The June long weekend comes just over halfway through the 2023 Shute Shield regular season and we’ve now had plenty of time to take a look at all 12 sides. 

So with no matches over the weekend, we thought we’d pull together a list of the 50 most influential players in the Shute Shield, based solely off their performances so far this season. 

The list was compiled based on conversations with all 12 Shute Shield coaches and a number of key competition statistics. 

To be eligible for the list, players must have played at least five of the 10 competition games so far this season. 

10. Otu Mausia – Western Sydney

After earning three caps for Tonga on last year’s Spring Tour, new Two Blues fullback Otu Mausia has added  more class to an exciting Western Sydney backline. The 26-year old, who is playing for a spot in Toutai Kefu’s World Cup squad, ranks in the top 10 for running metres, kicking metres and offloads and seems to score or set up a try in every game he plays. 

9. Milan Basson – Gordon

After spending the past few seasons playing behind Jordy Goddard at Chatswood, Milan Basson has been the competition’s biggest improver this season and should be right in the Catchpole Medal race. Basson ranks second for both tackles made and pilfers and third for dominant tackles. 

8. Coby Miln – Randwick

A stint in Japan last summer did the world of good for Randwick flyhalf Coby Miln who has led the Galloping Greens rise up the Shute Shield ladder. Miln is the competition’s top point scorer and averages more than 10 points a game so far this season. While he does concede more turnovers than any other player, he also has bucketloads of X factor and sparks most of Randwick’s attacking raids. 

7. Ofa Manuofetoa – Manly 

Manly No.12 Ofa Manuofetoa has been one of the Marlins’ best in the opening 10 rounds. Manuofetoa was signed by the Newcastle Knights while still a schoolboy rugby star in New Zealand. He returned to rugby at Sydney Uni, then followed coach Chris DeLooze to Manly this year. He ranks in the top 10 for carries and metres gained and when he grows tired of running over defenders, he starts to pass and kick as well as any other No.12 in the competition. He’s got it all. 

6. Issac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens – Southern Districts

Rebels recruit Issac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens has been a standout week in week out since joining the Shute Shield from New Zealand. The fullback has run for more metres than any other player in the competition and averages more 124 metres gained per match. He also ranks third for tackles broken, eighth for carries and leaves his mark on every match he plays. 

5. Donny Freeman – Hunter

Every rugby side wants a Donny Freeman. The No.7 from Orange is dominant on both sides of the ball and ranks in the top 10 for pilfers and tackle breaks. Still only 23, he’s a bigger version of former Norths’ skipper Will Miller and looks destined for professional rugby. Sadly, a syndesmosis injury will keep him on the sidelines for the next little period, in a big blow for Hunter’s premiership hopes. 

4. Cormac Daly – Randwick 

Randwick coach Stephen Hoiles wanted his young Randwick side to be tougher this year and Irish recruit Cormac Daly has led the development of that part of the Galloping Green’s game. The 25-year old lock ranks in the top 10 for carries, dominant tackles, pilfers and lineout takes. He’s also scored five tries and has played every minute of the 2023 season so far. He’s turned Randwick into a genuine premiership threat. 

3. Jude Gibbs – Northern Suburbs

After jumping over the bridge to join Norths from Sydney Uni, 22-year old flyhalf Jude Gibbs has ensured Norths’ remain a premiership threat. Gibbs is second on the top pointscorer list and has the best kicking game in the Shute Shield. His game management, particularly for a playmaker so young, is exceptional and exactly what professional clubs are looking for. On top of that, he’s studying to become a doctor and can probably sing and play guitar too. 

2. Michael Icely – Eastwood

Woodies backrower Michael Icely has been in career best form in the Shute Shield this season. He sits equal first on the top tryscorers list, ranks in the top five for dominant tackles and linebreaks and leads the competition in lineout steals. Still just 26, Icely has a lot more footy ahead of him and hopefully it’s in Australia. 

1. Zac Barnabas – Manly

A good Shute Shield source on the Northern Beaches believes Zac Barnabas is the best on the ball No.7 he’s ever seen play at Manly Oval and that list includes George Smith and Michael Hooper. That’s a massive wrap for a 22-year old, but Barnabas’ form so far this year has been that good. He’s claimed 16 pilfers in 9 matches, some of which he played from the bench. He’s also scored seven tries and consistently arrives at defensive rucks faster than any other player in the competition. It’s worth enjoying watching Barnabas in the Shute Shield while we’ve got him, before he follows the likes of Smith and Hooper on to a bigger stage.