Ben Batger was the competition’s second highest point-scorer in 2013
Photo: seiserphotography.com

by Brendan Bradford –

Two heavyweights face off in the Shute Shield Grand Final this Saturday, but a telling disparity remains.

Sydney University and Eastwood have created history in becoming the only two clubs contesting Grand Finals in all four grades, but while the Students will field a first grade starting side littered with Super Rugby players, Eastwood boasts just one – Benn Robinson. Make no mistakes, it’s a battle of the ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots.’

“Yes it is,” agrees Eastwood coach John Manenti.

“But then you could probably say that with us against most clubs in the comp really. We run on the sniff of an oily rag and you just can’t knock the joint. I know it’s probably par for the course for Uni to be in four Grand Finals, but for Eastwood, it’s certainly something special and it goes to show how hard everyone’s worked behind the scenes.”

What Eastwood lacks in money and training facilities it makes up for in steely resolve and a team unity bordering on the tribal. Indeed, the club’s status as a battler spurs it on.

“They (Uni) have got 20 Super Rugby players to choose from and they’re all quality,” says Manenti.

“They’re fit and strong and have a bench that Super teams would be pleased with. In saying that, we hold no fear of them and I could probably say there’s plenty of our guys who should be playing Super Rugby that aren’t and in another day or different era, it would be our guys picked and their guys trying to get into Super teams.”

Locky McCaffrey has been a standout for Eastwood all season – Photo: seiserphotography.com

Bustling backrower Locky McCaffrey is one of those players. Singled out by Manenti as the Minor Premiers’ best player against Manly last weekend, McCaffrey was ousted from the Waratahs and the Force by Michael Foley, but his club form this season ought to have Super Rugby scouts intrigued. The 23-year old agrees there’s a special bond at T.G. Millner that will guide the Woods to victory.

“I’ve played for Eastwood every year since I was eight,” he says.

“A lot of the boys in grade at the moment played at the club from Under-9s to Under-17s, compared to Sydney Uni (who) get them out of school. From fourth grade to first, we’re just a really close-knit club and having mates who really love pulling on the jersey and playing for Eastwood is a lot more important than having big-name players in the team.”

High-scoring fullback Ben Batger puts it succinctly: “They’ve got Super Rugby guys on the bench and we’ve got pretty much 15 amateurs,” he says.

“We don’t have the professional players or great facilities of the other clubs, but we’re a really tight-knit bunch and it’s a real credit to the club and the people who run the club that we’ve got all four grades in there.”

While solidarity and self-belief is important, it isn’t unique to Eastwood. Sydney University are as passionate as any team, and despite the fact the Woods have beaten the Students six times in a row going back to 2010, what matters most is who turns up to play on Saturday afternoon. The difference will be – as it always is – on the field. In the forwards to be more precise.

Benn Robinson packing down opposite Waratahs teammate Paddy Ryan is just one of many tantalising battles up front. Eastwood lock Jared Barry has been a standout all season but Uni’s Liam Winton has been just as impressive while the showdown between the 2013 Catchpole Medalist Hugh Perrett and Dave Dennis at blindside will be crucial. Add young tyros Hugh Roach – the Shute Shield Rookie of the Year – and David Hickey in the number seven jerseys with McCaffrey opposite Tim Davidson at No. 8 and an epic encounter awaits. 

“It will be a huge challenge for us,” says McCaffrey.

“We know how to play Uni and the record shows that, but this is a step up and it’s almost a different team compared to the one we played during the year. It will be a big game up front. Against Southern Districts it was won in the forwards and against Manly – who had Rebels players coming in – it was the same. For having no big names, we get over some big packs and we’ve just got one more job to do.”