Holmes, Ben Marr, Charlie Tupu, Robbie Nelson, Guy Reece, Esera Chee Kam, Tyson Davis.

NORTHERN SUBURBS (1-15): 

Jayden Lynch, James Margan, Dewald Dekker, Dave Henaway, Declan Carroll, Brad Hemopo, Heinrich Brendel, Hugh Sinclair, Nick Duffy, Angus Sinclair, Reece Mau’u, Harry Burey, Nathan Russell, Kepu Lokotui, Max Burey.

WEST HARBOUR V SOUTHERN DISTRICTS at Drummoyne Oval

Winning is infectious and West Harbour coach Mark Gudmunson says he is liking the feeling as he readies his team to take on Southern Districts on Saturday.

Wests have not dropped a game throughout the entire club for three rounds and Gudmunson says the joy of playing footy has been rediscovered by his chanrges.

“As a club, we can’t wait to get on the field,” Gudmunson said.

“People will say we have played the bottom teams in the last month, but the club has not dropped a point in any grade.

“Everybody is talking about Southern Districts heavy injury toll, but we have had our fair share of players succumb to injury as well either for the season or in important blocks of the season.

“But we have just got on with the job each week and not complained about it. 

“When you play a contact sport and you go hard every weekend and every training session, people are going to break. 

“If you just focus on the results on the table, it was a tough year. If you look round by round, it is a different story. Two more wins and a few more bonus points and we are talking finals.”

At Southern Districts the interesting selection that Todd Louden has made this week is the naming of Waratahs squad member and emerging hooker and prop Joe Cotton in his back row.

They also welcome back Sama Malolo at No.8 after he had the week off because of a blue card against Northern Suburbs two weeks ago.

Up until his head knock against Norths Malolo was pretty close to best on ground and his running game against a big West Harbour will be crucial to the way this game goes.

Louden said: “It’s been a tough season given what we have been through as a club on top of what all clubs have been through with the pandemic.

“Wests as my old club really has nothing to do with it for me and definitely the players have no consideration for that being a factor.

“Due to injuries our lack of cohesion in elements of our play has been a massive challenge – but the club has been fighting through this.

“We just have to play our game as best we can. We do that we can win.”

WEST HARBOUR (1-15): 

Sonny Satuala, Tametai Lomax, Cameron Betham, Otto Wendt, Jordan Sharp, Tavite Gadeisuva, Damien Flemming, Francis Iremia Saufio, Dion Spice, Patrick Pellegrini, James Turner, Cooper Henwood, Connor Chittenden, Justin Tuvae, Josh Petero.

SOUTHERN DISTRICTS (1-15):

Laurence Tominiko, Andrew Tuala, Tetera Faulkner, Max Freeman, Jake Douglas, Phil Potgieter, Joe Cotton, Sama Malolo, Liam O’Connor, Christian Kagiassis, Zak Hickey, Sam Tabuatamata, Nathan Lawson, Deon Evans-Ao, Liam Moseley.

PENRITH V HUNTER WILDFIRES at Nepean Rugby Park

Hunter Wildfires coach Scott Coleman says his side is treating their final round game against Penrith on Saturday at the foot of the mountains with all the respect of a grand final.

Both sides are keen to finish their return to the Shute Shield this year on a high and despite the results not going either teams’ way in recent weeks it is looking like a quality game.

The Emus are yet to get a breakthrough win this season and last week were over run by a rampant Gordon side 97-0.

But as Highlanders coach Darren Coleman observed in the wake of that game he feels that there is definitely signs of life at Nepean Rugby Park.

At the Wildfires they have secured one win and a draw and have been robust in all their games. Coleman is a winning coach and with more time to prepare this side will be better and capable of challenging for the finals. 

“Yes we are definitely looking to finish on a high but I’m sure both teams are looking at this one as a grand final,” Coleman said.

“But before that we do anything we have to be patient with the ball and match their physicality. 

“Penrith have danger men at 10, 15 and 12 plus their big ball running forwards so yeah it’s shaping to be a good game.”

Coleman is right about the No.12 at the Emus and in the likes of Terry Fanolua, Dean Blore, Jeremiah Fa’amausili and Luke Nadurutalo there is the makings of a competitive side.

Some of the rough edges need to be knocked off but I can see the Emus racking up more than a handful off wins if they get a fair crack at things in 2021.

On Saturday though the Wildfires must be favoured.

PENRITH (1-15):

David Tifa, Ezekiel Seia, Macia Latabua, Lucas Castle, Tofua Fifita, Andrew Fiagatusa, John Tuivaiti, Sosifa Funaki, Terry Fanolua, Dean Blore, Jeremiah Fa’amausili, Luke Nadurutalo, Api Bera, Jale Seninawanawa, Masi Fidow.

HUNTER WILDFIRES (1-15): 

David Puchert, Phillip Bradford, Nicholas Dobson, Jeremy Burrill, Adam Edwards, Alec Corcoran, Shawn Ingle, George Noa, Paul Dan, Brendan Holliday, Hamish McKie, Taulogo Lalaga, Chase Hicks, Nimilote Qio, Taylor Acheson.

MANLY has the bye

IMAGE: SERGE GONZALEZ / EASTWOOD RUGBY